(Detroit) Jahmyr Gibbs scored three touchdowns, the last on a 13-yard run with 2:19 remaining, sealing the Detroit Lions’ crucial 44-30 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night.
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The Lions (8-5) thus avoided two consecutive defeats for the first time in more than three years and hope to get closer to the playoffs one month before the end of the regular season.
The Cowboys (6-6-1) had made a remarkable entry into the race for the playoffs thanks to a series of three victories. But against the Lions, the best offense in the NFL had to rely too much on its powerful kicker, Brandon Aubrey, and the revitalized Cowboys defense was put in difficulty.
Jared Goff completed 25 of 34 passes for 309 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown pass to receiver Isaac TeSlaa, making it 27-9 in favor of the Lions.
The Cowboys cut the lead to just three points twice in the fourth quarter, including with 3:42 remaining when Aubrey tied a career-high with his fifth field goal of the game.
Tom Kennedy returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield and Goff threw a 37-yard pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown, allowing Gibbs to score his third touchdown.
Gibbs had seven receptions for 77 yards and 12 carries for 43 yards. Williams had seven receptions for the second straight game and finished with 96 yards.
St. Brown, who was a questionable case due to an ankle injury, confirmed his importance with six receptions for 92 yards and numerous decisive blocks for his teammates.
The Lions’ Al-Quadin Muhammad had a career-high three sacks, while Jack Campbell had a sack and forced a fumble for a team that has struggled to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks of late.
Dak Prescott would have liked this trend to continue.
Prescott suffered five sacks and was pressured on numerous occasions. He completed 31 of 47 passes for 376 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. It lost its primary receiver in the third quarter when CeeDee Lamb suffered a concussion after having six receptions for 121 yards.
Aubrey, 30, made field goals of 63, 57 and 55 yards, becoming the first NFL kicker to make three field goals of 55 yards or more in the same game, according to Sportradar.
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