This is what you need to be watching when the Cowboys host the Lions

This Sunday’s Dallas Cowboys game against the Detroit Lions is a perfect storm of best vs. worst.

The Lions’ pass defense is the best in the NFL through three games, holding opponents to a combined 456 yards in the air. At the same time, they have the worst rush defense, allowing a league-high 448 yards and 5.4 yards a run.

Do the Cowboys try to exploit that with Ezekiel Elliott? Or do they try to open up their passing game and get Dak Prescott on the same page with his receiving corps? In Dallas’ perfect world, they do both.

Five things to watch at noon Sunday:

1. Slowing Stafford

Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown 135 times in three games, the third-most in the league. The Cowboys’ pass defense hasn’t been too shabby either. Cornerback Byron Jones has the best coverage grade through three games. Dallas’ pass defense ranks fourth best and the Cowboys’ 843 total yards allowed is third-fewest in the league.

2. Speaking of passing

About the passing game, how about one from the Cowboys? Prescott and and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan say they might show a little more variation this week. Now would be a good time to start using everything you think your offense has, you know, to win games. No reason to be holding back anymore, if there ever was one in the first place. Dallas’ receivers are getting open, according to Cole Beasley and Allen Hurns, and there is plenty of film that supports the claim. Getting the receivers more involved will only help the running game.

3. Leighton Live!

Rookie linebacker Leighton Vander Esch makes his first NFL start in place of the injured Sean Lee. Those are big shoes to fill, but defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli is confident that Vander Esch is ready. Plus, Jaylon Smith is playing like the Cowboys’ hoped two years ago when they drafted him with the 34th overall pick despite a knee injury that required surgery and wiped out his entire rookie season.

4. Seize the Zeke

Elliott is coming off his first 100-yard game last week (127 yards on 16 carries) and could have a big day against the Lions’ worst-ranked run defense. Elliott’s 7.94 yards a carry against Seattle is the second-best average in a game in 28 career games. All signs point to him having a big day. Elliott’s best day rushing was 159 yards against the Bucs in December 2016. Against the Lions on Dec. 26, 2016, Elliott rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

5. Pressure on Prescott

Pressure is mounting, and we’re not just talking from the defensive line. Whether it’s acknowledged or not by the Cowboys, Prescott needs to elevate his passing game. True, if he leads Dallas to a win without putting up impressive passing numbers, no one will care. But the Cowboys should care. The offense needs to give defenses something more to think about than Elliott or even Prescott keeping it on the run-pass option. Prescott needs to do it for the remaining defenses on the schedule. He needs to do it for the morale of his receivers. He needs to do it to ease potential deep-seated concerns that he’s incapable of spreading defenses out with his arm.