The Detroit Lions are in Dallas today to take on the Cowboys in a crucial game for the Lions to try and jump start their season after a 1-4 start before last week's bye. What did head coach Dan Campbell and his staff come up with over the bye week to get this football team playing better ball, especially defensively?
Here's a look at five things I'll have my eye on later today at AT&T Stadium:
1. PENEI SEWELL VS. MICAH PARSONS
In just their second seasons, Sewell and Parsons have become two of the top players at their respective positions, and could see quite a bit of each other later today in pass-rush situations.
Parsons' 6.0 sacks leads a Cowboys defense that's tops in the NFL with 24.0 sacks coming into today. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said Parsons might be the best defensive player in the league right now.
Sewell has become one of the best right tackles in football. He's given up just a half sack all season.
Parsons moves around quite a bit in Dallas' defense, but he'll no-doubt find himself across from Sewell often Sunday and the winner of the matchup will go a long way in determining the winning team.
2. JOSH PASCHAL DEBUT
It's expected that rookie second-round pick Josh Paschal will make his NFL debut later today after missing the first five games after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia injury. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn mentioned Paschal this week as one of the players he's looking at to make a difference for the defense coming out of the bye.
Paschal is a versatile defender that's expected to give the Lions some pass rush from the interior. It's unclear how much he'll play today, but second-round picks are expected to be impact players and we get our first look at Paschal today.
3. OFFENSIVE REBOUND
It was an offensive clunker for the Lions Week 5 in New England. The offense, which came into that contest averaging 35.0 points per game, was shut out against the Patriots. They turned the ball over twice and just looked a bit out of sorts. Every offensive player views the performance as an anomaly.
They've had to sit on that performance for two weeks because of the bye week and are anxious to get back on the field and prove Week 5 isn't them. Detroit's offense comes into today ranked third in points scored (28.0), second in total offense (411.8), eighth in rushing (151.4) and seventh in passing offense (260.4).
The Cowboys have the NFL's third best defense in points allowed (16.3) and they are eighth in total defense (304.2). Can the offense get back on track against a really good Dallas front seven?
4. DIFFERENT WITH DAK
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is expected to make his first start since injuring the thumb in his throwing hand Week 1. The injury required surgery and he's been out the last five weeks. Credit backup Cooper Rush for holding down the fort while Prescott was on the mend and helping Dallas to a 4-2 record, but with Prescott back under center the Cowboys' offense is a little more explosive.
Dallas can push the ball down the field more with Prescott, and he also gives them some playmaking ability with his legs, but will there be any rust having been out more than a month?
View photos from Detroit Lions practice on Friday, October 21, 2022.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (1) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye (24) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Mike Hughes (23) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye (24), Detroit Lions Defensive Backs Coach/Pass Game Coordinator Aubrey Pleasant during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Logan Stenberg (71), Detroit Lions center Evan Brown (63) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (96) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Zylstra (13) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson (73) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Darrin Paulo (60), Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson (73) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Tim Boyle (12) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Benito Jones (94) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye (24) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (46) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Michael Brockers (90) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Justin Jackson (42) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (46) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (46), Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Wide Receivers Coach Antwaan Randle El during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Darrin Paulo (60) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Equipment Manager Joey Jaroshewich, Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Zylstra (13), Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Tim Boyle (12), Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Zylstra (13) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Obinna Eze (65), Detroit Lions WCF Minority Coaching Assistant DeOn'tae Pannell during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82), Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89), Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88), Detroit Lions tight end Garrett Griffin (86), Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on October 21, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
5. DEFENSIVE CHANGES
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn says he feels really good about some of the scheme and personnel changes the Lions came up with on defense over the bye. Glenn said it was also a good time to reflect on his performance, and he's better for that reflection.
The defense played much better against New England Week 5 before the bye – 22 points allowed – and they'll have to continue that upward trend if this football team is going to climb out of the hole they created for themselves with the 1-4 start. This is a potent Cowboys' offense, particularly running the football, and if the Lions are going to come out of Dallas with a win today they have to be better stopping the run.
