Amon-Ra St. Brown leads Lions to 44-30 victory over Cowboys, boosting playoff chances

The Detroit Lions have shown they are still very much in contention for the NFL playoffs. Jahmyr Gibbs delivered an exceptional performance, catching seven passes for 77 yards and rushing for three touchdowns, while the Lions' defense forced three turnoversmore than they had combined in their previous five games. Detroit defeated the Dallas Cowboys 44-30 at Ford Field in a critical NFC matchup on Thursday Night Football.

Defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad pressured Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott relentlessly, recording three sacks, helping to thwart a late rally. Dallas had to cope without their top receiver, CeeDee Lamb, who left the game with an injury early in the third quarter. Gibbs tied the legendary Barry Sanders with 47 career touchdowns before turning 24, a milestone he will reach in March.

The Lions improved their record to 8-5, keeping them just outside the NFC wild-card positions, yet significantly boosting their postseason chances. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Detroits probability of making the playoffs is now 55%, compared to just 19% if they had lost. The Cowboys, who had won three consecutive games, now hold only a 9% chance and will likely need to win the NFC East to advance, trailing the Philadelphia Eagles (8-4).

Detroit currently ranks eighth in the NFC playoff standings, just behind seventh-place San Francisco 49ers (9-4). The Lions held a 27-9 lead by the third quarter before Dallas narrowed the gap to three points in a high-scoring second half. Gibbs secured his second touchdown to make it 37-27 with 7:17 left, and scored again after a Cowboys field goal, finishing the game as the key offensive weapon.

Quarterback Jared Goff completed 25 of 34 passes for 309 yards, with Jameson Williams (seven receptions, 96 yards) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (six receptions, 92 yards) also contributing significantly. Rookie Isaac TeSlaa added a 12-yard touchdown in the third quarter to extend Detroits lead.

Jahmyr Gibbs Shines

Gibbs has emerged as one of the leagues top running backs. His three-touchdown game pushed him to 47 career touchdowns, tying Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns scored before turning 24. Detroit relied on Gibbs primarily in the passing game, showcasing his versatility and explosive playmaking, especially in the third quarter where he repeatedly gained critical yardage against the Cowboys' defense.

Amon-Ra St. Browns Grit

Despite playing with a sprained ankle, St. Brown delivered a standout performance, helping the Lions maintain offensive momentum. He had four catches for 46 yards in the first half, drew a crucial pass interference penalty, and contributed key gains on slant and post routes that set up Gibbs touchdowns. Coach Dan Campbell highlighted St. Browns intelligence, toughness, and all-around impact on the game.

Lions Winning Streak After Losses

The Lions have not lost consecutive games this season, winning 15 straight contests after a defeat, outscoring opponents by an average of 16.1 points. This streak, ongoing since mid-2022, provides confidence as Detroit approaches its final four games against the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears.

Author: Riley Thompson