After giving up five sacks last week against the Vikings, the Lions’ offensive line is approaching Sunday’s game against a good Cowboys pass rush as a chance at redemption.
Right tackle Gosder Cherilus appears to have regained his starting job after he was pulled two series into the Minnesota game, and left tackle Jeff Backus actually outplayed NFL sack leader DeMarcus Ware in their meeting last year.
The Lions rarely double-teamed Ware last November, but Backus and Cherilus held him to two solo tackles (one in pass coverage and one on back-side pursuit on a run play) and a half sack that was a gift from Jay Ratliff.
Ratliff, in fact, could be a bigger concern for the Lions and center Dominic Raiola, who’s struggled historically against 3-4 fronts. Raiola will get help inside from guards Stephen Peterman and Rob Sims.
Cherilus said the Lions’ struggles against Minnesota looked worse in person than on film. He allowed one sack – his first since 2009 – when he slipped on his kick step, one sack was due to a receiver running a wrong route and another to a cadence issue.
Still, Cherilus and others acknowledge the line has to play substantially better against a Rob Ryan defense that brings pressure from every angle imaginable.
“His defense is an absolute nightmare to prepare for,” offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. “He has everybody playing hard and they believe and buy into what they’re doing. Playing him, there’s a lot of sleepless nights for me and the offensive staff getting ready for this.”
Notes: Linebacker Justin Durant still hasn’t been cleared to return from the concussion he suffered against Minnesota, leaving his status for Sunday up in the air. Durant has been the Lions’ most productive linebacker with 21 tackles this year and plays a big role in nickel situations. If he can’t play, Bobby Carpenter will start at left outside linebacker against the team that drafted him in the first round in 2006. … Calvin Johnson (ankle), Louis Delmas (abdomen), Kyle Vanden Bosch (rest) and Aaron Berry (groin) all returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday.
