Takeaways From Lions' 44-30 Victory Against Cowboys

Rookie offensive lineman makes NFL debut

The Lions were without left guard Kayode Awosika on Thursday, and had to turn to Trystan Colon to start the game. However, Colon struggled early as the Cowboys' pass-rush got early heat on Goff within the game's first two series.

Per the broadcast, Colon allowed four pressures on seven dropbacks. As a result, Campbell and company turned to fifth-round pick Miles Frazier to handle the position beginning with the third series of the game.

Frazier would get limited run, as Colon re-entered the game later in the first half. Colon was in the game blocking for Montgomery on his 35-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

The rookie had a solid start to his career, including a nice block on Gibbs' rushing touchdown in the first quarter, but did incur a couple of false start penalties.

Thursday's appearance marked his first taste of action after spending most of the season rehabbing an injury.

Jack Campbell leads defense

Detroit's defense was desperately seeking to force more turnovers at this stage of the season.

Campbell was able to force the football free from tight end Jake Ferguson that was eventually recoverd by safety Brian Branch.

Detroit's offense capitalized, marching down the field and extending their lead to 17-6.

David Montgomery scampered 35 yards to find the end zone. The dynamic running back duo each produced a scrimmage touchdown in the same game for the 15th time, the most times this has occurred in the Super Bowl era.

To start the second half, linebacker Derrick Barnes picked off a pass intended for George Pickens and returned it 23 yards to the Dallas 14-yard line.

Two plays later, Goff found TeSlaa in the end zone to extend Detroit's lead to 27-9. It was the fourth touchdown of the young wideouts rookie campaign.

Campbell's squad had gone seven games without scoring points off a takeaway. On Thursday evening, Detroit converted two takeaways into 14 points through the first three quarters of action.

Officials embarrass themselves in second quarter

In the second-quarter, Lions' supporters grew irate at the poor officiating of Shawn Hochuli's crew.

Officials have been under heavy scrutiny this season. Hochuli's crew was known to have thrown more flags against home teams in 2025 than against road teams. This season, the crew had thrown 96 flags on home teams and 86 on road teams.

What drew the ire of fans at Ford Field was a play midway through the second-quarter that appeared to feature multiple Cowboys' defenders offsides and Williams being interfered with on Goff's pass.

Fans voiced their frustrations all throughout the first half with the lack of calls from Hochuli's crew.

Offense responds after Cowboys gained fourth quarter momentum

Dallas was able to trim Detroit's lead to 30-27 early in the fourth quarter. Prescott found wideout Ryan Flournoy on a deep 42-yard touchdown.

Unfortunately, Amik Robertson and Brian Branch were not on the same page, as the talented wideout found himself wide open on the busted coverage. Dallas was able to convert on the two-point conversion try, trimming Detroit's lead to three.

Branch was unfortunately carted off the field with an ankle injury prior to the game concluding.

Detroit's offense rebounded and responded quickly, marching down the field to extend their lead to 10 midway through the fourth quarter.

Goff connected with Williams on a 29-yard reception on 3rd-and-6 from the Cowboys 45-yard line. A Houston roughing the passer penalty tacked on another 15-yards.

Gibbs capped off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown scamper.

Later in the quarter, Gibbs extended Detroit's lead to 44-30 with just a little over two mins remaining. Dallas was able to cut the lead to 37-30, but were simply unable to get a key defensive stop or limit St. Brown, Wiliams and Gibbs when needed.