The Dallas Cowboys, in their post-trade deadline renaissance, are walking into a major clash against another team in the thick of the playoff race in the Detroit Lions. Far from an easy encounter, the matchup on Thursday Night Football has major postseason implications.
However, neither team is walking into the game fully healthy at this point in the season. We are breaking down the players on the inactive list and those who will be starting for both sides in Week 14.
Inactive List for Cowboys and Lions
Dallas Cowboys
- CB Trevon Diggs (IR)
- DE Jadeveon Clowney
- WR Jalen Tolbert
- OT Tyler Guyton
- RB Jaydon Blue
- DT Jay Toia
- DT Perrion Winfrey
Detroit Lions
- WR Kalif Raymond
- S Kerby Joseph
- OL Kayode Awosika
- TE Hayden Rucci
- DL Mekhi Wingo
- DL Tyler Lacy
Starters for Cowboys vs. Lions
Dallas Cowboys
- QB Dak Prescott
- RB Javonte Williams
- WR CeeDee Lamb
- WR George Pickens
- TE Jake Ferguson
- FB Hunter Luepke
- LT Nate Thomas
- LG Tyler Smith
- C Cooper Beebe
- RG Tyler Booker
- RT Terence Steele
Defense:
- RDE Donovan Ezeiruaku
- LDT Kenny Clark
- RDT Quinnen Williams
- LDE Jadeveon Clowney
- MLB Kenneth Murray Jr.
- SLB DeMarvion Overshown
- WLB Logan Wilson
- LCB Shavon Revel Jr.
- RCB Caelen Carson
- SS Markquese Bell
- FS Donovan Wilson
Special Teams:
- PK Brandon Aubrey
- P, H Bryan Anger
- PR, KR KaVontae Turpin
- LS Trent Sieg
The Cowboys’ offense, which has been near the top of the league all season, had one of its best performances against a top-five scoring defense in the Kansas City Chiefs, dropping 31 points on them.
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It is an area that the team will have to rely on against Detroit as well to ensure that Dallas’s playoff hopes can remain alive. According to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, the Cowboys have the third-best offense in the league this season.
Detroit Lions
Offense:
- QB Jared Goff
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs
- RB2 David Montgomery
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
- WR Jameson Williams
- TE Ross Dwelley
- LT Taylor Decker
- LG Miles Frazier
- C Graham Glasgow
- RG Tate Ratledge
- RT Penei Sewell
Defense:
- LDE Aidan Hutchinson
- RDT Alim McNeill
- LDT DJ Reader
- RDE Marcus Davenport
- WLB Alex Anzalone
- MLB Jack Campbell
- SLB Derrick Barnes
- LCB Rock Ya-Sin
- SS Brian Brnach
- FS Kerby Joseph
- RCB Amik Robertson
Special teams:
- PK Jake Bates
- P, H Jack Fox
- PR Tom Kennedy
- KR Jacob Saylors
- LS Hogan Hatten
The Lions desperately need a win in the game against the Cowboys, and everyone expects them to be at their best tonight. According to PFSN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, Detroit currently has a 35% chance of making the postseason and a 6% chance of winning the division.
