Detroit Lions: 3 Keys to Victory Versus Dallas

The Detroit Lions will face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in a critical NFC matchup.

The teams enter the game with identical 4-3 records, and both teams are very capable of winning their respective divisions at this point in the season.

The Lions have won three of their last five games but need to rebound following a disappointing loss at home to the Cincinnati Bengals.

So how will they defeat the Cowboys? Here are three keys to a Lions win.

Get Pressure on Tony Romo

The Lions have come up with just 13 sacks in seven games this season, but getting to the Cowboys quarterback could be a big factor on Sunday.

Romo has been sacked at least three times in each of the Cowboys' three losses on the season. 

Ziggy Ansah, Willie Young and Ndamukong Suh all need to step up in this game. If they don't apply pressure to Romo, it could spell trouble for Detroit.

Get Another Receiver Involved

This has been a problem for Detroit all season, and it will be until someone besides Calvin Johnson steps up.

We all know that there is almost no defense for Johnson, as evidenced by this amazing catch last Sunday against the Bengals.

But how much more dangerous would the Detroit offense be if there was another receiving threat on the outside or coming out of the slot?

This needs to be the week when either Kris Durham, Ryan Broyles or even Kevin Ogletree puts up big numbers and gives Matthew Stafford another solid receiving threat going forward.

Converting on Third Down

The Lions are converting on 44.2 percent of their third downs, good for fourth in the entire league. That is something that could help more than anything against the Cowboys.

Inside Ford Field, this game could easily turn into a shootout being two high-powered offenses. If Detroit's offense is able to stay on the field, the Lions will have the advantage.

The Lions need to leave themselves with five yards or less to go on third down. With Reggie Bush in play, they can hurt the Cowboys several different ways. It also doesn't hurt that DeMarcus Ware is likely to miss the game due to injury.