DETROIT — Jahmyr Gibbs ran for three touchdowns, the last a 13-yarder with 2:19 left that sealed the Detroit Lions’ much-needed 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night.
The Lions (8-5) avoided losing consecutive games for the first time in more than three years as they seek to move into position for a playoff berth with a month remaining in the regular season.
“They don’t get panicked,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We played our best game that we played all year.”
The Cowboys (6-6-1) had surged into postseason contention with a three-game winning streak. But against the Lions, the NFL’s top-ranked offense had to lean on powerful kicker Brandon Aubrey too much, and the Cowboys’ revitalized defense was humbled.
“It seemed like every time we got some momentum, they hit another explosive play,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “They have a lot of speed, and they can make big plays.”
Jared Goff went 25 of 34 for 309 yards with a 12-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa that put the Lions ahead 27-9.
The Cowboys pulled within three points twice in the fourth quarter, including with 3:42 left when Aubrey matched a career high with his fifth field goal.
Tom Kennedy returned the ensuing 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 rushing 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 had been listed as questionable with an ankle injury, left no doubt of his value with six catches for 92 yards and a lot of key blocks for teammates.
“He was going and nobody was going to talk him out of it,” Campbell said.
The Lions’ Al-Quadin Muhammad had a career-high three sacks and Jack Campbell had a sack and forced a fumble for a team that hadn’t been generating much pressure on quarterbacks.
Dak Prescott wished that trend continued.
Prescott was sacked five times and pressured many more. He was 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 he had six catches for 121 yards.
The 30-year-old Aubrey converted from 63, 57 and 55 yards to become the first NFL kicker to make three field goals from 55-plus yards in a game, according to Sportradar.
Injuries
- Cowboys: Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, CB Trevon Diggs and LT Tyler Guyton were inactive.
- Lions: S Brian Branch suffered an ankle injury late in the game. S Thomas Harper, filling in for injured All-Pro Kerby, left the game in the first quarter with a concussion. TE Brock Wright was put on injured reserve earlier in the day and WR/PR Kalif Raymond and S Kerby Joseph were inactive.
Up next
- Cowboys: Host the Minnesota Vikings in prime time on Dec. 14.
- Lions: Visit the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 14.
