Jahmil Gibbs ran for three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions earned a much-needed 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, aiming for a playoff berth.
Gibbs’ hat trick was complemented by new pressure from the Lions’ defense as Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was sacked, threw two interceptions and lost a fumble.
With the win, the Lions (8-5) bounced back from a loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving and avoided back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in more than three years.
With only four regular season games remaining, the NFL is giving them a 54 percent chance, and playoff hopes are high.
Dallas jumped into postseason contention with three straight wins, but their momentum stalled against the Lions.
It turns out that the league’s top offense relies too much on Brandon Aubrey’s exceptional kicking performance.
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Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey’s best field goal. With his historic performance against the Detroit Lions, he became the first player in NFL history to make three field goals of 55 yards or more in a game.
Aubrey hit from 57 yards in the first quarter, 55 yards in the second and 63 yards in the third, becoming the first NFL kicker to make three field goals of 55 yards or more in a game.
He also made kicks from 42 and 29 yards to match his career-best five field goals, but while Aubrey made the shots, his offense fell short.
“You could see the tension building from everyone,” Jared Goff said. Jared Goff completed 25 of 34 yards and a 12-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Isaac Tesla for 309 yards and a 27-9 lead over Detroit.
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey makes three long-range field goals.
Dallas twice got within three points, including Aubrey’s career-high fifth field goal with 3:42 left in the fourth quarter.
Tom Kennedy returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield and Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown on a 37-yard pass to set up Gibbs’ third goal. Gibbs had seven catches for 77 yards on 12 carries and 43 yards rushing.
Jameson Williams had seven catches for a total of 96 yards for the second straight game. St. Brown, who was listed as questionable with an ankle injury, proved his worth with six catches for 92 yards.
Jahmil Gibbs scores a hat trick
Al-Quaddin Muhammad had a career-high three sacks, Jack Campbell added a sack and forced a fumble, and the Lions’ defense did a great job supporting the attack.
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