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SI Lions Maven Predictions: Cowboys-Lions
On the heels of a 100-plus yard performance on the ground from Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys beat the Lions in this week 11 tilt.
Cowboys 27, Lions 17
Another week with no Matthew Stafford and another week with no chance for a Lions victory.
To keep it simple, the Lions' 30th-ranked defense will not be able to slow down the NFL's top ranked offense. With no run game and a compromised passing attack, Detroit will have to pull out a miracle to outscore the Cowboys. Cowboys 31 , Lions 16
The heart and soul of this team is out with a back injury. This makes things quite simple this week.
The Lions' run defense cannot stop a nose bleed, and Ezekiel Elliott is coming to town.
Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper hook up at least once, while Elliott scores as well. Cowboys 38, Lions 17
Matthew Stafford is out, and that means there is no chance for the Lions to upset the Dallas Cowboys.
Ezekiel Elliott will run all over Detroit’s defense, and when they adjust to stop the run, Dak Prescott will air it out.
Jeff Driskel has had a week to prepare, but he can’t move this offense like Stafford can.
If Detroit wants to win, it'll have to limit the turnovers and control the clock, which won’t happen. Cowboys 28, Lions 13
When Matthew Stafford is leading Detroit's offense, the Lions are almost always going to stick around against any team in the league.
However, without him, they're a bottom-feeder in the NFL.
Dallas' potent, balanced offense will feast against a Lions defense struggling to find an identity.
The Cowboys should win comfortably. Cowboys 38, Lions 13
Nobody thinks the Lions will win against the Cowboys. Nobody should predict the Lions winning this week.
Hell, most do not think the Lions will even be competitive against the Cowboys.
Without Stafford, all seems hopeless.
The Cowboys feature the No. 1 ranked offense in the NFL, and the Lions feature one of the worst defenses in the league.
Despite what many are predicting, this game should be competitive. A full week of preparation should aid backup Jeff Driskel tremendously.
Matt Patricia has his team playing hard, and the "pad levels" are improving. But despite the state of the pad levels, the Lions are losing this week.
Cowboys 27, Lions 23
