Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys: 3 key matchups for Week 7

Matchup 3: Charles Harris vs Tyler Smith 

As mentioned earlier, a lot of talk has been had over changes coming to the defense. The hope is  changes can ignite an aspect of the Lions’ defense that has laid dormant despite being heralded as a strength in the offseason: the pass rush. Aside from a glimmer of hope in Week 2 against the Commanders, it has been difficult for the Lions to generate pressure with a four-man rush.

It sounds like reinforcements are on the way, in the form of John Cominsky and Josh Paschal. Those two should provide some much-needed push from the interior, and free up Charles Harris to try and recapture some of the magic he had last season. In addition to the reinforcements Detroit will hopefully have, the Cowboys have struggled in pass protection this season. They literally have the worst pass block win rate in the league, via ESPN Analytics, and by a good margin at that.

Lining up opposite Harris will be rookie Tyler Smith, who was taken 24th overall in April’s draft. So far this season Smith has provided Dallas with steady play, but he’s been better as a run blocker than a pass protector. Opportunities will be available for Harris to make an impact, he just needs to step up and take advantage of them.