Sunday's Cowboys-Lions game in Detroit would seem to have little intrigue, with Dallas a -10.5 (51) betting favorite on WagerWeb.com.
After all, the Dallas Cowboys enter on a six-game winning streak and with an 11-1 record, best in the NFC. It's the first time a Cowboys team has won 11 of its first 12 games. The 'Boys trail only undefeated New England in the league-wide standings and are also second behind the Patriots in total offense, averaging 390.9 yards per game.
The Detroit Lions? After improving to 6-2 for the first time in nine years with a win over Denver on Nov. 4, the Lions have been outscored 126-67 in losing four straight.
"We just have to start playing better in every facet of the game," defensive tackle Cory Redding said. "It is as simple as that."
The Lions had a reliable running attack during their strong start, averaging 95.3 rushing yards in the first eight games. They've been held under 30 rushing yards three times and are averaging 41.0 during the four-game skid.
In addition, Detroit's pass defense is No. 31 in the NFL and allows over 265.6 yards per game.
That's not so good news facing the Cowboys' aerial attack led by QB Tony Romo and WR Terrell Owens.
T.O.'s TD catch on Thanksgiving in the big win over Green Bay was his 14th of the season, matching the team record set by Frank Clarke in 1962. Owens also tied Bob Hayes and Clarke as the only Dallas receivers with scoring catches in seven straight games.
"It's a continuation of the way he's been playing," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "He continues to get open, he continues to make plays."
Any chance the Cowboys will take the Lions for granted? Not when you remember last season's regular-season finale. Detroit, then 2-13, upset Dallas at Texas Stadium, 39-31, sending the Cowboys on the road to open the playoffs, a loss to the Seahawks."I think last year, the Lions were reeling pretty good, and they came into Dallas and beat the Cowboys," Phillips said. "I think the players that were on the team are reminded of that." There has been some off-the-field sniping this week.
Cowboys CB Terence Newman say he wants to repay Detroit's Jon Kitna for the QB's trash talk after Detroit's victory over Dallas last season - regardless of the consequences.
"(Kitna) better just hope I don't blitz off the edge," Newman said, "because I've got 15, 25, 30 (thousand dollars) - however much it would be for a fine. I've got that much for one fine. Revenge will be sweet definitely."
Of course, that drew the attention of the NFL, which informed Newman that Big Brother will be watching.
"Be advised that your comments will now compel us to carefully monitor your activities in this weekend's Cowboys-Lions game," NFL executive VP for football operations Ray Anderson said in a letter. "As you know, flagrant fouls may subject a player not only to fines, but to suspension as well. So conduct yourself accordingly."
Kitna said anything he did after last year's game was him just "out there having fun." One thing Kitna did say was that the Lions weren't afraid to throw at Newman.
"It is what it is," Newman said after practice Friday. "[Kitna] didn't say anything bad to me. I was trying to make a joke about it. I don't even blitz. I blitz like four times a year. Besides, he's bigger than me."
The lowdown: The Cowboys go for their first seven-game win streak since 1993. They had two runs of at least seven games that season, including an eight-game streak capped by a win over Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII. . The Dallas defense is No. 2 in the NFL with 18 interceptions. Corner Anthony Henry and FS Ken Hamlin each have five. . The Lions have compensated somewhat by forcing 32 turnovers, the second-most in the NFL. . The Lions have the fewest rushing yards (77.2 ypg) and attempts (234) in the NFL. . So all these numbers point to a lopsided Dallas victory, but call it gut instinct: The Lions only lose by 10.
Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions betting trends
The Cowboys are 9-3 ATS.
The Cowboys are 4-1 ATS away.
The Cowboys are 8-2 ATS as the favorite.
The Cowboys are 3-1 ATS as an away favorite.
The Lions are 5-6 ATS.
The Lions are 3-2 ATS at home.
The Lions are 3-4 ATS as the underdog.
The Lions are 1-1 ATS as a home underdog.
More NFL Betting Trends
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