Dez Bryant makes one-handed touchdown catch

In the Lions’ first drive of the second half, they failed to move the football down the field.

Instead of resting guys for the playoffs, the Cowboys kept their foot on the gas and that’s exactly how Bryant likes it. Green Bay’s 9-6 record includes a 34-27 victory over the Lions on September 25. In 2007, they won 13 before losing to the New York Giants in the divisional round, missing a potential championship window. A Green Bay Packers offense that scores 27 points a game is a potential matchup as well.

MISSING PIECE: Detroit cornerback Darius Slay was out with a hamstring injury that also sidelined him for two games in November.

Key Story Lines: The playoff implications for the Lions, and a study of both of these teams for Falcons fans.

Robinson said he thinks he has what it takes to get to the level that Ngata has enjoyed as an All-Pro player – if he maintains the right attitude. Ebron has had a quiet couple weeks for the Lions. Surely, there were more people home and prepared to watch the game. Not surprising was the play of standout quarterback Matthew Stafford – who played high school ball at nearby Highland Park – who passed for 137 yards and added a 1-yard touchdown run in the first half.

-Cowboys WR Cole Beasley vs. Lions CB Asa Jackson.

After scoring only one receiving touchdown in his last four games, Dez Bryant had two on Monday night along with 70 receiving yards on four catches.

The first one to Bryant was one-handed grab with his left hand in the left corner of the end zone with a defensive back draped all over him. The Eagles have nothing to play for but pride, and the Cowboys might protect starters like Elliott and Prescott as well as rest injured players like Tyron Smith.

Lions DT A’Shawn Robinson.

The Lions quarterback focuses on the good memories as he prepares for another homecoming Monday night, knowing his team can clinch a postseason berth with a victory. “You know how you practice plays and sometimes you don’t run them?” The Lions broke their five-game winn streak last week, dropping one to the Giants on the road.

There was a point in the first half where Dallas was making way too many penalties on offense, but they ended up working things out and finished with a very strong game. He leads Detroit with 119 tackles. He hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in the last two games.

Dallas rookie RB Ezekiel Elliott leads the National Football League with 1,551 rushing yards and is tied for second with 13 rushing TDs.

Witten, the normally stoic 14th-year tight end, flashed Bryant’s celebratory “X” when the often-exuberant receiver made the signal in his direction after the touchdown.