Cowboys vs Lions:Week 17 matchups to watch for

the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off back-to-back road losses and are looking to avoid making it three in a row when they face the Detroit Lions in Week 17. Fortunately, home-field advantage has been kind to them all season, and they’ve gone unbeaten at AT&T Stadium this year. They’ll have their work cut out for them this week if they want to keep that run going.

Today, we’ll look at a couple important matchups that the Cowboys will almost certainly need to win in order to remain unbeaten at home this season and earn their 11th victory. If not, the Lions will most likely come out on top this week.

The clash between Terence Steele and Aidan Hutchinson is one to keep an eye on. Steele has allowed the third-most QB pressures among tackles this season, while Hutchinson ranks among the top five pass rushers in QB pressures (87). For the Dallas Cowboys, this is shaping up to be a nightmare matchup. Steele has struggled this season, particularly in pass protection. Going up against one of the league’s best this week won’t help matters. Dallas would be wise to acquire him some assistance if/when it is required, or else Dak Prescott and the offense could be in trouble.

Damone Clark, Markquese Bell, and the rest of the Dallas Cowboys run defense will face a very potent Detroit Lions rushing offense this week. The dynamic combo of Detroit is undoubtedly one of the best RB tandems Dallas has seen all season. They are now assisting the Lions in averaging 141.1 rushing yards per game this season, which might be a concern since Dallas’ run defense allows 115.7 rushing yards per week. This is one of those matchups that the Cowboys must not let get out of hand, or else another James Cook-like situation would result in a third straight loss.

Brian Branch, Detroit’s second-round pick this year, is having a fantastic rookie season out of the nickel position. In this Week 17 game, he must assist in containing CeeDee Lamb. This season, No. 88 has beaten nearly every defensive back he’s faced and may be more determined than ever to have a huge game. He’ll try to break Michael Irvin’s record for receiving catches in a season (111) for the Dallas Cowboys. Lamb is currently three receptions short. Dak Prescott will undoubtedly target him early and frequently, making the battle with Branch crucial.