Takeaways from Lions' 20-19 Loss to Cowboys

Lions fall to 11-5 after being defeated by Cowboys.

Playing against the Dallas Cowboys on the road oftentimes presents extreme challenges for NFL teams. 

This season, Dallas has been among the most dominant teams playing at AT&T Stadium.

The Detroit Lions entered the game riding high, coming off a week in which they were celebrated for winning their first division title in 30 years. 

Seeking to end the Cowboys' undefeated streak at home, the Lions understood the challenges that awaited them in a primetime game showcased in front of the entire country. 

With a renewed focus, as the playoffs are just around the corner, Detroit battled a 10-win Cowboys team, in search of its 12th victory of the season.  

The Lions had an opportunity late to win the game, but a chaotic series of events on their two-point try resulted in a one-point defeat. 

After 60 minutes of play, Detroit was defeated, 20-19, at AT&T Stadium. 

Here are several takeaways from the Lions' fifth defeat of the season. 

Lions moved the football early, rushing the football 

Detroit marched down the field on its opening offensive drive, mainly rushing the football. 

Ben Johnson utilized running back David Montgomery early to move the football. 

The 26-year-old recorded four carries for 18 yards, including an 11-yard scamper on third-and-2.

Detroit's first drive was capped off by a 41-yard field goal by Michael Badgley, who was signed to the active roster this week.

To start the second half, Montgomery was able to break a run for 22 yards, which contributed to Detroit's first offensive touchdown. 

The veteran running back capped off a 13-play, 74-yard drive with a 2-yard scamper. Detroit's first drive of the third quarter spanned 7:26. 

Defense forces turnover early after giving up explosive play

Throughout the 2023 season, Aaron Glenn's defense has worked on limiting opponents from recording explosive plays. 

Last week, Detroit's defense gave up a significant amount of explosive chunk plays to backup quarterback Nick Mullens, who struggled with turning the football over. 

On the Cowboys' first offensive drive, Cam Sutton, who was cleared to play after injuring his toe this week, missed a tackle that resulted in wideout CeeDee Lamb gaining 31 yards into the Lions' side of the field. 

Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, who has burst onto the scene this month, abruptly ended the drive with his second interception of the season. Detroit's talented safety also recorded a takeaway last week against Minnesota. 

Lamb was able again to burn Detroit's defense in the first quarter, bursting open on a 92-yard touchdown on Dallas' first score of the game. 

The talented wideout was simply unstoppable, recording the fifth 200-yard receiving game by an NFL wide receiver this season. Also, he set franchise records for catches and receiving yards in a single season. 

Mr. Ifeatu Melifonwu pic.twitter.com/J5UQlwN1Sw

— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) December 31, 2023

Derrick Barnes' missed tackle results in touchdown

Detroit's blitz packages have been quite successful the past two games. 

Glenn has found a nice rhythm and timing to bring pressure from multiple positions, which have aided the defense. 

Unfortunately, linebacker Derrick Barnes burst free with an opportunity to sack Prescott for a significant loss, but uncharacteristically whiffed on a wide-open shot to bring down the talented quarterback in the end zone.

The missed opportunity resulted in a deep touchdown that gave Dallas momentum. 

Fake punt does not result in points

After Lamb turned the football over in the end zone, Dallas' defense was able to weather the storm, forcing the Lions' offense into a punt attempt midway through the second quarter. 

Dan Campbell, who is among the most aggressive coaches in the NFL, dialed up a fake punt on Detroit's side of the field, trailing 7-3.  

Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who excels in his role on special teams and on third down as a linebacker, found an open Khalil Dorsey for a gain of 31 yards. 

Detroit's offense was able to move into the red zone, but Micah Parsons pressured Jared Goff and forced an incompletion on fourth down. 

Campbell made the choice to go for it on fourth down and remain aggressive, but may rue the decision not to cut into Dallas' lead in such a close game. 

Lions' offensive line struggles blocking 

For Detroit to have success, the offensive line needs to protect Goff and make quick adjustments against elite pass rushers. 

In the first half, Detroit's offensive line struggled as a whole. The Cowboys logged one sack and four quarterback hits in that span, along with a total of five tackles for loss. 

Taylor Decker was beaten badly by Parsons on the fourth-down incompletion, and tight ends Sam LaPorta and James Mitchell struggled to set edges in the run game. 

Detroit ended the first half trailing, 7-3, despite a couple of mistakes defensively and not finding the end zone through the first 30 minutes. 

Goff struggled again with turnovers, as he tossed two interceptions against Dan Quinn's defense. A late interception ended a potential game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. 

With an opportunity to tie the game with under 2:00 to play, Goff quickly marched down the field to score a touchdown. 

Unfortunately, though, left tackle Taylor Decker did not report as eligible, negating what would have been a successful two-point attempt. 

Aidan Hutchinson records multiple sacks

Despite having success all season pressuring the quarterback, Hutchinson entered the game with only 6.5 sacks. 

Detroit's talented EDGE rusher tends to have his sacks come in bunches. And, in primetime, his full array of pass-rush moves were on display. 

Against Dallas, the former No. 2 overall pick recorded three sacks, bringing his total to 9.5 on the season. It matched his sack total frohis rookie season.