Lions vs. Cowboys score, takeaways: Jahmyr Gibbs leads Detroit to huge win on 'Thursday Night Football'

Gibbs scored three times, and Detroit forced three turnovers

The Detroit Lions are right back in the thick of things in the NFC playoff picture, and the Dallas Cowboys are hanging on by a thread. Jahmyr Gibbs scored three touchdowns, Jared Goff threw for 309 yards and a touchdown, and the Detroit defense forced three turnovers in a crucial 44-30 win.

At 8-5, Detroit has a 53% chance to make the playoffs according to SportsLine's projections. Dallas, now 6-6-1, has just a 10% chance. Making matters worse for the Cowboys, CeeDee Lamb sustained a concussion after a hard fall in the third quarter and did not return.

Gibbs scored the first touchdown of the game, a 1-yard plunge. The Detroit offense started inside Dallas territory after a Jack Campbell sack near the goal line forced a punt, and it cashed in fully.

It was a similar script shortly thereafter. Up 10-6, Campbell made a tremendous hustle play to strip Jake Ferguson. Four plays later, David Montgomery went 35 yards for a touchdown. Detroit led, 20-9, at halftime.

Things looked even worse for Dallas when Dak Prescott threw an interception on the first play of the third quarter, and worse still after Goff found Isaac TeSlaa for a touchdown. But Dallas didn't quit, with Javonte Williams and Ryan Flournoy touchdowns -- sandwiched around field goals by both teams -- cutting the deficit to 30-27.

Ultimately, though, the Cowboys just couldn't get enough stops. Goff led another touchdown drive that included a huge 29-yard completion to Jameson Williams on third-and-6; Gibbs would later score from 10 yards out. After a Dallas field goal, Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown -- who was not expected to play after missing practice all week with an ankle injury -- for 37 yards, and Gibbs completed his trifecta from 13 yards away.

D.J. Reed intercepted Prescott to put the icing on the cake.

The Lions get another difficult test in Week 15 against the NFC West leading Rams (9-3). The Cowboys will look to right the ship against the 4-8 Vikings, the NFC North cellar-dwellers.

Jahmyr Gibbs' star continues to rise

With 47 career touchdowns Gibbs is now tied with Lions legend Barry Sanders for most ever through a player's first three seasons, and Gibbs still has five games left. And after Thursday's win, the same could be said for Detroit as a whole, too.

Gibbs is a truly special talent. His yardage on the ground -- 43 yards on 12 carries -- was relatively pedestrian. But when you add in seven catches for 77 yards in addition to the three touchdown runs, you see just how impressive of a game it was. And it's not just the numbers, but how he gets them. On the opening drive, he took a short checkdown pass, juked out a linebacker and sped for a 26-yard gain. On a third-and-long in the third quarter, he juked Da'Ron Bland so badly Bland ended up out of bounds ... and Gibbs ended up with a first down.

The historic company Gibbs is keeping is no accident. For a player with his speed and quickness, he also has good power and vision, and he is a terrific pass catcher. A true superstar.

Detroit's defense makes enough plays; Dallas' runs out of gas

The Cowboys actually out-gained the Lions 417-408, and Dallas averaged a respectable 5.5 yards per play.

The difference, though, was the negative plays. Detroit turned its first two turnovers forced into 14 points, and the third takeaway ended the game. The Lions also sacked Prescott five times, a surprise not only because Prescott had been sacked just twice over the past three weeks, but because the Lions themselves only produced two sacks over the past three weeks.

Thursday was different. Very different. Al-Quadin Muhammad had a career-high three sacks and is now up to a career-high nine on the season. Campbell and Alim McNeill accounted for the other two sacks, and though Aidan Hutchinson didn't end up with a sack, he created havoc all night.

The Cowboys' defense, which had played better since adding Quinnen Williams to the mix and getting healthier, got gashed. Detroit had six plays of 25 or more yards, tied for its second-most in a game this season. Five of those were on passes, and one was this Montgomery touchdown, an incredible effort from seven-year veteran but a lane discipline and tackling breakdown for Dallas.

After all the good feelings of the three-game winning streak, Dallas needs to play much better and get a ton of help to make the postseason. In the overwhelming likelihood that they do not make the postseason, the Cowboys will have lots of questions defensively.

Amon-Ra St. Brown personifies Detroit's toughness, resilience

St. Brown finished with six catches for 92 yards a week after an ugly-looking ankle injury. Detroit was without several defensive backs and lost two more to injury during the course of this game.

But guys step up. That's a sign of a good team -- a team built to last. And how about this? Detroit has now won 15 of their last 15 games that came directly after a loss. That is tied for the second-longest streak in NFL history. The Lions haven't lost consecutive games in a season since 2022. That is truly remarkable.

Give immense credit to Dan Campbell, too. He is a tremendous coach, play caller -- a role he took over just a few weeks ago -- and leader. Teams reflect their coaches and their best players, and it's hard to find ones better than Campbell, Gibbs, St. Brown, Hutchinson and others.

More history for Brandon Aubrey

Aubrey went five for five on field goals with makes from 57, 42, 55, 63 and 29 yards. That makes him the ...

• first player ever to make three field goals of 55+ yards in one game
• first player ever to make three field goals of 60+ yards in one season

Just a machine. Our John Breech has an expanded look at Cowboys' star kicker.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 11:25 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

That'll just about do it here.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 11:24 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

No practice all week. Not expected to play. Amon-Ra St. Brown, take a bow. He just went 37 yards on second-and-9 to potentially seal this game.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 11:19 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Jake Ferguson appeared to be held by Alex Anzalone on a target near the goal line. Instead, the officiating crew called offensive pass interference on Ferguson, who had performed a simple swim move. Brian Schottenheimer was irate as Dallas had to settle for a field goal.

Meanwhile, Brian Branch was shaken up on the play and took a long while to get to the sideline. Detroit's secondary is running out of players.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 11:04 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Cowboys' defense has done a great job against Gibbs in the run game for most of the night, but not here:

Gibbs is up to 106 yards from scrimmage (29 on the ground) and two touchdowns.

These offenses are going blow for blow.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 11:01 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

On third-and-6, Goff stood in strong in the pocket, allowed Williams to come across the field and hit him in stride for a 29-yard gain. Add in 15 yards for roughing the passer, and Detroit is already in the red zone.

Both offenses just keep answering the other one.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 10:55 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Lions' defense completed busted, and Ryan Flournoy found himself all alone for a 42-yard score. Prescott then found Jake Ferguson for the two-point conversion, and suddenly Dallas is down just three.

What a finish we have ahead!

[Dec 4, 2025 at 10:51 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Detroit's lead is once again two possessions, 30-19, after Jake Bates' 46-yard field goal. Crucially, the Lions took nearly six minutes off the clock, with the run game getting going. The Cowboys are now down 11 with 11:50 left.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 10:33 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Aubrey just drilled a 63-yarder, but not before the drive fizzled out due to a pair of frustrating plays by George Pickens. On third-and-9, he committed offensive pass interference, and on third-and-19, he basically jogged his route, allowing DJ Reed to break up a pass intended for him.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 10:26 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Lions crossed midfield, but on third-and-5, there seemed to be some confusion with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams in the same area. St. Brown will be credited with a drop, but something else clearly went wrong on that play. On the next play, Sam Williams blocked a 52-yard Jake bates field goal attempt.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 10:19 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Lamb landed hard on his head, and he was quickly ruled out. He finished with six catches for 121 yards.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 10:16 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

After a disastrous start to the second half, Dallas responded with a great drive, and Javonte Williams plowed in from 1 yard away for the touchdown.

Now, all eyes are on CeeDee Lamb, who is headed back to the locker room.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 10:15 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Lamb went down hard after trying to reel in a touchdown catch.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 10:04 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

On the very first play from scrimmage of the second half, Amik Robertson jumps a slant route, and the deflection goes to Barnes. The Lions are once again in great position, and the half couldn't have started much worse for Dallas.

UPDATE: Jared Goff threw a touchdown to Isaac TeSlaa.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 9:39 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

He's as close to automatic as it gets.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 9:26 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

What a run from David Montgomery!

The difference in this game, so far, is the Lions have fully cashed in on two short fields, while the Cowboys have settled for two field goals after crossing midfield.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 9:20 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

What a play -- and what a half -- for Jack Campbell. The Lions' linebacker had a sack earlier and now strips Jake Ferguson, with Brian Branch recovering. For the second time tonight, Detroit's offense starts with excellent field position.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 9:14 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

It looked like Dallas jumped offside on third-and-2 -- and Jared Goff certainly thought it did, considering he took a deep shot to Jameson Williams -- but no flag came out. The pass fell incomplete, and the Lions punted.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 9:07 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Cowboys are forced to settle for a field goal after a long drive.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 9:02 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Avonte Maddox has made a couple of nice plays in his place already.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 8:52 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Detroit goes 47 yards on six plays, and Gibbs caps it with a 1-yard score.

Amon-Ra St. Brown had a 27-yard catch-and-run on a quick throw to set up the score. It's incredible he's playing in this game, much less making a huge impact.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 8:48 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Offensive tackle Dan Skipper dropped it, and there was a pre-snap penalty. That was kind of fun, but I don't think we'll see it again.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 8:44 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Dak Prescott appeared to have been sacked in the end zone for a safety, but upon review, they overturned the call because the ball was entirely out of the end zone when the defense first made contact with Prescott.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 8:32 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Nice play by Avonte Maddox, in for Thomas Harper, to break up the third-down pass.

Aubrey's seven field goals from 50+ are tied for third-most in the NFL this season.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 8:27 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Harper's head collided with George Pickens' leg awkwardly. The Lions are already without Kerby Joseph and several other members of the secondary, and now on Detroit's second defensive play of the game, it looks like another member of that group is hurt. 

[Dec 4, 2025 at 8:24 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

All things considered, it's a win for the Dallas defense to stiffen in the red zone and force the Lions to settle for a Jake Bates field goal.

James Houston, who had eight sacks for Detroit as a rookie in 2022 but had just one combined from 2023-24, brought down Jared Goff on third down. Houston now has 5.5 sacks this season and continues to be one of the best under-the-radar free agent finds from this past offseason.

One under-the-radar free agent addition that has helped every NFL playoff hopeful

Zachary Pereles

[Dec 4, 2025 at 8:20 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Gibbs has two touches for 45 yards in the Lions' first four plays. Detroit does such a good job moving him around the formation and using him in a variety of ways, and the Cowboys' linebackers' heads are spinning early.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 8:16 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Lions start with the ball.

[Dec 4, 2025 at 7:45 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Lions play man coverage on 35.5% of their plays. That is the second-highest rate in the entire NFL, only behind the Browns.

But that will be especially difficult against Dallas. George Pickens leads the NFL with 438 receiving yards against man coverage, and CeeDee Lamb is fifth with 277. We'll see how defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard adjusts against such a talented wide receiver duo.