The Dallas Cowboys secured a 24-6 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, but not without some drama in the fourth quarter. The Lions, who trailed 17-0 at halftime, mounted a furious comeback in the second half, led by quarterback Jared Goff and running back Jamaal Williams. However, four turnovers in the final 15 minutes doomed their chances of pulling off an upset.
The Cowboys, who improved to 6-1 and extended their lead in the NFC East, dominated the first half with their balanced offense and stifling defense. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes, one to tight end Dalton Schultz and one to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Running back Ezekiel Elliott added a rushing touchdown and finished with 101 yards on 21 carries. The Cowboys’ defense held the Lions to 97 total yards and forced two interceptions, one by cornerback Trevon Diggs and one by safety Damontae Kazee.
The Lions, who fell to 0-7 and remained the only winless team in the NFL, showed some life in the third quarter. Goff connected with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 28-yard touchdown, and Williams scored on a 1-yard run to cut the deficit to 17-14. The Lions’ defense also stepped up, sacking Prescott three times and limiting the Cowboys to 63 yards in the quarter.
The Lions were in position to re-take the lead when Williams fumbled with 12:29 to play, after converting three third downs, including a third-and-12, on a 13-play drive. Dallas failed to convert a third-and-1 on its next possession, but Goff turned the ball over on the Lions’ final three drives to end the game. He threw an interception to linebacker Micah Parsons, who returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, and fumbled twice, once on a strip-sack by defensive end Randy Gregory and once on a hit by linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.
The Cowboys celebrated their fifth straight win, while the Lions lamented their seventh straight loss. Prescott finished with 232 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-28 passing, while Goff had 202 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions on 22-of-36 passing. Williams had 75 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Lamb had 89 yards and a touchdown on six receptions.
The Cowboys will face the Minnesota Vikings on the road next week, while the Lions will host the Philadelphia Eagles.