In the tough world of the NFL, moral victories might not officially count, but when you consider how the Dallas Cowboys had been steamrolling over their opponents at AT&T Stadium this season, Detroit’s close 20-19 loss to one of the NFC’s top teams on their turf is a testament to the Lions’ standing among the NFC’s best.
Picture this: The Lions believed they had seized the lead in the dying moments of the game. Quarterback Jared Goff showcased his skill by orchestrating a remarkable 75-yard scoring drive in the last two minutes. The climax? Goff’s pinpoint 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown with just 23 seconds remaining, narrowing the score to 20-19.
In a bold move to clinch the victory, head coach Dan Campbell went for a two-point conversion after Goff’s impressive touchdown pass to St. Brown. Goff connected with left tackle Taylor Decker for the conversion, but alas, a penalty flag for illegal touching nullified those crucial two points. Determined, Detroit took another shot at a two-point play, but this time Goff’s pass to tight end James Mitchell fell incomplete. The missed opportunity swung the game in the Cowboys’ favor, especially when Detroit couldn’t secure the onside kick. With this, the Cowboys narrowly escaped with their closest home win of the season.
Before the Saturday night showdown with the Lions, the Cowboys were riding high with an undefeated record at AT&T Stadium for the year (7-0), boasting an impressive point differential of 279 to 108 against their opponents.
Detroit’s defense showcased its prowess by limiting the opponents to a significant 20 points below their average score at home this season. The pivotal moment came with just two minutes and 39 seconds remaining in the game when Aidan Hutchinson secured his third sack, a crucial play that handed the ball back to the offense. Now armed with the opportunity, the offense had the task of driving 89 yards to secure a potential game-winning score.
Kudos to Goff and the offense for their commendable effort in putting up points late in the game, even though they fell short of those crucial final two points.
The setback brings the Lions to an 11-5 record for the season, maintaining their position as the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoff picture and still holding the title of NFC North division champions. On the flip side, Dallas advances to an 11-5 record, keeping their hopes alive for the NFC East title.
Noteworthy highlights for Detroit included touchdowns from St. Brown (11) and running back David Montgomery (3).
Let’s break down Goff’s performance in the quarterback showdown: By the end of the game, he completed 19 out of 34 passes, throwing for a touchdown but also facing two interceptions, earning a 67.2 rating. While he managed to escape the sack most of the time, it’s worth noting that Dallas’ front seven kept the pressure on him throughout the night, making his job in the pocket quite challenging.
Let’s dive into the quarterback matchup on the Dallas side: Prescott had a solid performance, completing 26 of 38 passes for an impressive 345 yards. He threw two touchdowns but did face one interception, courtesy of Ifeatu Melifonwu, earning a noteworthy 103.5 rating.
The highlight of the game came when the Cowboys secured a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter. Prescott orchestrated a jaw-dropping 92-yard touchdown pass to Lamb. This play had a touch of luck for the Cowboys, as it initially seemed like it could result in a sack and a safety for the Lions. However, linebacker Derrick Barnes missed a potential sack, giving Prescott the chance to evade to his right and launch a deep pass to Lamb. The Lions’ veteran cornerback Kindle Vildor had a misstep at the 45-yard line, and Lamb ended up wide open, catching the ball at the 50-yard line for the spectacular touchdown.
The game took a sharp turn when what seemed like a potential safety, putting the Lions in a 5-0 lead with possession, transformed into a 7-3 deficit. A game-changer indeed.
Highlighting a significant stat, Detroit struggled on third downs, managing only a 4-for-13 conversion rate in the entire contest. This was a departure from their usual performance, entering the game ranked seventh in the NFL with a solid 43.6 percent conversion rate on third downs.
Adding to the challenges, wide receiver Jameson Williams had to exit the game in the second half due to an ankle injury, and unfortunately, he didn’t make a return. Injuries always add an extra layer of complexity to the game.
Let’s break down the game with a closer look at five noteworthy winners and losers:
WINNER: Dak Prescott, Cowboys Prescott once again proved his mettle in crucial games at home. The 30-year-old quarterback showcased his skills by completing 26 of 38 passes for 345 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. While the 92-yard touchdown might have padded his stats, he delivered when it mattered most, securing a vital win to keep the Cowboys in the NFC East race.
LOSER: Jared Goff, Lions Despite Goff’s valiant effort in the final drive that could have leveled the game, he ends up in the loser category. Goff completed 19 of 34 passes for 271 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Though he faced just one sack, his two turnovers proved to be costly in the grand scheme of things.
WINNER: CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys Lamb stole the show with a sensational performance. Exploiting the hit-and-miss nature of the Lions’ secondary, Lamb racked up an impressive 13 catches for 227 yards and a touchdown. Both the catches and yards marked career-high achievements for the 24-year-old, making him the first player in franchise history with 12-plus catches and 225-plus receiving yards in a single game.
LOSER: Two-point Conversions The two-point conversion attempts will be the talk of the town this week. After Goff orchestrated a touchdown drive in the final 20 seconds, Lions head coach Dan Campbell opted for a two-point conversion. While the first attempt, caught by Taylor Decker, hinted at a potential win, it was nullified due to illegal touching. Detroit’s subsequent attempts faced setbacks, including an offside penalty moving the ball back, and ultimately, Goff’s pass to James Mitchell fell short.
WINNER: Aidan Hutchinson, Lions Despite the tough loss, the Lions had standout performances, and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson shone brightest. Hutchinson recorded all three team sacks on the night, showcasing his prowess and contributing significantly to keep the Lions in contention until the final moments—a testament to his standout skills.
NFL Faceoff: Lions at Cowboys – 5 Intriguing Aspects to Follow
After securing the NFC North title with a triumphant road victory against Minnesota last Sunday, the Detroit Lions are gearing up for another challenge tonight in primetime against Dallas. The goal? To extend their winning streak to three games and enhance their position in the NFC playoff standings.
A victory tonight, followed by another one next week against Minnesota, could propel the Lions to the coveted No. 2 seed. There’s even a chance at the top spot, depending on how San Francisco performs in their remaining games. However, the immediate focus for the Lions is handling business tonight against the Cowboys to keep their playoff aspirations on the right track.
- MASTERING THE ROAD CHALLENGE
Tonight’s matchup in AT&T Stadium presents a significant opportunity for the Detroit Lions—they could become the first visiting team to snatch a win from Dallas on their home turf this season. The Cowboys boast an undefeated 7-0 record at home, with a staggering league-high average of 39.9 points per game. To put this into perspective, it’s the third-highest home scoring average since the NFL merger, trailing only the 2011 New Orleans Saints (41.1) and the 2011 Green Bay Packers (40.1). The Cowboys have been dominant, outscoring opponents 279-108 at AT&T Stadium this season.
Lions’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn acknowledged the challenge, emphasizing the unique intensity of the Cowboys’ home games. He pointed out the explosive nature of the Cowboys’ gameplay, crediting it to the crowd’s electric response. “They’re a very explosive team, and we have to be on our P’s and Q’s to start this game off,” Glenn remarked. Dallas aims to achieve an 8-0 home record, a feat achieved only twice in franchise history (1980 and 1981). On the flip side, the Lions have demonstrated resilience on the road throughout the season, boasting a commendable 6-2 record away from home. Tonight’s clash promises to be a test of strengths and strategies in the heart of Cowboys territory.
- RUNNING INTO HISTORY
The Lions’ dynamic duo in the backfield, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, have etched their names in the team’s record books by each surpassing 1,000 scrimmage yards this season. This achievement marks them as only the fourth pair of running backs in team history to reach this milestone.
What’s even more remarkable is that 2023 marks the first time in Detroit’s history that two players have surpassed 800 rushing yards in the same season. Not stopping there, Montgomery and Gibbs have collectively tallied 10 scrimmage touchdowns in a single year, another first in the team’s annals.
As we look ahead, the question arises: Can Montgomery (910 yards) and Gibbs (872 yards) push their season rushing totals to the coveted 1,000-yard mark? The trajectory they’re on suggests it’s a plausible feat. And tonight’s matchup against the Cowboys could be the stage for them to achieve this milestone together. The Cowboys, ranking 19th in rushing defense, allowing an average of 115.7 yards per game, present a promising opportunity for the dynamic duo to make history on the road.
- UNLEASHING PARSONS: A DEFENSIVE GAME-CHANGER
In the defensive realm, Dallas boasts one of the league’s most dynamic players in the form of linebacker Micah Parsons. His stat sheet tells an impressive story: 53 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks, and 30 quarterback hits this season. What makes slowing him down a formidable challenge is the strategic versatility of Dallas, moving him across the field. Parsons has logged 205 reps at left end, 182 at left outside linebacker, 170 at right outside linebacker, 80 at right end, and he’s even seen playing time as an off-ball linebacker in the box.
Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson recognizes the game-changing impact of Parsons, describing him as a “game-wrecker.” Johnson emphasizes the difficulty in tracking Parsons due to his constant movement—each snap sees him in a different location, making it challenging for opposing teams to anticipate his positioning.
For Detroit’s offensive line, the key to success will be a keen awareness of Parsons’ whereabouts throughout the game. Adding to the challenge, the Cowboys have other dynamic rushers who benefit from the attention teams divert towards Parsons. Despite this formidable defensive lineup, the Lions have held their own, allowing the fifth-fewest sacks in the NFL this season with a total of 29. Tonight’s clash will put Detroit’s offensive line to the test against a defensive force led by the versatile and disruptive Micah Parsons.
- THE ST. BROWN REDEMPTION
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s memories of last year’s clash in Dallas are far from ideal. A forearm to the head in the first quarter sidelined him for the rest of the game. Despite passing all concussion tests on the sideline, a change in the NFL concussion policy prevented his return due to caution regarding signs of ataxia.
In that game, St. Brown managed just 10 snaps and a solitary catch for four yards, as the Lions’ passing game struggled against the Cowboys. Looking back on that unfortunate incident, St. Brown is eager to rewrite the narrative this time around.
Reflecting on last year, St. Brown expressed his excitement for the upcoming game in Dallas. “Last year was kind of unfortunate what happened,” he shared. “I’m excited to go out and play. I was only able to play, like, what, barely two drives that game, so I’m just excited to be back out there with the guys in primetime against a good team this late in the season—a team that hasn’t lost at home. It’ll be fun.”
St. Brown has been a standout performer for the Lions this season, leading the team with an impressive 106 receptions and 1,281 yards, along with eight touchdowns. Notably, he’s just 22 receptions away from tying the all-time record for receptions in a player’s first three seasons, currently held by Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson (324). In a stellar performance against the Vikings last week, St. Brown secured 12 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. His anticipation for redemption in Dallas is palpable, setting the stage for a compelling storyline in tonight’s primetime showdown.
- TURNING THE TABLES
A pivotal factor in the Lions clinching the division title last week against Minnesota was their defense’s ability to manufacture four takeaways, all in the form of interceptions. Among them, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu’s first career interception stood out as a game-changer, intercepting a pass at the Lions’ 5-yard line in the final minute to secure the crucial win.
Tonight, the Lions face a formidable challenge in Dallas, a team that has consistently scored over 30 points in every home game this season and ranks sixth in the NFL for total offense. Quarterback Dak Prescott, known for his efficiency, completes an impressive 68 percent of his passes when faced with a blitz. Moreover, Dallas has maintained a league-leading low of 13 giveaways throughout the season.
The big question—can the Lions’ defense replicate the turnover magic that played a significant role in their victory against the Vikings? Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn believes in the contagious nature of turnovers, expressing hope that the trend continues. As they take on a high-scoring and disciplined Dallas offense, the Lions’ ability to create turnovers could be a game-defining factor, just as it was in their division-clinching triumph last week.