Lions vs Cowboys : NFC Wildcard Pick and Breakdown

This Lions vs Cowboys match up is likely the most anticipated of this NFL Wildcard weekend, kick-off happens at 4:40PM ET at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Lions vs Cowboys : NFC Wildcard Pick and Breakdown

The Cowboys come into Sunday’s second NFC wild card game against the Detroit Lions with injuries on both sides of the ball.

Rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens could miss the game. Defensive tackle Henry Melton was placed on injured reserve this past week will not play the rest of the season. Right tackle Doug Free has been bothered by a foot injury that has sidelined him the past two weeks.

One more thing working against the Cowboys: Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who originally had been suspended for the game for stomping on the leg of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, had his appeal upheld. Suh was fined $70,000 and is now clear to play.

[box style=’info’]This second set of Wild Card games are being televised starting with the AFC Cincinnati Bengals at the Indianapolis Colts at 1:05 PM (ET) on CBS. This evening the NFC game is the Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys at 4:40 PM (ET) on FOX.[/box]

The Cowboys have their Demons (and Monkeys)

 

The Cowboys have done a great job of getting some of the most recent monkeys off their backs this season, including Romo playing in clutch scenarios, Bryant and Murray performing consistently, and the Cowboys Defensive units standing up consistently, but there is still two massive demons to slay.

Winning as the favorite against good competition and winning a playoff game.

Every time the Cowboys are favorites against playoff caliber teams they seem to lose. One could argue the Colts but I wouldn’t say they were the favorites. The Cowboys have always been good at playing as the underdogs but I can’t remember the last time they beat a great team when everyone thought they would.

Of course the other is winning in the post season.

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Get all of our NFL Wildcard Weekend Playoff Picks and stay tuned for our game by game breakdowns leading right up to Superbowl XLIX

Saturday, January 3rd, 2015
Cardinals vs Panthers: NFC Wildcard
Raven vs Steelers : AFC Wildcard

Sunday, January 4th, 2015
Lion vs Cowboys : NFC Wildcard
Bengals vs Colts : AFC Wildcard
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Unfortunately, there have been many opportunities but one playoff win in the Romo era isn’t going to stop the doubters. This team has to prove they have what it takes to be a true contender for a Super Bowl and this has been the best team they’ve had since 2007. If they’re going to slay that demon, today is the day to do it.

The Cowboys have been fun to watch and have had a great season. Should the Cowboys lose to The Lions be prepared for all of this media praise and recognition the boys have received to be forgotten in an instant.

Betting Lines and Odds

 

  1. Dallas (12-4) comes in as a -6.5 (-115) favorite against Detroit (11-5) with 72% of bettor agreeing
  2. The moneyline favors also Dallas with 61% of bettors
  3. The Over/Under at 48 has the bettors favoring the OVER in 58%

#DETvsDAL Fast Facts

 

  1. The Cowboys were a perfect 8-0 on the road this season, but just 4-4 at AT&T Stadium
  2. Quarterback Tony Romo led the league in quarterback rating this season
  3. Running back DeMarco Murray led the league in rushing and broke Emmitt Smith’s team record
  4. Wide receiver Dez Bryant led the league in receiving touchdowns.

Our NFC Wildcard Pick:

 

If Suh and the Detroit defense can shut down the Cowboys offense, specifically pass rushing Romo and putting consistent pressure in the pocket then the Lions can win this. I’m expecting this game to be a high flying offensive game. Take the OVER at 48 points.

Should Romo, Murray and Bryant keep it together and perform the way they have all season look for the Cowboys to win this match-up by a solid touchdown. We’re going with the public on this call. Take the Cowboys on the Moneyline.

Since we’re 0-2 on our NFL Wildcard picks having missed the call on my NFC Wildcard pick with the Cardinals losing to Carolina and the Steelers falling to the surprising Ravens you may want to fade the pick above 🙂

What do you think?

Written by Dan Nedelko

Insanely curious, always absorbing and learning Dan is a writer, photographer, coder, sports and science fan. You can find Dan on Twitter @Dannomatic.

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