***MNF IN THE SWAMP - DET @ DAL***
***DETROIT LIONS @ DALLAS COWBOYS***
A big time game wraps up week 16 when the Detroit Lions head into Dallas to take on the first place Cowboys on Monday Night Football. The Lions currently sit with an impressive 9-5 record and are at the top of the NFC North, but can surely feel the heat of the red hot Green Bay Packers who are now 9-6 with a big win yesterday against Minnesota. The two will tango next week back in the Detroit in what could be a do or die situation if the Lions don't pull out a road upset over the Cowboys here tonight. If the Lions were able to do so tonight, they would at least guarantee themselves a playoff spot, and next week's game against the Packers would then become a match that determines whether they get a home playoff game or the constellation prize of a Wild Card spot. Needless to say, Detroit would obviously prefer the later and pull out a big win tonight to ensure themselves a postseason birth regardless of next week's outcome. Up against the first place Cowboys with essentially nothing to play for other than the fact that it is MNF and the Boys probably wanting to roll into the playoffs with some positive momentum. However, I think no matter what they say or try and sell us, it is going to be hard for the Cowboys to match the motivation level of the Lions and could naturally have a bit of a letdown here. The Lions are a gritty and battle tested team, those 9 wins were well earned with 8 of them via a 4th quarter clutch comebacks led by QB Matthew Stafford. Stafford has really elevated his game to the next level this season and because of that has his team believing they are for real. Many though that the retirement of future HOF WR Calvin Johnson AKA Megatron would mean a major regression for this Lions offense but with the addition of WR Marvin Jones and veteran Anquan Boldin, Stafford has improved his play with the freedom to spread the ball around to wherever he sees fit and not feeling like he has to always look to one target. The addition of Offensive Coordinator Jim Bob Cooter has proven to be the straw needed to stir the drink of this talented offense and if this team can manage to finish strong here one way or another to get into the dance, they could be extremely dangerous. The Lions defense has some holes in it but has been playing stronger as of late and they seem to be figuring out how to patch said holes and play to their strengths. The return of star DE Ziggy Ansah and LB DeAndre Levy has helped wonders and this team could be starting to peak at the right time. Unfortunately for them Stafford injured his middle finger on his throwing hand which could hinder his play but he showed last week on the road against the Giants that he is still capable of slinging the rock. Stafford and the Lions historically are not at their best on the road and especially outdoors in the elements as we saw last week in the cold in their loss against the Giants. However tonight in Dallas they are back in a dome where Stafford has had some great games in the past, with the most recent being a close and controversial playoff loss back in 2015. I think he will be able to move the ball against the Dallas secondary and I also believe that Dak and the Cowboys offense will be able to run and get theirs against the Lions defense. In a nutshell, I just think the Lions have everything to play for here and are talented enough to upset a relaxed Cowboys squad who are sitting fat and happy after a nice Holiday with the family. Meanwhile, Stafford and the boys are focused and ready for War here and at the least bit I think should keep this one close and get some revenge for that heartbreaker. LIONS+6
