Dallas @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 30, 2018 ) Detroit 24, Dallas 26

The Dallas Cowboys used a strong second-half surge en route to winning the NFC East title a year ago and they hope to follow a similar path with seven games remaining this season. Having lost four of six after opening the season with three straight wins, the Cowboys look to maintain their hold on the division lead when they visit the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon.

Dallas followed a three-game slide with lopsided wins over NFC East rivals Philadelphia and the New York Giants, only to stumble at home with a 28-24 loss to Minnesota last week. "I think we had definitely a lot more urgency or had to have a lot more urgency last year at 3-5," running back Ezekiel Elliott said. "Right now, we're still tied for first in the division, or we're leading the division. We've just got to make sure we keep winning ballgames." The Lions are on the verge of falling out of postseason contention after dropping five out of six and may be forced to start backup quarterback Jeff Driskel for a second straight week with Matthew Stafford hobbled by a back injury. "My job is to be ready each and every week," Driskel said. "That’s what I plan on doing, that’s what I’ve been doing since I got in the league and got here is being ready to go."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Cowboys -5. O/U: None

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (5-4): Dak Prescott, second in the league with 2,777 yards, registered his third straight 100.0-plus passer rating after throwing for 397 yards and three touchdowns versus Minnesota. Amari Cooper had 147 yards and a score on a season high-tying 11 receptions while Randall Cobb also eclipsed 100 yards and a score, but Elliott had his string of three consecutive 100-yard games snapped by rushing for only 47 on 20 carries. Elliott, however, shredded the Lions for 152 yards while adding four catches for 88 yards and a touchdown in last season's 26-24 win. Dallas ranks sixth in points allowed (18.9) and against the pass (219.8 yards).

ABOUT THE LIONS (3-5-1): Stafford did not practice again Thursday and Driskel appears in line for his seventh NFL start after throwing for a career-best 269 yards with one touchdown and an interception in last week's 20-13 loss at Chicago. Driskel has talent on the outside in wideouts Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr., who have combined for 14 scoring passes. Ty Johnson (concussion) was knocked out of last week's game due but practiced on a limited basis Thursday for Detroit, which already lost starting running back Kerryon Johnson for the season. The Lions rank 28th against the pass (272.8 yards).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Prescott has at least two scoring passes in five straight games versus NFC North opponents.

2. Lions DE Trey Flowers has a sack in three straight games.

3. Elliott has at least 120 yards from scrimmage in six of his last seven on the road.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 27, Lions 16