Week 4 NFL Picks on FOX: Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys Odds and Predictions – Sunday Free NFL Picks 10/2

Week 4 Free NFL Picks: Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys NFL Week 4 Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on FOX 10/2/11: Two NFC teams with playoff aspirations will go head to head this weekend when the Detroit Lions (3-0) go on the road to play the Dallas Cowboys (2-1). With a young but talented roster, the Lions are attempting to shed their reputation as the lovable losers of the NFL, and a victory in Dallas would go a long way to helping the cause. Meanwhile, the banged up Cowboys are finding a way to win and continue to prove that they are dangerous even at less than 100 percent.

For both teams, slowing down the opposition’s pass rush will be an important factor in deciding the outcome, especially for Dallas. Quarterback Tony Romo is nursing some broken ribs, and if defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh start getting some hits on Romo, he may not be able to finish the game. Considering Romo has been carrying the injury-ravaged Cowboys, the offense could fall apart without him.

The Lions offensive line will have to be on top of its game as well. Detroit has absolutely no running game, allowing defenses to focus on rushing quarterback Matthew Stafford. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has the Cowboys sacking opposing QBs at a record pace, and if Stafford and the passing game are disrupted, the Lions offense is in trouble. Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware could be an X-factor. He has been a big part of the defense’s success this year, and he has owned Detroit throughout his career.

Even if Romo is on the field, it is still unclear who will be available for him to throw to. Receiver Miles Austin is going to miss the game, and fellow receiver Dez Bryant is questionable and won’t be 100 hundred percent if he does suit up. Reliable tight end Jason Witten is 100 percent, but running back Felix Jones is dealing with a shoulder issue. Jones played Monday night and had his best game of the year against Washington. His play will be critical in Sunday’s matchup because if he can establish himself as a threat on the ground, the Lions won’t be able to focus solely on Romo.

Injuries have also taken a toll on the Dallas secondary, which could spell trouble considering the Lions’ potent air attack. Receiver Calvin Johnson leads the NFL with six touchdown grabs, and receiver Nate Burleson and tight end Brandon Pettigrew are solid targets as well. If the Dallas front seven can’t put pressure on Stafford, he could pick apart the depleted Cowboys’ secondary and continue his incredible 2011 campaign. Pettigrew in particular could be vital as Detroit is beginning to use him in a variety of underneath routes to compensate for the lack of a ground game. Last weekend, Pettigrew’s emergence helped rally the Lions past the Minnesota Vikings in overtime.

With all the injury issues that Dallas is dealing with, it’s amazing the team is 2-1 at this point. However, the Cowboys did need some – heroics from Romo to win games against Washington and San Francisco. Detroit has looked much stronger than either of those teams thus far, and without his full arsenal of weapons, Romo will likely struggle to keep up with Stafford. Barring a monster game from Jones on the ground, the Cowboys will probably find themselves to undermanned to contain a hungry Detroit team eager to prove it belongs.

Prediction: Detroit Lions (+2.5) Cover the Spread

Free NFL Football Picks and Predictions: Detroit +2.5

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