As a dangerous Dallas Cowboys team comes to town, all eyes will be on Matthew Stafford as the Detroit Lions could be without their starting quarterback for the second straight game.
It finally happened to the Detroit Lions, for the first time since the last game of the 2010 season, and the results were as to be expected. In the throes of one of his finest seasons, quarterback Matthew Stafford was forced to sit out for the first time in 136 contests due to a back injury, with his return date unclear.
Losers of five of their last six games, the Lions seem likely to be without Stafford again this Sunday as they welcome the Dallas Cowboys to town, who are tied atop the NFC East at 5-4. Jeff Driskel is on track to start again after a rocky performance in last week’s 20-13 loss to the Chicago Bears.
With the playoffs essentially out of the question, the Lions seem more and more likely to shift into evaluation mode with each passing week, though wins and the development of head coach Matt Patricia’s program will continue to be the main priority.
A tough test awaits in the Cowboys, who field some of the league’s most dynamic offensive players at their respective positions.
Can the Lions overcome Stafford’s absence and compete with a talented Dallas team? Here, and each week, we’ll scout each team’s offense, defense, and special teams units, how they match up against each other and offer two players to watch from each squad.