Lions vs Cowboys: By the Numbers

The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys meet Thursday night at Ford Field in a matchup defined as much by sheer offensive firepower as it is by growing injury uncertainty. With both teams fighting to stabilize their playoff footing, health, efficiency and defensive resilience may ultimately decide which contender survives a primetime spotlight they’ve each handled far differently.

Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown remains the biggest question mark heading into the short week. St. Brown, who missed both Monday and Tuesday’s practices, said he could not guarantee his availability.

“I’m not sure right now, if I’m being honest,” St. Brown said when asked about his chances of playing. “It’s still up in the air. I’ma try to be out there for the guys, for my teammates, but I couldn’t answer that question right now.”

Detroit could also see the return of safety Kerby Joseph, who has been nursing a lingering knee injury. Multiple team sources indicate Joseph’s injury is not considered career-altering, despite outside speculation. He is expected to seek treatment in the offseason but intends to play again this year, possibly this week.

Even with injuries mounting, Detroit enters Thursday boasting one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. The Lions average 29.2 points per game, third best in the league, and rank third in total yardage at 376.3 yards per contest. Their ground game remains a staple, posting 138.1 rushing yards per game — fourth best — while the passing attack contributes 238.2 yards, tied for seventh.

Efficiency has been strong but not flawless. Detroit converts 38.7% of its third downs, 19th in the league, but has been excellent in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on 65.2% of trips, seventh best.

They’ll be matched against a Dallas defense that statistically has struggled more than any in the NFL. The Cowboys allow a league-high 28.5 points per game, rank 29th in total defense and sit bottom-three against both the pass and on third down, where opponents convert 48.4% of the time. Their 71.1% red-zone touchdown rate allowed is also among the worst, and they have forced just 10 takeaways, ranking 26th.

But the Cowboys’ offense is elite enough to mask many of those issues. Dallas leads the NFL in total offense at 393.1 yards per game and ranks second in scoring at 29.3 points. Their passing game is the most productive in the league at 271.3 yards per matchup, while their run game sits 13th. The Cowboys are also top-five on third down, converting 44.1% of attempts. In their last nine Thursday night appearances, they are 8-1 — a trend Detroit must counter.

The Lions’ defense will need to play to its strengths. Detroit ranks seventh in run defense, allowing 103.7 yards per game, and is 14th in total yardage allowed. However, the unit struggles in the red zone (27th) and sits 20th in takeaways with 13.

Still, the Lions’ formula is clear. They are 6-2 when recording two or more sacks, and 6-1 when forcing at least one turnover, benchmarks that could tilt a high-powered matchup.

With both teams capable of scoring in bunches, Thursday’s game may hinge on which defense can finally bend without breaking, and which offense best survives the moment. For Detroit, that could depend on whether one of its most important playmakers is healthy enough to join the fight.