Mandy
The Detroit Lions entered Thursday night with a 7-5 record and a clear understanding that the final stretch of the regular season demanded urgency. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs described these final matchups as “must-win games,” and Detroit responded with one of its strongest offensive outings of the year.
The Lions defeated the Dallas Cowboys 44-30, boosting their playoff chances from 43% to 56%, according to ESPN Analytics.
Gibbs’ Dominant Performance Leads Detroit
Before kickoff, Gibbs emphasized that the team needed to approach every game like the postseason — and he backed up his words.
The dynamic running back produced three rushing touchdowns and added 77 receiving yards, marking his fifth multi-TD rushing game of the season.
This ties him for the second-most multi-TD rushing games in a single Lions season.
The Lions also welcomed back Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was initially a game-time decision with an ankle injury.
Despite the uncertainty, St. Brown caught six passes for 92 yards, giving Detroit’s offense another reliable weapon.
This victory represented the fifth time in 2025 that the Lions scored 35 or more points, the highest total in the NFL this season.
Detroit Lions (8-5)
Key Turning Point
One of the game’s defining moments occurred in the fourth quarter. With Dallas closing the gap to three points, Jameson Williams delivered a crucial 29-yard catch on third down at the 8:26 mark.
This big gain kept the drive alive and set up another 10-yard touchdown run by Gibbs, extending the Lions’ lead to 37-27 with 7:17 remaining.
Important Trend
All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell allowed a sack for the fourth straight game — the longest streak of his career, according to ESPN Research.
His former teammate James Houston beat him in the opening quarter to sack Jared Goff on third down.
Sewell hadn’t surrendered consecutive sacks like this since his rookie season in 2021.
Stat To Know
This matchup marked the 15th game in which Gibbs and David Montgomery each recorded at least one touchdown.
That breaks the Super Bowl-era record previously held by Cowboys legends Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston.
The two icons congratulated the Detroit duo on social media for surpassing their historic milestone.
Gibbs has now scored 47 career touchdowns, tying Barry Sanders for the most TDs in a player’s first three seasons with Detroit.
He also logged his third game this year with three touchdowns, a feat last matched by Cloyce Box in 1952.
Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
The Cowboys’ postseason hopes took a major hit following this defeat. Their playoff probability dropped to 8%, per ESPN Analytics, with four games remaining.
Dallas now loses head-to-head tiebreakers against the Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Chicago Bears.
Their most realistic path into the playoffs may be winning the NFC East, which would require an 8-4 Philadelphia Eagles team to stumble.
Costly Mistakes Compound the Loss
Dallas struggled with turnovers — one fumble and one interception — and key penalties, including one that erased a pass interference call at the Lions’ 4-yard line.
Defensively, they surrendered several explosive plays.
To stay in playoff contention, the Cowboys likely must win their remaining four games.
Trend To Watch
While Javonte Williams surpassed 1,000 rushing yards this season, the Cowboys’ own ground game lacked rhythm.
Through three quarters, Dallas had just one run longer than 10 yards. In recent wins against the Eagles and Chiefs, they posted strong rushing totals (125 and 137 yards), but most of those yards came from only four explosive plays — including a 43-yard TD by Malik Davis.
The inconsistency in the run game remains a concern entering the final stretch.
Stat To Know
The Cowboys’ offensive line struggled to protect Dak Prescott. After recording just four sacks in their previous four games, the Lions brought heavy pressure, sacking Prescott three times in the first half.
Prescott averaged 2.65 seconds to throw, compared to the 2.8 seconds or more he enjoyed during the Cowboys’ three-game winning streak.
The Game’s Defining Blow
Trailing 20-9 at halftime, Dallas aimed to reclaim momentum with the first drive of the second half. Instead, disaster struck immediately.
Prescott’s first-play pass toward George Pickens was tipped and intercepted by Derrick Barnes. Two snaps later, Goff connected with Isaac TeSlaa for a 12-yard touchdown, extending Detroit’s lead to 18 points.
The sequence was a brutal 42-second swing that shifted complete control to the Lions.
The Detroit Lions showcased their offensive firepower and resilience, led by a breakout performance from Jahmyr Gibbs, who continues to cement his place in franchise history.
Detroit strengthened its playoff hopes with the convincing win, while the Dallas Cowboys face a steep uphill climb as costly mistakes and inconsistency continue to derail their postseason path.
With four games left, both teams enter a critical phase where every possession — and every play — could determine their postseason fate.
FAQs
How many touchdowns did Jahmyr Gibbs score against the Cowboys?
Gibbs scored three rushing touchdowns and added significant receiving production, helping carry the Lions to a 44-30 win.
How did the loss affect the Cowboys’ playoff chances?
Their postseason odds dropped dramatically to 8%, making the remaining four games essential for any playoff hopes.
What record did Gibbs and Montgomery break?
They set a new Super Bowl-era record for teammates scoring touchdowns in the same game (15 total games), surpassing Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston.