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Lions can’t convert late 2-point gamble, fall to Cowboys in first primetime loss

Lions now 11-5 on the season

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde) (Sam Hodde, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press All Rights Reserved)

The Lions and Cowboys went blow for blow on Saturday night in Dallas, but the Detroit offense couldn’t finish it off in the end, with a controversial call muddying the waters.

The Lions trailed Dallas 7-3 at halftime, but took a 10-3 lead in the third quarter. Dallas would take a 17-13 lead in the fourth.

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The Lions had the ball with about two minutes left, down four points, but Lions QB Jared Goff threw an ugly interception, giving the ball back to Dallas.

The Cowboys would extend the lead with a field goal, 20-13, with a 1:40 left on the clock for a final Detroit drive, with no timeouts left.

Goff would lead the Lions down the field for a game-tying touchdown. Dan Campbell decided to go for two, to take the lead. They ran a play-action throw to Lions tackle Taylor Decker, but refs ruled that he hadn’t declared, and wiped away the try.

Two more chances for the Lions would fail, and the Cowboys would hold on to win. The final score was 20-19.

Detroit is now 11-5 on the season.

The Lions have already clinched the NFC North and will be a top-three seed in the NFC.

Next up: The Lions return home for the final game of the regular season against the Vikings on Sunday in Detroit. And then it’s playoff time.

---> A look at Detroit Lions playoff seeding scenarios heading into Cowboys game


About the Author
Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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