Cowboys Take Over Ford Field and Defeat Lions, 35-27
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Sunday at Ford Field felt different. Well, more on that later.
The Lions wore white jerseys at home for the first time since November 26, 1970, against the Raiders.
With Matthew Stafford inactive, Cowboy fans flocked to Ford Field to support their team, and got to enjoy a 35-27 Dallas victory.
Earlier on Sunday, it was reported that Stafford could miss up to a month and a half of action due to his back injury.
In this Week 11 tilt vs. the Cowboys, the Ford Field crowd cheered heavily for Jerry Jones' squad.
Throughout the game, there were many loud "DEFENSE" and "Let's Go Cowboys!" chants.
Detroit, led by backup passer Jeff Driskel, kept the game within reach for the majority of the four quarters.
While the Lions were never really out of it, there were very few indications that Detroit could win the game.
To start the game, linebacker Jarrad Davis forced a fumble, and the Lions proceeded to score on their opening drive.
Running back Bo Scarbrough, making his pro debut, gave the Lions the early 7-0 lead.
Scarbrough displayed elusiveness, and the Cowboys had difficulty bringing him down.
The Cowboys' offense got into a rhythm in the second quarter, scoring touchdowns on three offensive drives.
First, Dak Prescott found running back Tony Pollard for a 21-yard touchdown pass.
Dallas No. 1 back Ezekiel Elliott then scored on a 1-yard rush to give the Cowboys a 17-14 advantage.
And on Dallas' final drive of the half, Prescott found Randall Cobb for a 19-yard touchdown.
Similar to last week, the Lions lost key contributors to injury.
Both safety Tracy Walker and defensive end Trey Flowers left the game with injuries.
Flowers did end up returning before the game ended, but then left again in the fourth quarter.
In the third quarter, Driskel orchestrated a 10-play, 75-yard drive which culminated in an 11-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Jones Jr.
Again, the Lions were unable to get a key stop in the second half.
The Cowboys went on a 4:00, 10-play drive that resulted in a Brett Maher 34-yard field goal.
To start the fourth quarter, the Cowboys systemically marched down the field on an 11-play, 84-yard drive.
Prescott connected with Elliott for a 17-yard passing touchdown that gave the Cowboys a 35-21 lead.
At this point, Prescott & Co. had scored on six of their last seven possessions.
Prescott finished with three touchdown passes and 444 yards through the air, as well as another 18 on the ground.
Detroit scored once more via a 25-yard TD pass from Driskel deep down the middle to Jones.
It gave Jones two TD catches on the afternoon.
With the loss, the Lions fall to 3-6-1, and any hopes of a playoff appearance are now over.
The Cowboys and their fans took over Ford Field, and "America's Team" improves to 6-4 with the victory.
For the team that actually plays in Detroit, the conversation will now likely shift to the future of the injured Stafford.
