One staff is utilizing this season to point out folks that they aren’t who they’ve all the time been. The opposite is hoping this postseason received’t finish prefer it normally does — with embarrassment. When Detroit travels to Dallas in two weeks, we’ll have a greater concept of which staff is destined to repeat historical past.
As of proper now, the Cowboys (NFC East) and the Lions (NFC North) sit atop their divisions, locked firmly into the postseason as Dallas (10-3) is the No. 2 seed within the NFC with Detroit (9-4) hanging round at No. 3. The final time these two franchises met within the postseason, the Lions misplaced to the Cowboys on the street within the Wild Card spherical of the 2014 playoffs. The time earlier than that, it was the final time Detroit received a postseason recreation, a 38-6 win over Dallas within the Silverdome in 1991.
Lions followers would lose their minds in the event that they beat the Cowboys within the postseason. However earlier than that may occur, Detroit — and Dallas — ought to concentrate on their upcoming matchup in Texas.
For the Lions, 2023 has been proof that their fortunes may very well be altering as they’re constructing off their 9-8 end from final 12 months. That time was magnified after they upset the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on the street within the season opener. However, losses to good groups like Seattle and Baltimore, and common and not-so-good groups like Inexperienced Bay (at dwelling on Thanksgiving) and Chicago, are proof that the Lions nonetheless haven’t had a win over a “good staff” since September.
This weekend, Detroit welcomes a Denver staff that wants each win it might get to remain within the playoff hunt, because the Lions are coming off a head-scratching loss to Chicago. “You realize what, I must push it a bit of extra. I simply must be a bit of extra irritable,” mentioned Lions coach Dan Campbell after the sport. “Which I can try this.”
I assume we’ll see on Saturday night time. After that, Detroit heads to Minnesota for the primary of their two conferences within the last three weeks of the season, because the Vikings additionally want as many wins as they’ll get to make the postseason. After enjoying Denver and in between lining up in opposition to Minnesota two instances in 15 days, sit the Cowboys who’re on a five-game successful streak.
For Dallas, issues may get fascinating earlier than Detroit involves city. On Sunday, they journey to Buffalo to play a determined Payments staff. After that, they head to Miami to play a Dolphins staff that may rating greater than anyone on any given day, establishing a showdown between among the greatest offensive and defensive items within the league. After which the Lions come to the city.
So much can occur between now and December thirtieth. However regardless of if one or each of the groups are on dropping or successful streaks, it’s a recreation that they each must win. Dallas must put some area between itself and the Lions. Detroit must beat one other good staff. It’s a night recreation on a vacation weekend that can air on ABC and ESPN — everybody can be watching.
And as a consequence of what occurred on Thursday Evening Soccer, these two groups have one thing else in frequent — enjoying the Los Angeles Chargers this season. Oddly sufficient, the staff that permit the Raiders dangle 63 on them performed the Lions and Cowboys powerful, as they nonetheless had their franchise quarterback on the time. Dallas beat Los Angeles, 20-17 , in Week 6, and Detroit beat them, 41-38, in Week 10.
For years, the Dallas Cowboys have been a postseason proverbial letdown. All of the hype from the season normally ends with unhappy fan reactions and steady trolling from Stephen A. Smith. For Detroit, it’s been a long time of torture, because the fan base has been praying for a season like this to show to the remainder of the league that these aren’t the “similar ole Lions.” All of that can be at stake in just a few weeks. For one shade of blue, a win may imply every part. For the opposite, a first-round bye may very well be in play. For each, it may wind up being the largest recreation of the common season.