Cowboys-Lions takeaways: Jahmyr Gibbs scores 3 TDs as Barry Sanders watches Detroit win

By Colton Pouncy, Jon Machota and Alex Valdes

It’s been a topsy-turvy season for the Detroit Lions. Thursday night was topsy.

Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for three touchdowns and Jared Goff threw for 309 yards as the Lions defeated the Dallas Cowboys 44-30 at Ford Field. Gibbs tied Lions legend Barry Sanders — in attendance at the game — for the most touchdowns (47) before turning 24 years old.

Detroit, which only had a 30 percent chance to make the playoffs entering the game, improved to 8-5. Dallas (23 percent) dropped to 6-6-1 and had its three-game win streak snapped.

Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb had six catches for 121 yards but left the game with a concussion in the third quarter.

Jahmyr Gibbs ties Barry Sanders for the most TDs before turning 24!

He has 47 in his career 🔥

DALvsDET on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/dbU9nQtyDb

— NFL (@NFL) December 5, 2025

Lions rise to the occasion

The Cowboys were heating up at the right time, winning three of four. Their offense was already among the best in the league. Their defense had tightened things up after some high-quality deadline additions. They looked like a dangerous team, while the Lions limped into Week 14, losers of three of their previous five contests.

But there’s something about Detroit when pushed to the brink. It tends to hunker down and rise to the occasion. We haven’t seen it much this season, but we did Thursday night. This was a gutsy performance by the Lions in a game they absolutely needed. The offense was brilliant. The defense got five sacks and three turnovers. It wasn’t always pretty, but they took care of business. — Colton Pouncy, Lions beat writer

Detroit’s playoff hopes boosted

If the Lions had lost, their playoff chances would’ve fallen from 30 percent to 12 percent. Dallas would’ve passed Detroit in the standings. The Lions are now 8-5 and the playoff push is very much alive. The Athletic’s playoff simulator now gives Detroit a 45 percent chance. If the Lions win three of their final four games, it should get them in. Easier said than done, and there’s still work to do, but this was a huge step in the right direction. — Pouncy

Dallas hopes are hurting

The playoff window is not closed, but it took a major hit. A win would’ve pretty much allowed the Cowboys to control their fate. Now, their chances drop to 40 percent if they win their remaining four games. This loss shouldn’t completely take away from what they’ve accomplished over the previous three games, beating the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. But it does show that there’s still a lot that needs to be cleaned up. — Jon Machota, Cowboys reporter

Special teams, run D were poor

Special teams was subpar, particularly in kickoff coverage. The Detroit starting field position average was pretty much midfield. The run defense was the worst it has been since adding Quinnen Williams. Defensive help is obviously still needed, particularly on the back end. But there also wasn’t nearly enough pressure on Goff. I do wonder how the game would have gone if Lamb hadn’t exited with the concussion. — Machota