Jameer Gibbs and a defense that suddenly caused pressure and turnovers helped Detroit Lions stay in contention for a playoff spot.
Gibbs scored three touchdowns, including a 13-yarder with 2:19 left to seal a much-needed 44-30 win for the Lions. Dallas Cowboys on Thursday evening.
The Lions sacked Dak Prescott five times – a week after they had no sacks in a loss to Green Bay – and threw two interceptions and recovered a fumble.
“You could see the urgency rising in everyone,” Jared Goff said.
The Lions (8-5) avoided back-to-back losses for the first time in more than three years. They remain outside the playoffs with four games remaining but have greatly improved their chances.
“They're not panicking,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said. “We played our best game all year.”
Detroit's chance of making the playoffs is now 54%, while Dallas's chance of making the playoffs has dropped to 7%, according to the data. NFL.
The Cowboys (6-6-1) entered postseason contention on a three-game winning streak. But against the Lions, the NFL's top rusher had to rely too heavily on powerful kicker Brandon Aubrey, and Dallas' revamped defense was overwhelmed.
“It seemed like every time we picked up the pace, they came up with another explosive play,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “They have a lot of speed and can make big plays.”
Goff went 25 of 34 for 309 yards with a 12-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa that gave Detroit a 27-9 lead.
Dallas pulled within three points twice in the fourth quarter, including with 3:42 left when Aubrey tied his career-high with his fifth field goal.
Tom Kennedy returned the kickoff to midfield and Goff threw a 37-yard pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown to set up Gibbs' third score.
Gibbs had seven catches for 77 yards and 43 yards on 12 carries.
“He's unique,” Campbell said. “He's special.”
Williams had seven catches for the second straight game and finished with 96 yards. St. Brown, who was listed as questionable with an ankle injury, left no doubt about his value with six catches for 92 yards and numerous key blocks for teammates.
“He was going to leave and no one was going to talk him out of it,” Campbell said.
Detroit's Al-Quadin Muhammad recorded a career-high three sacks, and Jack Campbell had a sack and forced a fumble for a team that didn't put much pressure on defensive backs.
Prescott would like to see that trend continue.
He was sacked five times and pressured many more, going 31-of-47 for 376 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He lost his top target in the third quarter when CeeDee Lamb suffered a concussion after six catches for 121 yards.
George Pickens didn't take advantage, catching just five of nine passes for 37 yards.
Dallas settled for too many field goals from their standout kicker.
The 30-year-old Aubrey had conversions of 63, 57, 55, 42 and 29 yards, becoming the first in NFL history to make three field goals or 55 yards or more in a game, according to Sportradar.
“These guys aren't upset right now, they're angry,” Prescott said. “We just need to use it properly as fuel for the rest of the season.”
