Jahmyr Gibbs’ 3 TDs Lead Lions Past Cowboys

DETROIT — Entering Thursday’s competition with a 7-5 standing, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs characterized the remaining regular-season schedule as comprised of “essential victories.”

The initial hurdle presented a significant challenge against the Dallas Cowboys, a team experiencing a surge in performance. However, the Lions demonstrated their readiness, securing a 44-30 triumph. According to ESPN Analytics, Detroit’s likelihood of participating in the playoffs rose from 43% prior to the game to 56% following the win.

“We must approach these games with a playoff mentality,” Gibbs conveyed to ESPN in anticipation of the contest. Gibbs delivered with three rushing touchdowns and accumulated 77 receiving yards. His tally of five games featuring multiple touchdown runs is the second-highest in Lions history for a single season.

The Lions also benefited from the presence of WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, who participated in the game after a late determination due to an ankle ailment. St. Brown recorded six receptions for 92 yards.

This marked the fifth occasion this season in which the Lions have surpassed 35 points, a league-leading achievement.

Detroit Lions (8-5)

Turning point: At a crucial juncture, Lions WR Jameson Williams executed a third-down conversion with a 29-yard reception at the 8:26 mark of the fourth quarter, following Dallas’s reduction of the deficit to within three points. Williams’s significant catch paved the way for Gibbs to score a 10-yard touchdown run on the same series, extending the Lions’ advantage to 37-27 with 7:17 remaining.

Trend to watch: ESPN Research indicates that Lions All-Pro offensive tackle Penei Sewell has conceded a sack in four consecutive games, marking the longest such streak in his career. In the opening quarter, James Houston, his former teammate, maneuvered past Sewell to sack QB Jared Goff on third down. Sewell hasn’t experienced a series of games with sacks allowed since his rookie year in 2021.

Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston share congratulatory messages after Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery break their record for TDs by a RB duo in the Super Bowl era.#ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/h5ylzn7AL4

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 5, 2025

Stat to know: Gibbs and David Montgomery have now both scored in the same game for the 15th time, exceeding the previous record held by Cowboys’ Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston for the most such instances by a pair of RB teammates in the Super Bowl era. Smith and Johnston shared their congratulations via social media with the Detroit duo upon breaking the record. Gibbs’s career touchdown total stands at 47, matching Hall of Famer Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns scored within a player’s initial three NFL seasons. Furthermore, he has achieved three games this season with three touchdowns each, marking the highest number for a Lions player in a single season since Cloyce Box in 1952. — Eric Woodyard

Next game: at Los Angeles Rams (Dec. 14, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)

The Dallas Cowboys’ hopes for playoff contention diminished following their defeat against the Detroit Lions. ESPN Analytics estimates the Cowboys’ playoff prospects at 8% with four games remaining, following their first loss since their week off.

Holding a 6-6-1 record, the Cowboys are at a disadvantage in head-to-head tiebreakers against the Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Chicago Bears. Dallas’s most viable path to securing a postseason berth may involve clinching the NFC East title, which would require the Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) to encounter setbacks.

Mistakes such as turnovers (one fumble, one interception), critical penalties (including one that negated a pass interference call at the Lions’ 4-yard line), and an excessive number of significant plays conceded by the defense proved detrimental for the Cowboys. To maintain a chance at playoff contention, the Cowboys will likely need to triumph in their remaining four games.

Trend to watch: Despite Javonte Williams surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the season, the running game encountered difficulties. Through three quarters, the Cowboys achieved only one run exceeding 10 yards. Although the Cowboys amassed 125 rushing yards against the Eagles and 137 yards against the Chiefs in their respective victories, 109 of those yards originated from four carries, including a 43-yard touchdown run by Malik Davis against Kansas City. The Cowboys’ rushing attack has lacked consistency and must rediscover its form with four games left to play.

Stat to know: Having struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks in recent contests, recording a mere four sacks across their four preceding games, the Lions managed to sack Dak Prescott three times in the first half. Prescott had 2.65 seconds to release the ball in the first half. During their three-game winning streak, he had at least 2.8 seconds. Two of the three sacks occurred during blitz plays. In the initial 12 games, he had been sacked only six times when facing a blitz.

Turning point: Despite failing to score a touchdown in the first half and trailing 20-9, the Cowboys aimed to establish momentum with the opening drive of the second half. However, disaster struck on the very first play. Prescott’s pass, intended for George Pickens, was deflected and intercepted by Derrick Barnes. Subsequently, Jared Goff connected with Isaac TeSlaa for a 12-yard touchdown, extending the Lions’ lead to 18 points. It was a disastrous 42 seconds for the Cowboys. — Todd Archer

Next game: vs. Minnesota Vikings (Dec. 14, 8:20 p.m., NBC)