It looks like the Dallas Cowboys are going to be going into a game short-handed for the second straight week. Although this game is at home, it will be a lot tougher than the matchup they had on Sunday Night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Detroit Lions are coming to town, a team that many picked to win the NFC before the season kicked off. They are sitting at 3-and-1 in the season, and their offense looks like one of the best in football, at least it did the last time folks watched them on television.
Detroit had a bye week, and came into this game back healthy and ready to stay on the heels of the undefended Minnesota Vikings.
Against the Seahawks, the Lions’ offense was able to break out and score 42 points. It was their highest offensive output of the season when it happened.
With that said, the Cowboys are going to need all hands on deck like last week, other role players are going to have to step up and make a difference if this team wants to have a chance to win this game on Sunday.
Osa Odighizuwa
Yes, Osa Odighizuwa is still a role player, a very good one for the Dallas Cowboys. Coming off a game where he was double-teamed on 12 of the 24 pass rush attempts.
Without Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys are going to need him to possibly have a career night against that Lions offense. Both in the run and pass game.
He posted 46 total tackles, 13 quarterback hits and nine tackles for loss in 2023, all career-highs. Odighizuwa was behind star edge rusher Micah Parsons in quarterback hits and third in tackles last season.
Through the first five games this season, he had 14 tackles and half a sack. I am not expecting a three-sack performance out of him this week, but be good against the Lions rushing offense.
Make some good tackles for loss, and be that guy who the defensive line can lean on with the others out.
Terence Steele
Terence Steele, I am begging you dude, please just play one game that make you looks like you deserve that contract you got a few years ago.
I get it, it was T.J. Watt last week, but Steele was not good before that! Half the pressure on Dak Prescott should not be coming from your side.
He is the second-most tenured veteran on that offensive line, he will need to be good this week, facing another good pass rush with Aidan Hutchinson who already has 6.5 sacks this season.
He is long-removed from that ACL tear, but man he has not looked anything like he did before that happened. With one of the youngest offensive lines in the game right now, it is time for Steele to have one of his best days in years if this team wants to win on Sunday.
Tyrus Wheat
Uh, who? I am sure that is what most of you said when you saw him in the lineup.
Cris Collinsworth literally said these words on the broadcast: “There is pressure flying off the edge with Tyrus Wheat.”
That is not something I thought I would hear for this defense, ever, but credit to Mike Zimmer for getting the best out of these role players. If Wheat can show up, and even create the same type of impact he had against the Steelers.
I know it is asking a lot from these players, but guys like Jalen Tolbert and Rico Dowdle will need to have another great game also, but the guys above could really make this upset happen if they ball out Sunday.