5 Keys To Lions Victory in Tough Week 4 Test in Dallas

The Detroit Lions are, in the words of Willie Nelson, "on the road again." This time, they head to the other Big D and Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. This is the second meeting between the Lions and Cowboys in as many seasons, and last season, Dallas emerged victorious.

Will the Cowboys ride high again this year, or will the Lions leave the Cowboys black and blue?

Here are five keys to a Lions victory on Sunday in Dallas.

1. Matthew Stafford, Lions Quarterback

What Matt Stafford is doing so far this season is incredible. His numbers are astronomical after three games, which is just what Lions fans are expecting. Why is this the No. 1 key to victory Sunday?

Stafford needs to stay upright for the majority of the game. When he's given a chance to throw without being banged up, he's great. Calvin Johnson is a superstar, no doubt, but even he can't do it all on his own.

2. Lions Defense

This new-look, revamped defense has one job--stop Tony Romo (OK, you might want to stop Jason Whitten and Miles Austin too).

Lions head coach Jim Schwartz has made no bones about it. The defense's No. 1 priority is to stop, or at least slow down, Tony Romo. They did pretty well against a scrambling quarterback Donovan McNabb, but we'll see if the Legion of Suh can keep it up.

3. Offensive Line

Those are the two words that make all Lions fans cringe, including myself. However, when the Lions have a strong, solid offensive line that plays relatively mistake-free, which they've done before, good things happen.

If the line can keep Stafford upright and open holes for running back Jahvid Best, the Lions will have no problems moving the ball down the field.

4. Jahvid Best, Running Back

And speaking of Best...

To win any game, you have to have a solid running game; otherwise, you become one-dimensional. Should the offensive line let up and make things difficult for Stafford, Jahvid Best needs to step up and take the reigns for the Lions to be successful. A solid running game opens up the passing game, too.

Best can also add another dimension out of the backfield as a wide receiver.

5. Special Teams

OK, so we've got offense and defense, but what about special teams? If return specialist Stefan Logan can exploit the Cowboys' depleted secondary, it will add another dimension to the Lions' overall game.

Jason Hanson, the Lions' all-time leading scorer, is still kicking strong. The kicking game will be essential in this contest in case the Lions' offense struggles.