Jahmyr Gibbs rushes for 3 TDs and
Lions get much-needed 44-30 win over Cowboys
[December 05, 2025]
By LARRY LAGE
DETROIT (AP) — Jahmyr Gibbs and a defense that suddenly generated
pressure and turnovers helped the Detroit Lions stay in contention
for a playoff berth.
Gibbs ran for three touchdowns, including a 13-yarder with 2:19 left
that sealed the Lions' much-needed 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys
on Thursday night.
The Lions sacked Dak Prescott five times — a week after they had no
sacks and lost to Green Bay — and had two interceptions and
recovered a fumble.
“You could see an uptick in urgency from everybody,” Jared Goff
said.
The Lions (8-5) avoided losing consecutive games for the first time
in more than three years. They remain outside the playoff picture
with four games left, but they improved their odds considerably.
“They don’t get panicked,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said. “We
played our best game that we played all year.”
Detroit’s playoff probability is now 54% and Dallas’ fell to 7%,
according to the NFL.
The Cowboys (6-6-1) had surged into postseason contention with a
three-game winning streak. But against the Lions, the NFL’s
top-ranked offense had to lean on powerful kicker Brandon Aubrey too
much and Dallas' revitalized defense was humbled.
“It seemed like every time we got some momentum, they hit another
explosive play,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “They have
a lot of speed, and they can make big plays.”
Goff went 25 of 34 for 309 yards with a 12-yard touchdown pass to
rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa that put Detroit ahead 27-9.
Dallas pulled within three points twice in the fourth quarter,
including with 3:42 left when Aubrey matched a career high with his
fifth field goal.
Tom Kennedy returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield and Goff threw
a 37-yard pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown to set up Gibbs' third score.
Gibbs had seven catches for 77 yards and 43 yards rushing on 12
carries.
“He’s unique,” Campbell said. “He’s special.”
Williams had seven catches for the second straight game and finished
with 96 yards. St. Brown, who had been listed as questionable with
an ankle injury, left no doubt of his value with six catches for 92
yards and a lot of key blocks for teammates.
“He was going and nobody was going to talk him out of it,” Campbell
said.
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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) runs the ball as Dallas
Cowboys linebacker Jr. Kenneth Murray (59) tries to stop him during
the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in
Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit's Al-Quadin Muhammad had a career-high
three sacks and Jack Campbell had a sack and forced a fumble for a
team that hadn't been generating much pressure on quarterbacks.
Prescott wished that trend continued.
He was sacked five times and pressured many more times as he was 31
of 47 for 376 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He lost
his top target in the third quarter when CeeDee Lamb suffered a
concussion after he had six catches for 121 yards.
George Pickens didn't pick up the slack, catching just five of the
nine passes thrown his way for 37 yards.
Dallas settled for too many field goals from its extraordinary
kicker.
The 30-year-old Aubrey converted from 63, 57, 55, 42 and 29 yards,
becoming the first in NFL history to make three field goals or 55
yards or more in a game, according to Sportradar.
“These guys aren’t deflated right now, they are (ticked) off,”
Prescott said. “We just need to use that the right way — as fuel for
the rest of the season.”
Injuries
Cowboys: Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, CB Trevon Diggs and LT Tyler
Guyton were inactive.
Lions: S Brian Branch suffered an ankle injury late in the game. S
Thomas Harper, filling in for injured All-Pro Kerby, left the game
in the first quarter with a concussion. TE Brock Wright was put on
injured reserve earlier in the day and WR/PR Kalif Raymond and S
Kerby Joseph were inactive.
Up next
Cowboys: Host Minnesota in prime time on Dec. 14.
Lions: Visit Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 14.
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