The Detroit Lions’ thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys
Two NFC teams who’ve clinched a spot in the postseason face off in the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions this week. The Cowboys (10-5) are 7-0 at home this season, winning their past 15 at AT&T Stadium. The Lions (11-4) are 6-2 on the road.
Detroit can improve its seeding against Dallas, but the Lions already clinched their division and are guaranteed at least one home game in the postseason. The Cowboys remain in a battle with the Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) for the NFC East title and a home playoff game. With a win, the Cowboys have a 25 percent chance to win the division, according to the New York Times data. With a loss those chances drop to three percent.
Here’s what the Lions had to say about the Cowboys before Saturday’s game:
Head coach Dan Campbell
What makes Dak Prescott difficult to defend on third down:
“He’s a complete quarterback, he does everything well. It’s hard to disguise against him, he can see it. He can adjust protections, he knows where to go with the football. He’s very calm and composed with pressure on him. And then he’s got that escapability. He can escape in the pocket to make a throw but he can also use his legs to get downfield.
His reaction to praise from Jerry Jones:
“Mr. Jones was always good to me as a player. It was those three years I was there, it was a great experience, around a lot of good people and there again, just when you grow up there and you’re a Cowboys fan, it means a lot. I think if anything, when you feel like people acknowledge the things you’re doing, or the way you’re doing them, the style at which you go about your business and they acknowledge it, that’s a good feeling. You feel like, ‘Alright.’ You feel like you’re doing things the right way. So it’s flattering, but I also know they want to beat us into the ground. And we want to do the same. So that’s part of the League.
If he has a favorite story about Jones:
“No, look he’s always around now. He’s at every practice, meetings, I mean, he was there 24/7, so obviously very invested in it. He wants to win as bad as anybody does but he knew everything about the players. He knew everything about what you’re going into that week. The schemes, but no, I’m not going to give you one story. He was good. He’s an owner that cares, I can tell you that.”
The best way to beat the Cowboys at home:
“You could say it every week, we have to get off to a fast start. Because that’s where this team excels. They get going and all the sudden it snowballs. And then you just can’t make up from the mistakes you had earlier in the game.
If Jimmy Johnson’s ring of honor ceremony is a sign of disrespect:
“No, that’s awesome. I feel like that was for us. I’m a huge Jimmy Johnson fan. Obviously grew up in Texas when he had the triplets winning Super Bowls. To do everything that he was able to do, he’s somebody that I’ve studied from afar, I’ve always been fascinated with him. His style, the way he coached, what he was about, the way he built that roster, they way they played. I think he’s special, I think he’s one of these rare special coaches. To me, it’s like an honor that we get to go out there.
On Micah Parsons:
“Oh yeah, he’s a game-wrecker for sure. I was just talking to the guys upstairs, they move him around so much whether it’s right side, left side, over either guard, over the center. Every snap he’s almost in a different location, so it’s hard to get a beat a little bit to account for where he’s at. So you know where he is at, they have so many other dynamic guys upfront that are fresh. I mean I think that’s the thing that [Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan] Quinn does such a nice job of is the rotation and keeping those guys going nonstop and relentless. Today’s our third-down day and you turn on their third-down tape and it is just a party at the quarterback for third-and-5-plus. It’s pretty special what they can accomplish with their pass rush. So, Micah is a huge part of the issues that we are encountering here this week
“Man, he seems so comfortable in this offense. Listen, obviously you had [Chargers Offensive Coordinator] Kellen Moore last year, and a head coach that wants to call it, and you just see him growing as a quarterback in that system. Listen, I think he’s smart, I think he’s tough, I think he brings a different aspect as far as him being able to throw it with pinpoint accuracy and know where to go with the ball, but also have the ability to run with the ball and be able to make plays with his legs. And listen, he’s not like [Bears QB Justin] Fields and these other guys, but he can make some plays with his legs.”
“Everyone knows the stat with Dallas at home. At least me, that gets me fired up, because you want to be the one to take them down. You want to be the one to end their home streak and stuff like that. But I mean they got a lot of great players, Dak has been playing great ball. We’ll be ready.”
