Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys live on Sky sports 1
Saturday 31 December 2016 08:55, UK
The Dallas Cowboys confirmed home field advantage for the play-offs, after the New York Giants lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.
With the NFC's championship now set to go through Dallas, head coach Jason Garrett must now decide whether to continue playing his starters, or rest them to avoid injury.
In a weekend where both Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota were lost for the remainder of their teams' campaigns, it is now up to Garrett to choose between consistency or prevention.
Ezekiel Elliott is still chasing the single-season rookie-rushing record (1,808 yards), but would need to be the feature back if he is to total the 258 yards still required from the Cowboys' last two games.
As well as records, both Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott are in the conversation for Rookie of the Year and regular season MVP, and sitting the last two games would certainly impact their respective candidacies.
Dallas possess able back-ups, with Tony Romo and Darren McFadden waiting in the wings. Romo hasn't played since breaking his back in pre-season, and it seems almost definite that Garrett will give the veteran reps over the next two weeks.
For the Lions, the fight for a post-season berth is still on. Currently, Detroit occupy the 3rd seed, but having lost last week, and with NFC North rival Green Bay Packers up in the season finale, the organisation needs to finish strong in order to win the division for the first time since 1993.
The visitors look likely to travel without key play makers, as centre Travis Swanson, running back Theo Riddick and cornerback Darius Slay missed consecutive practice days.
You can watch the Lions @ Cowboys live on Tuesday December 27, from 1:15am on Sky Sports 1.