Here are five things the Lions (3-0) must do to beat the Cowboys (2-1) on Sunday at Cowboys Stadium:

1. Contain linebacker DeMarcus Ware. The Lions did a good job containing him last year when they lost 35-19. He’s got five sacks in the first three games. Stafford was sacked five times last week so there’s no doubt the offensive line has been working on protecting the franchise this week.

2. Run the ball. The Lions have had some trouble in this area, they already miss Mikel Leshoure. It could get tougher against the Cowboys who excel at stopping the run. However, in Minnesota they used short passes to Brandon Pettigrew to take the place of the run game. That might work again.

3. Get the ball to Calvin. Don’t think this will be an issue. Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford have connected for a pair of touchdowns in each of the first three games. Stafford is a little angry about Cris Carter’s lack of respect for Johnson so he might try to find him even more often.

4. Get to Tony Romo early. Romo is still hurting with a broken rib and while Ndamukong Suh said it’s not his style to target an opponent’s injured area, suspiciously Suh knows it’s on his right side. But seriously if Suh lands on any part of Romo’s body there will be pain. It’s always the goal to rattle the quarterback early and this is no different.

5. Maintain attitude. While the Lions have become national media darlings — heck it was just two years ago they were 2-14 — they know that all they’ve done is win three games. They have to maintain that hunger and at the same time play with confidence. They’ve done it for three games. If they keep their eyes off the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders (just kidding) there’s no reason they can’t do it again.

Prediction: Lions 31, Cowboys 27

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