Brighter days of Lions football The test is to the fans: Those season-ticket holders who have spent a year's paycheck to seats to the so-called Turd on the Turnpike, but who have also been bitching for eight weeks about how Jerry Jones just needs to go ahead and "fire the GM."
OK, shitheads. Time to put up or shut up. If you go to tomorrow's game and you sincerely believe that Jason Garrett has captured something in this team that is meaningful, then Godspeed.
However, if this things continues the overreaching arch of failure and heat falls back on Jerry Jones as general manager and owner, I don't want to hear about it. You don't get to ignore Jones' GMing when the Cowboys are winning and then complain when they're losing. Jones' general inability to evaluate and sign viable talent in free agency, via trade or the NFL Draft is always there. Sometimes the talent is good enough to overcome the rest of the personnel.
And I don't particularly believe that Jones will never give up the GM spot. Come tomorrow, if there's 40,000 at the Turd and that would send a giant message. It really word. However, that message is only good if it takes place while the cowboys are winning.
So, we shall see where the heart of the Cowboy fan lies.
Five things:
Revenge
It shouldn't, but I think playing your old team carries an extra weight for guys. Jon Kitna and Roy Williams would probably love to bury the Lions despite themselves being on a 2-7 team.
Felix Jones
For as poorly as they've played, the Detroit Lions have a pretty good pass defense. When I say "pretty good," I mean middle of the road. Whereas, they allow 130 yards of rushing per game, near the bottom. For posterity's sake, it might behoove Jason Garrett to get the run game going. The Cowboys offensive line should be able to maul the Lions up front.
Dez Bryant
Because he's special.
Calvin Johnson and Co.
The Lions don't do a lot of things well. One thing they do do well is throw the ball. Near the top of the league in passing. Largely in part to being behind a lot and it doesn't hurt having Calvin Johnson on your team. The guy's a marvel. However, the Lions have five guys with at least 30 catches. Only two of them are wide receivers, the second behind Johnson being Nate Burleson. Meaning, they go to their safety valves with underneath stuff through running backs and tight ends. They do it a lot and they do it well.
The Suh
We finally get to see the professional version of Ndamukong Suh. He's been quite good on a team not getting a ton of attention: Seven sacks and an interception. With that said, note what I said about the Lions run defense ...
Prediction
Dallas Cowboys 24, Detroit Lions 17
I can't imagine the Cowboys losing again at home. It's got to end. I believe in Jason Garrett.
