To preface this entry, as a young boy I REALLY hated the Cowboys. The stiff older man marching up and down the sidelines with the weird hat. T.D., Tony Dorsett, Roger Staubach, Danny White, the punter/QB?, the America's Team-hype, and worst of all their upstaging of the Lion's nearly every Thanksgiving as the second game of the doubleheader. Heck the Cowboys, even had cheerleaders. No victory provided me with more glee than the Billy Sims-era Lions beating the Cowboys in the playoffs. It was spectacular. I still hate the Cowboys and last season's utter embarassment of the Lions coming off the Lions' bye week still grinds me. So, I really want the Lions to obtain victory this week.

On offense, I think we can expect more of the same from the Lions. They will operate within their small margin of error and hopefully not turn the ball over. The Cowboys have some exciting playmakers. Roy Williams may be the most vicious hitter in the league. He is an incredible all around talent and Harrington will need to be aware of his whereabouts all day. The Cowboys have a decent front seven. Greg Ellis has six sacks and the experienced Marcellus Wiley was acquired in the offseason to help with pressuring the passer. Laroi Glover is stout in the middle of their defense. The Cowboys have small quick linebackers who move well from sideline to sideline. The Lions will need to continue and be able to run the ball and control the field position game. The Cowboys have allowed 139.3 rushing yards per game, so hopefully the Lions will establish the run early and often. The Cowboys secondary is pretty good but they have been burned for some big plays due to their inexperience. The Lions will have to take some shots down the field and hopefully convert on some big plays again this week. Which Roy Williams will have the upper hand?

On defense, the Lions will have to execute in much the same way they did against the Giants. The fact the Cowboys lack the running game that the Giants possessed is a big factor in the Lions favor. Eddie George is still a threat, but his hard running is more of a complement to the Cowboys downfield passing. The Cowboys will have to rely quite a bit on Jason Witten this week. Without Terry Glenn and a questionable Quincy Morgan, the Cowboys lose quite a bit on offense. The Cowboys will depend on versatile fullback, Richie Anderson to help account for the losses in their passing game. Keyshawn Johnson is still a very good posession receiver. I wish that the Lions still had Mark Carrier on moth balls. Nothing provided greater joy than watching Carrier repeatedly seperate Johnson from the ball as he came across the middle. I will never forget Carrier knocking Johnson silly when the Bucs first got Johnson from the Jets. The Lions front four has the chance to yet again carry the team to victory. If the front four can pressure leadfooted Vinny, the Lions should be able to win. The Cowboys Offensive line is very capable and will be difficult to get much pressure unless the coverage improves. That being said, Testaverde sits back in the pocket like a target, for the most part. Kalimba Edwards could make a huge difference utilizing his size and speed in this game.

I think the Lions will win 21-10 and Billy Sims will have 150 rushing yards and Eric Hipple will have 2 TD passes.....I mean the Lions will 24-14 even with Testaverde throwing for 275 yds.