What to Watch For: Detroit vs Dallas

Despite Calvin Johnson's best efforts, including a fourth-quarter touchdown amidst three Bengals defenders, the Lions fell to Cincinnati 27-24 last Sunday. Johnson caught nine receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns in the loss for Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

It was another heart-breaking loss for the Detroit Lions last Sunday. Both the Lions and Cincinnati Bengals came into the contest with 4-2 records, and fans of each team knew it would be fight to the end.

And, in the end, it wasn't necessary another L in the loss column that hurt the most, but the manner in which it happened: the Lions just had to toy with the emotions of their fans, shifting from probable loss to probable win to loss again. It started with just over six minutes remaining when Cincinnati began a drive which seemingly commenced to spell defeat for the Lions.

Cincinnati began it's drive with an 11 yard carry from running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. After a false start for the Bengals, a 22 yard pass from quarterback Andy Dalton to tight end Jermaine Gresham put Cincinnati at their own 39. Two runs and two more pass plays to the tight ends, who had burned Detroit linebackers all day, later, the Bengals found themselves in a third down and one situation at the Lions 38 yard line.

Cincinnati was then called for a false start, pushing them back to the Detroit 43. Ndamukong Suh then came up big on the next play, sacking Dalton for an eight yard loss, the only sack of the day for either team. The Bengals punted, and with 1:43 remaining, Detroit had new life and a shot to win the game, starting on their own six yard line.

Unfortunately, the Lions managed only one first down as quarterback Matthew Stafford had to throw two passes away behind an unhealthy offensive line. The Bengals stopped the clock with a timeout, and after a 28 yard punt by rookie punter Sam Martin, Cincinnati began what turned out to be the game-winning drive one yard shy of midfield.

Two quick passes by Dalton set up kicker Mike Nugent for a 54 yard field goal, and after a timeout by head coach Jim Schwartz to ice Nugent, the Bengals kicker hit the field goal as time expired for a Cincinnati victory, dropping the Lions to 4-3.

It was a rough game to watch because Detroit had a legitimate shot to win the game, or at least take it into overtime by running out the clock. But, in classic Lions fashion, an 82 yard touchdown by the Bengals and a shanked kick defined the game, and Detroit found themselves wondering how they let another game slip away.

Despite the loss, the NFL is a league in which teams need a short memory as every week counts in a 16-game schedule. Upcoming for the Lions are the Dallas Cowboys. Like Detroit, the Cowboys are 4-3, and also like Detroit, the Cowboys rely heavily on their passing attack to win games.

Dallas is 8^th in the NFL in passing yards and 24^th in rushing yards while the Lions are 5^th and 21^st, respectively.

So what should you watch for as Detroit hosts Dallas on Sunday?

1. How do the Lions stop receiver Dez Bryant? – Bryant is a fantastic receiver, earlier this week comparing himself to Calvin Johnson. If you look at their numbers, a debate could be made, although Bryant doesn't demand double-teams on every play like Johnson. But, Bryant possesses similar big-play ability to Megatron, and it will be interesting to see how Detroit lines up opposite the Dallas receiver, especially given my next point. I do expect to see quite a bit of over-the-top safety help from the Lions.
2. Will cornerback Chris Houston start? – Houston was burned on Cincinnati's fifth offensive play of the game for an 82 yard touchdown to Bengals receiver A.J. Green. While Green is another top-notch receiver, Houston was beat by a double-move, something head coach Jim Schwartz said the team worked on all week. Houston was then benched at halftime in favor of rookie Darius Slay, who played the rest of the game, leading many to question whether or not Houston will start this week.
3. Who will start at offensive tackle for the Lions? – Right tackle Corey Hilliard left last week's game with a knee injury and it doesn't look like he'll be back this week. Left tackle Riley Reiff is hurt with a hamstring issue, so whether or not he will start is another question which faces Detroit. Thus, it looks like undrafted rookie LaAdrian Waddle will start, either on the left side or right side. The Lions also signed a tackle this week – five-year veteran Barry Richardson – and he could see action as well. Even with a banged up offensive line last week, Detroit held a very good front four for the Cincinnati Bengals to no sacks.

This is a must win game at home for the Lions, especially if they want to head into their bye week on a high note. The secondary could be problematic in facing gun-slinging quarterback Tony Romo, and the offensive line is still obviously a concern. The Cowboys are fairly stout against the run, and when Detroit struggles to get Reggie Bush going, the Lions don't have the offensive balance they need to succeed and are much too one dimensional. With all that being said, this game will be a shootout in Detroit. The Cowboys narrowly lost to Denver, 51-48, in week five, and with two porous secondaries, Stafford and Romo could have big days on Sunday. My final prediction: Dallas 38, Detroit 34.