Lions Thump the Cowboys in Detroit

DETROIT, MI — Jahmyr Gibbs scored three rushing touchdowns and Detroit’s defense delivered one of its best performances of the season as the Lions defeated the Dallas Cowboys 44-30 on Thursday night at Ford Field.

Gibbs’ 13-yard touchdown run with 2:19 remaining sealed the victory for the Lions (8-5), who avoided losing back-to-back games for the first time in more than three years and kept themselves in the NFC playoff race. Detroit’s playoff probability improved to 54%, while Dallas dropped to 7%, according to the NFL.

The Lions sacked Dak Prescott five times and forced three turnovers — two interceptions and a fumble recovery — one week after failing to record a sack in a loss to Green Bay.

"We knew we needed to take care of the football and take it away; we didn't do that," Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the game. "I thought they played hard, but we gave up too many explosives [plays]."

Goff completed 25 of 34 passes for 309 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown to rookie Isaac TeSlaa that gave Detroit a 27-9 lead. The Cowboys (6-6-1), winners of three straight entering the night, repeatedly settled for field goals from Brandon Aubrey, who tied a career high with five makes. Aubrey became the first player in NFL history to convert three field goals of 55-plus yards in a single game.

“It seemed like every time we got some momentum, they hit another explosive play,” Schottenheimer said. “They have a lot of speed, and they can make big plays.”

Detroit stretched its lead late after Tom Kennedy’s kickoff return to midfield set up a 37-yard pass from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown, leading to Gibbs’ third touchdown. Gibbs finished with 43 yards on 12 carries and added seven catches for 77 yards.

Prescott completed 31 of 47 passes for 376 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions while facing constant pressure. Dallas lost top receiver CeeDee Lamb to a concussion in the third quarter; Lamb had six catches for 121 yards before exiting. George Pickens was limited to five receptions for 37 yards.

Up next
Cowboys: Host Minnesota on Dec. 14 in prime time.
Lions: Visit the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 14.