LION TAMERS

BY MARK HALPERN

During the Dallas game this past Saturday, the Cowboys looked locked in as the fifth seed heading into the playoffs. However, a win last week and the Eagles losing to the Cardinals has given the Cowboys a chance to win the NFC East. 

      There is no question in my mind that this Lions offense is one of the fastest offensive teams in football. They are a young group (except for Goff), and they will get better. The Dallas defense was all over Goff, whether he was being sacked, hurried, or even having to throw the ball away, is what kept Dallas in this game. Goff didn’t have his best day, throwing for 271 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the game. The Lion’s running game did well, and can anyone stop the speed of Williams and St. Brown? I don’t think so, and when you throw LaPorta in the mix, this offense is potent.

    The Cowboys played a great game on both sides of the ball. Dak Prescott will get some MVP votes this year because of his play. Dak threw for 345 yards, two TDs, and one interception. Dak told everyone that Cee Dee Lamb is as dangerous as any receiver as Lamb had 13 rec for 221 yards and a TD. If the offense had any fault, it was the running game, as it only produced 60 yards on the ground. The Cowboys have changed their identity, and I love it.

    The defense still needs the pressure they were at the beginning of the season and has less than two sacks a game over the last five weeks. The Cowboys have relied on the secondary to keep them in it, as they are the NO-FLY ZONE. The Dallas Offensive line did a great job in giving Dak the time. The team wasted no time and brought back a Dallas favorite La,’ el Collins, and he needs to pass a physical and can get back to business with a very familiar group. 

However, the Cowboys won this game because of the simplest of mistakes by the Lions. The Lions had scored with under a minute to go and decided to go for the 2-point conversion. Two of the three players checked in with the referee, but #70 did not, and because of this, the go-ahead two-point penalty was considered a five-yard penalty. The Lions tried again to get the two points but were now six yards instead of one yard out, and Dallas stopped the next attempt and ran out the clock. I have seen many penalties before, but this was a new one. 

The Cowboys have a chance to do something that, five weeks ago, no one thought would be possible. Dallas faces the Commanders next weekend, and when Dallas wins, they will win the NFC EAST and could have at least two home playoff games.