If there were ever a game set up for Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad to prove themselves, it’s this one against the Cowboys
It can’t all be on Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there have been some issues with the Detroit Lions’ defensive line in the last few weeks. Mainly, they haven’t gotten sacks, and while the fun thing to do is blame the two guys making the most money, they happen to be the only ones making things happen right now. Of course, we’re talking about Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill.
Since the bye week, the Lions have put up 81 pressures and nine sacks. The problem is that 61 of those pressures have come from the Lions’ defensive line, and 37 of them are from Hutchinson and McNeill. Lions head coach Dan Campbell keeps talking about it every week. They need the rest of their guys to win one-on-ones. Well, here’s their opportunity.
The Cowboys’ big weakness is setting the edge; the Lions have to take advantage
“As for the Cowboys’ offensive line’s biggest weakness, it’s definitely on the edges.” Our Cowboys beat writer, Mauricio Rodriguez, said. “The Cowboys’ offensive tackles have been below average in pass protection. Backup left tackle Nate Thomas has been decent stepping in for Tyler Guyton, but he can be beaten, especially by someone like Aidan Hutchinson. The same goes for right tackle Terence Steele, who is a standout in run blocking but can be inconsistent in pass situations.”
The Cowboys don’t allow many sacks. So if you’re hoping for a sack-filled game from the Lions, this might not be the one, but what the Lions can do is get pressure from their edges and get to Dak Prescott when it’s needed most. Of the Cowboys’ 147 pressures allowed this season, 77 have come from their tackles.
We know for sure, as the day we were all born, that the Cowboys will double-team, triple-team, and chip Hutchinson. That will give Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad opportunities to have one-on-ones against a tackle that is giving up a lot of pressure.
This is the game where they can do some damage and prove they deserve the deals they got and the belief the Lions had in them, leading them not to look for help elsewhere. If these guys struggle again, the Lions will have serious problems in an absolute must-win game.
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