The season has been quite predictable for the Dallas Cowboys as they prepare for their Week 17 game against the Detroit Lions. When they play at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys win and almost always by a big margin. When the Cowboys go on the road, they almost always find a way to lose.

This game against the NFC North champion Lions does not look like an easy victory, but it is at home and that means head coach Mike McCarthy's team should be confident and ready. The impressive Dallas roster appears to be quite a bit more athletic than the one the Lions will bring to Dallas, and that should give the Cowboys an advantage.

The Lions are coming off a key victory against the division rival Minnesota Vikings, and they have the same 11-4 record as the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Those are the top two seeds in the NFC playoff structure, and the No. 3 Lions could move ahead of either or both teams if they can sweep their final 2 games while San Francisco and/or Philadelphia lose one of their last 2 games.

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The chances for the Lions are not good since it is so difficult to win in Dallas, but the fact that they have a chance should keep them on task.

Dak Prescott needs to show off his accuracy with 200-plus yards passing and 2 TDs

The Dallas quarterback has had an excellent year, and he should be able to find the weak spots in the Detroit defense.

While the Lions are improved defensively from last year's team, they have not been able to sustain the success they had on defense during the early part of the season. They have given up 24 points or more 5 of their last 6 games.

Prescott has shown the ability to find the weak spots in the defense on a consistent basis this season. He has completed 353 of 516 passes for 3,892 yards with 30 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

In addition to his ability at finding open receivers, Prescott has been able to buy time with his feet, allowing his excellent crew of receivers to get open. He has also rushed for 237 yards, averaged 4.47 yards per carry and scored 2 touchdowns.

CeeDee Lamb should be able to exploit Detroit's pass defense

When it comes to elite receivers, CeeDee Lamb has been one of the best pass catcher in the league this season.

He plays with a remarkable level of confidence, and he has caught an eye-catching 109 passes to this point in the season for 1,424 yards with 9 touchdowns. The Cowboys will not hesitate to use him on the end around play as he has 12 carries for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Lamb is likely to be licking his chops for a chance to compete against the Lions secondary. Detroit ranks 23rd in passing yards allowed per game and 24th in scoring defense.

If Lamb can get away from the jam at the line of scrimmage, he is basically impossible to stop. He has remarkable straight-ahead speed, and he also has the ability to cut in an effortless manner. If he gets his hands on the ball, he is going to make the catch.

He also can work the sidelines like an elite ballet dancer, and he is one of the best in the league at getting his toes inbounds.

The presence of Lamb makes life easier for the other Cowboys skill position players. Wide receivers Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks, tight end Jake Ferguson and running back Tony Pollard all benefit from Lamb's presence.

Micah Parsons should add to his sack total and continue to be a disruptive force

The Cowboys have demonstrated the ability to play shut down defense throughout the season, and they have been most effective when playing at home.

Micah Parsons is one of the best defensive players in the league, and he comes into this game with 13.0 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 53 tackles, 1 fumble recovery and 1 forced fumble. The athletic linebacker has remarkable speed that allows him to dominate coming off the edge, but he also has the kind of power and hitting ability that puts opponents on edge.

The Lions have a solid offensive line that kept Danielle Hunter (15.5 sacks) of the Vikings from causing any problems as a pass rusher in Week 16. Parsons is a different kind of pass rusher and he should be able to exceed what Hunter did against the Lions.

In addition to Parsons, the Cowboys have linebacker Damone Clark, who leads the team with 99 tackles and cornerback DaRon Bland, who has had a remarkable season with 14 passes defensed and 8 interceptions with 5 returned for touchdowns.