The Detroit Lions have been spinning their tires lately, but not anymore.
Dan Campbell’s group got a much-needed win on “Thursday Night Football” against the Dallas Cowboys, beating them in convincing fashion, 44-30. It felt like a last stand for both sides – and probably was – as the loser of this game will need plenty of help to reach the postseason.
The Lions now have their sights set on a wild-card spot or even the NFC North, remaining alive in the division race after picking up their eighth win of the year.
It was a night where Jahmyr Gibbs stole the show, adding another three touchdowns to his season-long total. He also tied Barry Sanders in the process for the most touchdowns in NFL history before turning 24 with 47.
Jared Goff avoided any critical mistakes and enjoyed the benefit of Amon-Ra St. Brown’s quick return from an ankle injury he suffered on Thanksgiving.
Both teams entered Week 14 feeling like they were heading in opposite directions. That rings true after the contest, but this time it’s the Cowboys that must be feeling like their season is slipping away – especially after losing CeeDee Lamb to a concussion.
Here’s how the action unfolded in Detroit between the Lions and Cowboys.
Lions vs. Cowboys Thursday Night Football takeaways
Sleep on the Lions at your own risk: It hasn’t been a glamorous season for the Lions, who were bound to take a step back after finishing 15-2 in 2024. They might still be on the outside looking in for now, but this offense dropped 44 points and made it look easy. The defense needs work and injuries are taking their toll, however, Dan Campbell’s team keeps fighting. Don’t count them out in the season’s final weeks.
Jahmyr Gibbs is, somehow, underrated: He’s lightning quick and has 16 touchdowns in 13 games after three more on Thursday night, but the first names you hear about the Lions are always Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Dan Campbell. Gibbs is now tied Barry Sanders with the most touchdowns in NFL history before turning 24 with 47. He is a game-wrecker that can beat you in a variety of ways and has taken on a larger workload while David Montgomery fades into the background. Gibbs should be mentioned as one of the game’s biggest stars. Maybe another great performance in prime time will do that.
Jameson Williams might be WR1: St. Brown went down with an ankle injury on Thanksgiving and likely had many Detroit fans panicking. Williams responded by collecting seven catches on 10 targets for 144 yards and a touchdown. St. Brown returned in Week 14, but trailed Williams for team lead with nine targets, catching seven of them for 96 yards. The receiver is capable of a lot more than being a deep ball threat. Detroit would be wise to feature him more than they were before St. Brown’s injury.
No CeeDee, no problem: It wasn’t a good game for George Pickens, or anyone associated with the Cowboys’ offense, but they didn’t really skip a beat once Lamb departed with a concussion early in the third quarter. They managed 21 points in the second half while trying to mount a comeback. Dallas averaged 34.7 points per game without Lamb for three weeks earlier in the season. They continued to be productive without him on Thursday night.
A little referee transparency would go a long way: Controversy always seems to have a way of finding the NFL. It only makes sense in a league where the margins are so thin. Yet a weird offensive pass interference call in favor of Detroit was an issue down the stretch. A missed offsides that hurt the Lions was a talking point earlier in the game. A safety was overturned on replay while rules analyst Terry McCaulay was puzzled. After the commercial break, fans saw the replay the league had to overturn the call. The ACC in college has let broadcasters peel back the curtain to see the process play out. There’s no reason the NFL couldn’t do the same – and we’d all be better off.
Cowboys playoff odds
The Cowboys chances to make the playoffs dropped to just 8% after their loss to the Lions on ‘Thursday Night Football’ in Week 14, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
With a win, their chances would’ve improved to 39%.
Lions-Cowboys score update: Jahmyr Gibbs puts Lions up big
This one is all but over: A Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown puts the Lions up 14 with minutes left in the fourth. Barring a miracle comeback, Detroit is going to get the win – an especially valuable one in the NFC playoff race. Lions 44, Cowboys 30
Brian Branch injury update: Lions safety carted off
On the Jake Ferguson offensive pass interference call, standout safety Brian Branch came up hobbled. After being tended to by trainers on the field, he was loaded onto a cart and taken to the locker room with an ankle injury.
Lions-Cowboys score update: Brandon Aubrey again hits field goal
With under four minutes left, rather than take a shot at the end zone, the Cowboys opted for another Brandon Aubrey FG to bring the score difference to a touchdown. The Lions get the ball with a chance to put it away. Lions 37, Cowboys 30
Cowboys flagged for questionable offensive pass interference
With an opportunity to put a big dent into the Lions’ lead late, tight end Jake Ferguson was flagged for a questionable offensive pass interference call that led to a Cowboys fourth down.
As noted by officiating guru Terry McAulay, Ferguson appeared to swim through the coverage, but there was no noticeable grab or push that would have warranted the flag.
Nevertheless, after a brief discussion, Shawn Hochuli opted to back the flag, leading to the incompletion and a fourth down for Dallas.
Detroit Lions 33
No. 33 on the Lions is currently worn by running back Sione Vaki. Vaki was a fourth-round selection of Detroit in 2024.
Lions-Cowboys score update: Jahmyr Gibbs puts Lions up 10
A big-time throw to Jameson Williams, a roughing the passer penalty were big helps on the Lions scoring drive, which ended in a Gibbs rushing touchdown. The score puts the Lions back up 10 points midway through the fourth. Lions 37, Cowboys 27
Malik Cunningham, Lions WR: What to know
The Lions elevated Cunningham to the active roster ahead of “Thursday Night Football” as insurance in case Amon-Ra St. Brown couldn’t play. A former quarterback-turned-receiver, Cunningham was undrafted in 2023 and spent time with the Patriots and Ravens before landing with the Lions in 2025.
Lions-Cowboys score update: Ryan Flournoy finds end zone
A busted coverage in the Lions defense leads wide receiver Ryan Flournoy to the end zone. A successful 2-point conversion means the Cowboys are now down by just three points with plenty of time left in the third quarter. Lions 30, Cowboys 27
Lions-Cowboys score update: Bates FG extends the lead
Stop us if you’re heard this before – Jake Bates quickly erased a field goal from Aubrey. Well, it happened again. The Lions matched the Cowboys field goal with one of their own and push their lead to 11 with just under 12 minutes to go. Lions 30, Cowboys 19
End of third quarter: Detroit in control with 15 minutes to go
There is just one quarter to go at Ford Field and the Lions have to like the spot they’re in. Already up eight and driving for more, they also have the added benefit of playing a Cowboys offense that is also without CeeDee Lamb now.
Lions-Cowboys score update: Aubrey FG good from 63
At this point, you’d be surprised if Aubrey missed. It’s not even a challenge. The Cowboys’ kicker made it look easy from 63, cutting the Detroit lead to eight. The Lions might have to roll out those large industrial fans to make it interesting going forward. Lions 27, Cowboys 19
Lions-Cowboys score update: Javonte Williams hits 1K in style
The Cowboys running back is having himself quite the season, and he hit 1,000-yard mark for the season with a touchdown run to keep the Cowboys in the game. Lions 27, Cowboys 16
CeeDee Lamb injury update: Cowboys WR ruled out
Lamb went to the locker room after being helped off the field with under 13 minutes remaining in the third quarter, and has been ruled out of the game after a concussion evaluation.
He appeared to be favoring his left arm after falling in the end zone. Lamb remained down for a few moments, but did walk off the field with trainers holding his arm.
Lions-Cowboys score update: TeSlaa lengthens lead after Dak INT
It might be Ford Field, but a TeSlaa put the Lions firmly in the driver’s seat. Just plays after Dak Prescott threw an interception to start the second half, Isaac TeSlaa grabbed a Jared Goff pass for a touchdown, putting the Lions up 27-9 less than a minute into the third quarter. Lions 27, Cowboys 9
Sonic and Knuckles on the Lions
It’s a video-game nickname for a video-game backfield pairing. Named after the famed supersonic hedgehog and his echidna partner, Jahmyr Gibbs (Sonic) and David Montgomery (Knuckles) own the moniker for their combination of speed and power out of the backfield.
Lions-Cowboys score update: Bates pushes lead to 11 at the break
Halftime has arrived in Detroit, but not before Bates gets a field goal of his own. The Lions offense quickly negated the Aubrey field goal, responding with a 47-yard kick from Bates as time expired. Detroit benefitted from a pass interference call, but there wasn’t resistance from the Dallas defense either.
The Cowboys get the ball to start the second half, trailing by 11. Lions 20, Cowboys 9
Lions-Cowboys score update: Another Aubrey FG for Dallas
With less than a minute to go before halftime, Dallas cuts into the Detroit lead with another Aubrey field goal. His kick is good from 55 and the Lions’ lead is down to eight. Lions 17, Cowboys 9
Dallas Cowboys James Houston
Houston was selected by the Lions in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and played three seasons in the Motor City. He signed with the Cowboys ahead of the 2025 season and has recorded 4.5 sacks coming into Week 14.
He collected an early one against his former team on “Thursday Night Football,” reintroducing himself to the Ford Field crowd in style.
Detroit Lions 3 signs
Hoping to create a rowdy environment for the visiting offense on third downs, Lions fans hold up the ‘3’ signs as a reminder to everyone to bring the noise in “3rd Down Town.”
Lions-Cowboys score update: David Montgomery breaks long run for score
The new-look Cowboys defense is having a tough time with the Lions offense tonight. The ‘Knuckles’ half of the ‘Sonic & Knuckles’ duo breaks a 35-yard run for a touchdown to put the home team up two scores ahead of the half. Lions 17, Cowboys 6
Jake Ferguson fumbles, Lions recover
Things have a way of working out sometimes. The Lions didn’t get the offside penalty, but they did recover the Ferguson fumble at around the spot their last possession ended. Goff and co. go back to work, looking to extend the lead.
Referees miss offside penalty on Cowboys
Faced with a third-and-short, the Lions thought they were getting a free play. Unfortunately for the home team, there was no laundry on the field and Jared Goff’s pass for Jameson Williams fell incomplete.
There was an uproar from the crowd and rightfully so. Dallas caught a break.
Lions-Cowboys score update: Aubrey adds three
Aubrey’s kick was drifting to the right, but the 42-yard try is good for the Dallas kicker. He inches the visitors a little closer, cutting the deficit to four. Everything feels difficult for the Cowboys’ offense in this one, but it hasn’t become an issue yet. Lions 10, Cowboys 6
Who is Lions Number 12?
Lions safety, Thomas Harper.
He has been ruled out of the Thursday night contest with a concussion. Harper was said to be hanging onto the railing to stabilize himself heading to the locker room, according to Prime Video’s Kaylee Hartung.
Harper is in his second season and his first with the Lions after spending 2024 with the Las Vegas Raiders.
End of first quarter: Lions lead after 15 minutes
The first quarter has come to a close with the Lions leading by a touchdown. It has been a close contest, but Detroit has the edge in play. Dallas is looking for the game-tying score as we head to the second.
Detroit Lions coaching staff
The Lions’ coaching staff is headlined by head coach Dan Campbell, but they have a pair of new coordinators in 2025 – offensive coordinator, John Morton and defensive coordinator, Kelvin Sheppard.
Campbell took over calling plays on offense in Week 10, hoping to reignite a group that was dominant under Ben Johnson.
Lions-Cowboys score update: Jahmyr Gibbs TD puts Detroit back on top
It’s the Gibbs show thus far. The Lions didn’t get the safety, but Amon-Ra St. Brown got involved with a 27-yard catch, setting up the home team for the touchdown. Gibbs capped off the drive, giving Detroit a touchdown advantage with two minutes left in the opening quarter. Lions 10, Cowboys 3
Lions’ safety overturned by replay
It looked like the Lions were about to retake the lead on a safety, but replay ruled that the entire ball was out of the end zone when Dak Prescott was contacted – taking two points off the board for Detroit. Instead the Cowboys punt it away and the Lions take over at the Dallas 42.
Lions-Cowboys score update: Brandon Aubrey ties the game
Aubrey is the kicker equivalent of an automatic transmission. Put the car in drive and don’t worry about anything else. For Aubrey, the Cowboys just have to step on the field and they are almost always guaranteed for at least three points. The kicker is good from 57 and made it look easy. Tie game in the Motor City. Lions 3, Cowboys 3
Lions-Cowboys score update: Jake Bates FG opens the scoring
On a night that is expected to feature plenty of points, the Lions strike first with a 38-yard field goal from Bates on their opening drive. Detroit quickly worked it into field goal range thanks to Jahmyr Gibbs, who had 43 scrimmage yards on the series. Dallas’ defense held in the red zone though, sacking Jared Goff on third down. Now Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense get their chance to respond. Lions 3, Cowboys 0
How fast is Jahmyr Gibbs?
Gibbs ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in 2023.
That put him in a tie for seventh-best at the event, but ranked second amongst running backs, sliding in behind De’Von Achane, who ran a 4.32. Former Titans’ running back Chris Johnson still holds the best 40-yard time for a running back, turning in a lightning quick 4.24 in 2008.
What time is the Cowboys game on TV?
The Lions vs. Cowboys game will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Dec. 4. Detroit will host the game at Ford Field as both teams look to improve their position in the NFC playoff picture.
Amon-Ra St. Brown injury update: Is Lions WR playing tonight?
Amon-Ra St. Brown will play tonight, as he is not on the inactive list for the matchup. He reportedly went through pre-game warmups without a hitch, signaling positive availability for the night.
How to watch Cowboys at Lions
Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
Detroit market: WJBK (Fox 2) | Dallas market: KDFW (Fox 4)
The NFL’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ game will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video for national viewers. For those in the Cowboys TV market, KDFW (Fox 4) will air the game. In Detroit, viewers can tune to WJBK (Fox 2).
Lions playoff picture
The Lions enter Week 14 with an estimated 40% chance to make the playoffs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. With a win on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ those odds would improve to 53% and a loss would drop those chances down to just 18% with four games to go.
Cowboys playoff picture
The Cowboys enter Week 14 with an estimated 19% chance to make the playoffs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. With a win on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ those odds would improve to 36% and a loss would drop those chances down to just 8% with four games to go.
Cowboys inactives vs. Lions
Dallas will again be without starting tackle Tyler Guyton.
Jalen Tolbert, WR
Jaydon Blue, RB
Jadeveon Clowney, DE
Tyler Guyton, T
Jay Toia, DT
Perrion Winfrey, DT
Lions inactives vs. Cowboys
Amon-Ra St. Brown will play tonight, but the Lions will again be without wide out Kalif Raymond. Here’s the list:
Kayode Awosika, OL
Kerby Joseph, S
Tyler Lacy, DL
Kalif Raymond, WR
Hayden Rucci, TE
Mekhi Wingo, DL
Lions vs. Cowboys TNF live stream
Stream:Amazon Prime Video | Fubo (local market)
Amazon Prime Video will air the Cowboys-Lions ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup. Those in local TV markets can watch the matchup on Fubo.
Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with a Prime Video subscription
Lions vs. Cowboys picks
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the Cowboys-Lions game will shake out:
Jon Hoefling: Detroit Lions (-3)
Jordan Mendoza: Dallas Cowboys (+3)
Lorenzo Reyes: Detroit Lions (-3)
Richard Morin: Dallas Cowboys (+3)
Tyler Dragon: Detroit Lions (-3)
Blake Schuster: Detroit Lions (-3)
Lions vs. Cowboys prediction
It feels like the last stand for the Lions and Cowboys in the Motor City tonight. Neither side can be eliminated in Week 14, but the math becomes increasingly difficult for them to make the playoffs with a loss. The Cowboys are riding a three-game winning streak and playing well in all three phases. The Lions are on a two-game slide, but needed a pair of late-game comebacks over the Giants and Vikings to avoid making it five.
Injuries continue to play a big role in Detroit’s season. They will likely be without Amon-Ra St. Brown on offense and the defense isn’t looking much healthier. If the new-look Dallas defense can get to Jared Goff early, it’ll make for a long night for the hosts. The Cowboys proved they were for real last week. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are too much for the Lions. Dallas keeps its playoff hopes alive with a 34-28 win in Detroit.
Lions vs. Cowboys odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list.
Moneyline (ML): Detroit -160 (Bet $160 to win $100) | Dallas +135 (Bet $100 to win $135)
Against the spread (ATS): Detroit -3 (-105) | Dallas +3 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 54.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)