By Roy J. Akers- www.skyviewsports.net
For the Detroit Lions, this game was not about revenge. It seems every time Detroit travels to Dallas, officials ether swallow their whistles or make inexplicable calls that result in a controversial Lions’ loss. Last year, it was the Taylor Decker ineligible receiver call after he caught a 2-point conversion that was called back. It should have resulted in a Lions 21-20 win instead of a 20-19 loss to the Cowboys.
First Quarter Off. Stat Leaders 1st Qtr.
Dallas moved the football on their first two drives with great catches by Cee Dee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert, the latter schooled Lions rookie Terrion Arnold. Dallas settled on a 54 yard field goal. The Lions moved the football themselves on their first offensive possession. David Montgomery’s 1st quarter 17-yard TD Run was a highlight reel run where inside the five, he appeared to be dragged down but using agility and power, Montgomery used his will to find the end zone. He had three runs for 28 yards. Tim Patrick caught a 42-yard grab where the defender interfered with him (no call). Dallas moves the ball on their second drive nine plays for 62 yards, but Brian Branch intercepts Dak Prescott in the end zone. The Lions take over with 3:54 to go in the quarter. Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams all have hefty gains on runs. Williams drops a likely TD grab around the 25 , but catches a 16-yard crossing route grab for a first down. The quarter ends. After one, Lions 7- Dallas -3. Key play- Montgomery’s 17-yard rushing touchdown.
Second Quarter
The Lions complete a 12 play 58 yard drive in 6:06. Bates drills the field goal from 40 yards out. Det. 10- Dallas 3. The Cowboys do not get untracked on their first drive of the second quarter and punt with 12:30 to go in the half. The Lions have used trick plays in their last three games with Sam LaPorta catching a flea-flicker from Goff for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Dallas was fooled on the play. Detroit 17- Dallas 3. Lions drive: 3 plays, 63 yards, 0:51.
Dallas does nothing with their next drive. They punt. 3 plays, -10 yards, 1:22. The Lions continue to put on a clinic in front of the Cowboys home crowd. Montgomery with another power run and St. Brown with a razzle dazzle for YAC after the catch move the chains. The Lions stall from there. After a two-yard first down run by Gibbs, the Lions settle for a 48-yard field goal by Jake Bates. Lions 20 to 3 over the Cowboys. 11 plays, 39 yards, 6:20. Dallas has another muddling drive and Prescott goes for it on fourth and two on the Dallas 38. Tolbert is the intended target and Detroit rookie Terrion Arnold breaks up the pass. The turnover of downs gives Detroit the ball on the Cowboy’s 38. The Lions run an efficient drive where x players get the football. Tim Patrick has the big play of a 17-yard grab and a second grab good for a TD that was spotted at the Dallas one. (0:36 – 2nd) Taylor Decker and DanSkipper reported in as eligible. D.Montgomery right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Bates extra point is GOOD, Lions 27- Dallas-3. Dallas has a good kickoff return and scores a late field goal. Detroit 27- Dallas six.
Third Quarter
Detroit gets the ball to start the second half and they put on a clinic. The Lions are hungry. David Montgomery has a 16 Yd Rush. The key play is a Jameson Williams Pass From Jared Goff for 37 Yds Jake Bates Made Ex. Pt 5 plays, 70 yards, 2:15. Detroit 34- Dallas 6. Aiden Hutchinson earns his first sack of the day on the next Dallas drive.
Just a few plays later, he went down with what Fox Sports Kevin Burkhardt said was a ‘gruesome injury.’ He also said he heard on a field mic Hutchinson said he broke his leg. Players from both teams came out to the stretcher to pray and give him well wishes. Dallas does move the football and scores their third field goal of the game. Detroit 34- Dallas 9.
The Lions are not done
Jared Goff connects to Kalif Raymond for 38 yards and David Montgomery runs like a locomotive for 17 more punishing tacklers trying to bring him down. The Lions drive stalls after a penalty and a Dallas sack. Jake Bates Made 33 Yd Field Goal. 6 plays, 44 yards, 3:22 Detroit 37- Dallas 9. Dallas. Prescott connects to Lamb for 17 yards but a few plays later, Brian Branch forces a fumble after a Prescott completion to Ryan Flournoy.
The turnover gives Detroit the football and they quickly go on the move. Here is a summary:
(1:51 – 3rd) J.Gibbs up the middle to DAL 12 for 10 yards (J.Lewis; Do.Wilson).
- 2nd & 8 at DAL 31(2:35 – 3rd) (Shotgun) J.Goff pass short right to K.Raymond to DAL 22 for 9 yards (A.Oruwariye).
- 1st & 10 at DAL 33(3:09 – 3rd) (Shotgun) D.Montgomery left tackle to DAL 31 for 2 yards (O.Odighizuwa; C.Golston).
- 1st & 10 at DAL 48(3:51 – 3rd) J.Gibbs up the middle to DAL 33 for 15 yards (C.Golston).
- 1st & 10 at DET 28(4:24 – 3rd) J.Goff pass short left to J.Williams pushed ob at DAL 48 for 24 yards (M.Hooker).
Fourth Quarter
The drive stalls from there and Detroit kicks their fourth field goal of the game. Detroit 40- Dallas 9. 9 plays, 57 yards, 5:12
Dallas gets picked off when Prescott’s pass deep middle intended for .Brooks INTERCEPTED by Branch at the DET 49. Branch rumbles 47 yards. The Lions make them pay one play later from the Dallas 4. A Jared Goff four yard Pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown Pass From Jared Goff for 4 Yds, Detroit 47- Dallas 9. 1 play, 4 yards, 0:04. The Lions are playing a soft prevent defense against Dallas. It shows as the Cowboys move down the field until a Kerby Joseph pickoff in the endzone ended that. Detroit inserts Hendon Hooker into the game. Hooker completes one of two passes for 19 yards and the Lions trusted him to run a fourth down play at the Dallas 40. He was sacked and the Cowboys run Cooper Rush in his second drive of the game.
The Cowboys fumble later in the drive and yes… Detroit recovers. Detroit mops up from there.
Three Stars
First Star- Brian Branch- Two interceptions, one forced fumble, two passes knocked down. Quarterback hits. This guy is a real stud.
Second Star- The Entire Lions Defense- 22 players made the scoresheet listed below. Big games by many players. 11 QB Hits, Four Sacks. Five Tackles for a loss and ten passes defensed. Dallas saw drive after drive go nowhere. America’s Team did not score a TD. Still, the team is hoping Aiden Hutchinson is ok even though it looks like his season is over.
Third Star- Jared Goff
Goff goes 18-25 for 315 yards and three TD’s. His passer rating is 158.3.
Trivia-
The Detroit Lions scored their most points on the road since 1952 when they scored 52 points against the Packers.
David Montgomery Extension
The extension was quiet and happened during the NFL season. Lions reward RB David Montgomery with well-earned extension. In ensures Montgomery will be in the Detroit Lions‘ backfield for at least the next three seasons after receiving a well-earned contract extension. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Lions and Montgomery have agreed on a two-year, $18.2 million deal on Saturday, keeping the 27-year-old in Honolulu blue until 2027. Montgomery’s 1st quarter TD Run was a highlight reel 17- yard run where inside the five, he appeared to be dragged down but using agility and power, Montgomery used his will to find the end zone.
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporter and covers several sports for www.skyviewsports.net
