The Dallas Cowboys are flying high after defeating both 2024 Super Bowl teams across a span of just five days, but now they have to face the Lions in their own Detroit den. The last time the two teams faced off, the Lions destroyed the Cowboys, 47-9. Detroit ran trick plays in which the quarterback threw to its offensive linemen while it had the game in hand, and Dallas could do nothing to stop them.
These teams are vastly different going into Week 14 of the 2025 season. The Cowboys have won three straight with one of the best offenses in the NFL and an improving defense. Detroit's offense is struggling without Ben Johnson calling plays and amidst mounting injuries, including tight end Sam LaPorta and wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDallas still needs to clean up more than a few things from the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, though, because the Lions will play tough at home and still have playmakers Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs at their disposal.
Field position for the offense
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 17: KaVontae Turpin #9 of the Dallas Cowboys returns a punt against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on November 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Dallas had an average starting field position of 17.8 in their contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. Six times they began their drive inside the 20, including twice inside the five and once at the 10. The Chiefs started at the 35 on average and had six drives beginning ahead of the 30-yard line. They didn’t start inside their own 20 once.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHaving to drive over 80 yards to score a touchdown isn’t sustainable. The Cowboys were able to overcome it and escape with a three-point win, but they need to improve in that area of the game going forward.
Redzone defense
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 17: Donovan Ezeiruaku #41 and Kenny Clark #95 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate a sack against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium on November 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)As much as the defense has improved for the Cowboys since the trade for Quinnen Williams, the area they still struggle in is the red zone. The Philadelphia Eagles were perfect on three trips to the red zone in their game, and four days later, the Chiefs did the same. The Eagles and Kansas City are two tough teams, but allowing them to combine for six touchdowns on six attempts in the red zone is going to bite them if it isn't corrected quickly.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll other areas of the defense have improved. The Cowboys need to make red zone defense a priority.
Run defense
Nov 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (42) and Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) pressure Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesAfter two fantastic run defense performances against Ashton Jeanty and Saquon Barkley, the Cowboys allowed Kansas City to run the ball really well. This might be more about fearing Patrick Mahomes throwing the ball, but Dallas allowed four players to run for over four yards per attempt.
Running backs alone rushed for 4.3 yards per carry, so it wasn’t just Mahomes rushing for 30 yards on three rushes. With the Lions on deck, the Cowboys must clean up their run defense, or Gibbs could be a game-changer.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYou can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Red-zone defense among 3 things Cowboys must improve to tame the Lions
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