Preview: Can Lions Extend Cowboys' Losing Streak?

Previewing Cowboys-Lions showdown with Cowboys Country.

Harrison Reno covers the Dallas Cowboys for Cowboys Country. He answered five questions from All Lions to preview Saturday's matchup between Detroit and Dallas.

1.) What has contributed to the Cowboys two-game losing streak?

The biggest contributor to the Cowboys’ two-game losing streak has been their inability to find consistent offensive output on the road as they do at home. Without playing in front of a home crowd, it seems the Cowboys dumb down their offense in the sense of not utilizing motion nearly as much and resorting to a silent snap count, as it seems they want to avoid pre-snap penalties.

2.) Why are Cowboys so dominant at home?

A lot of credit for the Cowboys' dominance at home this season goes to coach and play-caller Mike McCarthy, as he consistently finds a way to bring the best out of his offense inside AT&T Stadium.

When at home, the Cowboys can run their full offensive system due to a friendly crowd, which at its best uses a lot of pre-snap motion and the “here we go” cadence from quarterback Dak Prescott. When the offense is firing on all cylinders, the Cowboys are at their best, which has mostly come on their home turf.

3.) Has Dak Prescott quieted critics with his play this season?

There will always be those who are critical of Prescott unless (or until) he can lead the Cowboys back to a Super Bowl. However, in regards to those who were very critical of him amid his unusual turnover-filled season a year ago, his play has done enough to silence that crowd. With a league-leading 30 passing touchdowns to just seven interceptions so far, Prescott hasn’t given the critics much ammunition.

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4.) Micah Parsons has been exceptional this season. How will the Lions' offensive line, which has played well all year, fare in your opinion?

Exceptional certainly feels like a fitting description of how Parsons has played this season. Parsons is tied for seventh in the league with 13 sacks and is No. 1 in total quarterback pressures.

However, despite both teams doing it differently, he has been held relatively quiet amid the Cowboys' two-game losing streak.

For the Buffalo Bills, the plan was to attack the Cowboys with their physical rushing attack, as evidenced by their 266 yards on 49 attempts. In contrast, the Miami Dolphins still featured their passing attack, highlighted by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but did it in a way where the Cowboys' pass rush didn’t have much time to rush the passer. In Week 16, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had the fastest average time to throw in the league at 2.25 seconds.

For a Lions offense that can beat teams with its ground game or through the air, their offensive line has what it takes to limit Parsons. But that is easier said than done.

5.) How will this game play out, and what will the final score be?

The chess match between Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is what I am most looking forward to seeing play out. As the saying goes, “styles win fights.” If that adage holds up in football, then with the versatile Lions' offense, it is hard for me to see the Cowboys win this game.

After seeing how the Bills essentially bullied the Cowboys' defense with their run game, I lean toward Detroit winning this game with their one-two punch in the backfield and impressive offensive line. While I see the Lions winning on Saturday, I think it will be a back-and-forth game, but with Detroit leaving AT&T Stadium with a 34-24 win over the Cowboys.