The Lions just played better than the Cowboys today.  The defense stopped Tony Romo about 2 yards short of the endzone on the second to last play of the game on a 4th and goal.  Jon Kitna had a great game as he completed 28 of 42 passes for 306 yards with 4 TDs and 1 INT.  He also ran the ball 5 times for 25 yards (5.0 ypc).  Aveion Cason split the carries with Arlen Harris.  Cason carried the ball 10 times for 31 yards (3.1 ypc).  Arlen Harris carried the ball 10 times for 29 yards (2.9 ypc) and caught 4 passes for 38 yards.  Roy Williams had a great game with 6 catches for 104 yards and 2 TDs.  Mike Furrey was also outstanding with 11 catches for 102 yards and a TD.  Mike Williams even got in on the action with 2 grabs for 28 yards and a TD.

Paris Lenon led the way on the defense for the Lions with 6 tackles and a fumble recovery.  Kalimba Edwards also had a real solid game with 5 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.  The Lions did a great job defending the run as the Cowboys ran the ball 21 times for only 58 yards (2.8 ypc).  The Cowboys did throw the ball well as they completed 23 of 32 passes for 307 net yards passing.

The Detroit Lions have lost 7 games in a row and probably can’t wait until their game is over Sunday so they can go home.  The Cowboys have lost 2 of their last 3 games and are jockeying for playoff position after losing the division lead last week against Philly.

The Lions have no running game at all, so it will likely be bombs away for the Lions.  Jon Kitna (3,902 yards passing) is attempting to be only the second Lions QB to ever throw for over 4,000 yards (Scott Mitchell is the other).  Kitna should have success throwing against the Cowboys secondary that is allowing 215.3 net yards passing per game.  The only problem for Kitna will be moving around in the pocket to buy time as the Lions have allowed him to be sacked 58 times this season.  Mike Furrey (87 rec, 984 yards) and Roy Williams (76 rec, 1,206 yards) should have good games against the Cowboys.

The Cowboys will probably just go with the same gameplan that got them to the playoffs.  They will run and throw the ball.  Julius Jones (1,057 yards rushing) and Marion Barber (639 yards rushing) should both have good games against a Lions defense that is allowing 130.1 yards rushing per game and 4.1 yards per carry.  The Lions pass defense isn’t much better (214.2 net yards passing) so Tony Romo should be able to spread the ball around to Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Jason Witten.

The Cowboys should win this football game by a wide margin.

 

The Lions played hard in yesterday’s game with the Bears, but the Bears were just a little bit better.  Jon Kitna had perhaps his best game as a Lion as he completed 27 of 45 passes for 283 yards with 3 TD passes.  The Lions’ running game didn’t produce a whole lot.  Arlen Harris led the way with 10 carries for 44 yards (4.4 ypc) and he caught 5 passes for 26 yards.  Aveion Cason pitched in with 5 carries for 31 yards (6.2 ypc).  Mike Furrey led the way for the receivers with 10 catches for 107 yards and a TD.  Roy Williams also had a good game with 6 catches for 79 yards and a TD.  TE Dan Campbell pitched in with 2 grabs for 31 yards and a TD.

The defense didn’t play too well for the Lions yesterday.  The Bears carried the ball 30 times for 116 yards (3.9 ypc).  The Bears did well throwing the ball against the Lions as they completed 26 of 45 passes for 238 net yards passing.

The Lions fell to 2-13 on the season with this loss. 

Defensive tackle Marcus Bell and offensive lineman Barry Stokes have both been placed on the Injured Reserve list ending their seasons.  Barry Stokes started 11 games for the Lions this season and injured his ankle pretty badly as he will be done for the season.   Marcus Bell started 7 games for the Lions this year and had 39 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

The Lions will miss these guys because the lines have both been ravaged by injuries this season.