Eric Woodyard
Todd Archer
Todd Archer
ESPN Workers Author
Todd Archer is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has coated the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010.
DETROIT — Because the Detroit Lions entered Thursday’s sport with a 7-5 document, working again Jahmyr Gibbs described the regular-season homestretch as “must-win video games.”
The primary problem was an enormous one towards a surging Dallas Cowboys group, however the Lions proved as much as the duty with a 44-30 victory. Detroit’s odds to make the playoffs improved from 43% earlier than the sport to 56% with the win, in keeping with ESPN Analytics.
“We have to deal with it like playoff video games,” Gibbs informed ESPN beforehand. Gibbs responded with three landing runs and 77 receiving yards. His 5 video games with a number of TD runs are tied for second most in a season in Lions historical past.
The Lions additionally obtained a lift from WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, who suited up after being a game-time choice due to an ankle harm. St. Brown had six catches for 92 yards.
It was the fifth time this season the Lions have scored a minimum of 35 factors, essentially the most within the NFL.
Detroit Lions (8-5)
Turning level: Throughout a pivotal second, Lions WR Jameson Williams delivered a third-down conversion with a 29-yard catch at 8:26 within the fourth after Dallas pulled inside three factors. Williams’ huge catch helped arrange a 10-yard landing run by Gibbs on the identical drive to push the Lions forward 37-27 with 7:17 left.
Development to observe: Lions All-Professional offensive sort out Penei Sewell has allowed a sack for the fourth consecutive sport, which is the longest streak of his profession, per ESPN Analysis. Within the opening quarter, his former teammate James Houston juked previous Sewell to sack QB Jared Goff on third down. Sewell hasn’t given up a streak of sacks since his rookie season in 2021.
Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston share congratulatory messages after Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery break their document for TDs by a RB duo within the Tremendous Bowl period.#ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/h5ylzn7AL4
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 5, 2025
Stat to know: That is the fifteenth time that Gibbs and David Montgomery have scored a landing in the identical sport, breaking a tie with the Cowboys’ Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston for essentially the most by a pair of RB teammates within the Tremendous Bowl period. Smith and Johnston shared congratulatory messages by way of social media for Detroit’s duo after they broke the document. Gibbs has scored 47 profession touchdowns, tying Corridor of Famer Barry Sanders for essentially the most touchdowns in a participant’s first three NFL seasons. He additionally has three video games this season with three touchdowns, essentially the most by a Lions participant in a season since Cloyce Field in 1952. — Eric Woodyard
Subsequent sport: at Los Angeles Rams (Dec. 14, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
The Dallas Cowboys’ playoff probabilities had been dampened with their loss to the Detroit Lions. ESPN Analytics places the Cowboys’ playoff probabilities at 8% with 4 video games left after their first loss for the reason that bye week.
At 6-6-1, the Cowboys lose head-to-head tiebreakers towards the Lions, Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears. Dallas’ finest likelihood of constructing the postseason could be profitable the NFC East, which might require Philadelphia (8-4) to falter.
Turnovers (one fumble, one interception), key penalties, just like the one which worn out a cross interference penalty at Lions 4, and too many huge performs allowed by the protection had been expensive for the Cowboys. The Cowboys probably have to win their 4 remaining video games to have an opportunity.
Development to observe: On an evening when Javonte Williams topped 1,000 yards this season, the run sport scuffled. By three quarters, the Cowboys had one run prime 10 yards. Although the Cowboys rushed for 125 yards and 137 yards of their wins towards the Eagles and Chiefs, respectively, 109 of these yards got here on 4 carries, together with a 43-yard landing run by Malik Davis towards Kansas Metropolis. The Cowboys’ run sport has not been constant, and it wants to seek out it once more with 4 video games to play.
Stat to know: Struggling to get to the quarterback in latest video games, with 4 sacks of their 4 earlier video games, the Lions sacked Dak Prescott thrice within the first half. Prescott had 2.65 seconds to throw within the first half. Of their three-game profitable streak, he had a minimum of 2.8 seconds to throw. Two of the three sacks got here on the blitz. Within the first 12 video games, he had been sacked simply six instances towards the blitz.
Turning level: Regardless of not scoring a landing within the first half and trailing 20-9, the Cowboys hoped to make use of the primary drive of the second half to determine themselves. Catastrophe struck on the primary play. Prescott’s cross — to George Pickens — was tipped and intercepted by Derrick Barnes. Two performs later, Jared Goff hit Isaac TeSlaa for a 12-yard landing to up the result in 18 factors. It was a horrible 42 seconds for the Cowboys. — Todd Archer
Subsequent sport: vs. Minnesota Vikings (Dec. 14, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
