What to watch in the Dallas Cowboys’ crucial NFC showdown against the Detroit Lions
At long last, the the Dallas Cowboys can finally tie a bow on the dynasty of the 1990s.
And it’s fitting that in a season when they are hoping to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since their last title team in 1995, the Cowboys are giving the true architect of those three Super Bowl titles, coach Jimmy Johnson, the franchise’s highest honor by inducting him into the team’s hallowed Ring of Honor.
It will happen Saturday at halftime of the Cowboys (10-5) crucial matchup against the Detroit Lions (11-4) in a game dripping with playoff implications for both teams.
But nothing can overshadow Johnson’s long-awaited induction into the Ring of Honor, an event so anticipated that ESPN is carrying it live at halftime.
It’s about their success together, starting with Jones buying the team in 1989 and hiring his former college teammate Johnson as his coach and firing the legendary Tom Landry. The Cowboys went from the worst team in the NFL to the league’s best inside of four seasons, winning back-to-back Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993.
It is also about their controversial and divisive break up, which has hung over the franchise for the past 30 years.
A fight of egos, credit for success and jealousy caused Jones to fire Johnson or Johnson to quit — depending on who’s telling the story — before the 1994 season.
Barry Switzer replaced Johnson and the franchise won another Super Bowl in 1995, but nothing was ever the same, beginning what has now been a 28-year title drought.
The friction continued for years and the players who won titles from the beginning with Johnson were left caught in the middle, trying not to pick sides but wondering what would have happened and how great might they have been if they were to finish what they started together.
The latter will never been known.
But the 1990s can finally have peace with Johnson joining his players —Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, Charles Haley and Darren Woodson — who became franchise greats in the team’s Ring of Honor.
What to watch in the Cowboys’ crucial NFC showdown against the Lions:
Getting back on track at home with NFC East title still in play
The Cowboys are in the unfamiliar position of needing to rebound from the a two-game losing streak in a more than comfortable situation.
The Cowboys hadn’t lost back-to-back games since 2021 before the losses to the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins on the road the past two weeks.
But now they are back at home at AT&T Stadium where they haven’t lost since the first game of 2022 season. The Cowboys are riding a 15-game winning streak and they are looking to go a perfect 8-0 in 2023.
But as coach Mike McCarthy noted, the Lions represent their greatest home challenge of the season. Not only are they 11-4 and NFC North champions for the first time in 30 years, but the Lions are still fighting for home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
And they would love nothing more than put an exclamation point on their breakthrough season with a victory against the Cowboys on national television in prime time.
The game has playoff implications for the Cowboys as well.
Despite the past two losses, the Cowboys remain in contention for the NFC East title. The Cowboys must beat the Lions and Washington Commanders and get a loss from the Philadelphia Eagles in one of their final two games against the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants.
Most importantly, the Cowboys need to win out to build some momentum heading into the playoffs.
Injury update: Who is available at left tackle
Who starts left tackle for the Cowboys remains up in the air.
Chuma Edoga replaced him against the Dolphins and suffered a toe injury. He has not practice all week either.
Both went through walk through practices Thursday and are listed as questionable for the game.
Coach Mike McCarthy said he feels good about their chances of playing.
It is also notable that the Cowboys added Matt Waletzko to the active roster from injured reserve as added insurance at tackle.
The Cowboys will be without nose tackle Johnathan Hankins for the third straight game. Hankins’ absence continues to be a setback for a struggling run defense set to face of Lions’ rushing attack, which ranks third in the NFL.
Even more acute is the Cowboys’ own struggling rushing attack. Backup running back Rico Dowdle has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
Malik Davis is out of practice squad elavations and the team must cut someone to get him to the game.
The Cowboys will go with Deuce Vaughn and fullback Hunter Luepke as the backups to starter Tony Pollard.
Vaughn has only played in five games this season and has 38 yards on 21 carries. Luepke had a crucial fumble at the goal line in the loss to the Dolphins.
McCarthy said the Cowboys have a plan for Vaughn against the Lions.
CeeDee Lamb set to make history, wants to win
With two catches against the Lions, receiver CeeDee Lamb will tie Hall of Famer Michael Irvin’s club record for catches in the season of 111.
With three he will surpass it.
Considering the way the Cowboys feed Lamb the ball early and often, he should be the new record holder by the end of the first quarter.
“If we win, it will mean a lot more,” Lamb said. I feel like regardless of whatever happens throughout the season, if we continue to play and have a chance to win the Super Bowl, that’s a successful season for me, personally. I like winning a lot. I’m going to say that again. I love winning a lot.”
The good news is that getting the ball to Lamb a lot usually results in the Cowboys winning a lot. They are 4-1 when he has 10 or more catches in a game.
“I just know what I can contribute to the team, what type of player I am. I’ve worked hard to be in this position, as has everybody else on this team,” Lamb said. “Just putting myself in the best position to continue. I like to win, overall. It’s not so much about the stat. It’s whatever the stat ends up being after the game, that’s cool. I like to win. Like I really have an obsession with winning.”
