Sweet Home, Dallas: Cowboys Snap Skid With Wild 20-19 Win Over Lions
ARLINGTON - The Dallas Cowboys came into Saturday night's game against the Detroit Lions with a playoff spot already locked up, but amidst a two-game losing streak, this certainly felt like a must-win for America's Team.
In their return to AT&T Stadium, where they have not lost since last September, the Cowboys got the job done with a crucial 20-19 win. ... with an ending that Dallas coach Mike McCarthy jokingly called "a 2-point extravaganza.''
For a game featuring two high-octane offenses, this was a surprisingly low-scoring affair. Heading into the fourth quarter, both teams were knotted up at 10 with the game completely up in the air.
Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb
The Lions took the lead first with a field goal, but the Cowboys came right back to re-gain the advantage. Dallas went on a nine-play. 75-yard drive that lasted almost five minutes, with Dak Prescott finding Brandin Cooks for the go-ahead score.
Just like last week, when Cooks also scored the go-ahead touchdown against the Miami Dolphins, there was still a lot of time on the clock.
Unfortunately for Cowboys fans' heart rates, the Lions found the end zone with Jared Goff hitting Amon-Ra St. Brown from 11 yards out. The Lions went for the two-point conversion and the win, but after three separate attempts due to penalties, came up short, preserving the win for Dallas.
Detroit coach Dan Campbell's sideline response to the refs' involvement?
"No (bleeping) way!'' Campbell screamed.
Prescott completed 26 of 38 passes for 345 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. However, the real star of the show was receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had 13 catches for a career-high 227 yards and a touchdown. In the process, Lamb broke Michael Irvin's record for the most receiving yards in a season.
On the Lions side, Goff completed 19 of 34 passes for 271 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Amon-Ra St. Brown had six receptions for 90 yards, while David Montgomery added 65 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
With the win, the Cowboys remain alive for the NFC East and the top seed in the conference, even if the latter is a long shot. Next up, one more tune-up before the playoffs in the form of a road game against the Washington Commanders on Jan. 7. But for now?
"These are the kind of games,'' McCarthy said, "where character is enhanced.''
