The Detroit Lions set an NFL record for road futility last week against the previously winless Buffalo Bills.
Putting an end that streak on Sunday may be difficult against the rejuvenated Dallas Cowboys, who responded to a change in leadership and now aim for their first home win of the season.
The Lions (2-7), who set a league record by going winless over a 16-game season two years ago, dropped their 25th straight road contest last week to Buffalo. They failed to convert a potential game-tying, two-point conversion in the final seconds of a 14-12 loss.
Shaun Hill threw for 373 yards and two touchdowns, but he was pressured on the two-point conversion attempt and sailed a pass out of the back of the end zone.
Hill was forced to start in place of the injured Matthew Stafford, who may be out for the season with a shoulder injury. Hill's final pass of the game epitomized the Lions' road woes over the last three seasons.
Detroit hasn’t won away from home since beating the Chicago Bears in October 2007.
The Lions will attempt to halt that dubious streak against Dallas (2-7), which responded to interim head coach Jason Garrett in a huge way last week.
Garrett, who replaced Wade Phillips after a disastrous 1-7 start ruined Dallas’ Super Bowl aspirations, restored discipline to the team and gave it a temporary spark.
As a result, an inspired effort produced a 33-20 victory over the previously red-hot New York Giants.
Dallas used a bevy of big plays to stun the NFC East-leading Giants, who entered the game having won five straight in dominating fashion.
Former Lions quarterback Jon Kitna threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 completions and rookie Bryan McCann returned an interception a franchise-record 101 yards.
Dallas also got a 71-yard touchdown pass from tailback Felix Jones and Dez Bryant recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game.
The team also committed fewer mental mistakes under Garrett, as evidence by their five penalties for 60 yards – the second-lowest totals of the season.
All of this begs the question: Why did owner Jerry Jones wait so long to make a coaching change?
That may turn out to be the $ 1.2 billion question. Had Jones made the move earlier, the Cowboys may have kept their dream of playing the Super Bowl in glitzy Cowboys Stadium alive.
Instead, the only intrigue left is whether Garrett will fare well enough the rest of the way to convince Jones he doesn’t need to bring in a flashy, big-name coach.
Garrett’s job this week will be tougher if the Cowboys are missing both their starting cornerbacks. Mike Jenkins (neck) and Terence Newman (ribs, ankle) were out for significant portions of last week’s win.
If they can’t play, Dallas will struggle to stop Lions wideout Calvin Johnson. He had 10 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown last week and has eight scores in his last six games.
The Cowboys could also be without All-Pro nose tackle Jay Ratliff (knee/calf), who suffered the injuries in the win over the Giants.
The Lions, meanwhile, have their own impressive nose tackle in rookie Ndamukong Suh. Suh has seven sacks and is the clear front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Dallas has won four of the last five meetings. Both teams have a short turnaround as they will host their annual Thanksgiving Day games on Thursday.