Studs and Duds: Aidan Hutchinson Shines, Secondary Struggles
AT&T Stadium once again proved to be a house of horrors for the Detroit Lions.
After Jared Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for an 11-yard touchdown to bring the Lions within a single point with 23 seconds remaining, the Lions appeared to win the game on a two-point conversion from Goff to Taylor Decker.
However, a penalty was called for illegal touching after Decker was ruled to have failed to report as an eligible receiver. An offsides penalty gifted Detroit its original field position on an ensuing conversion attempt, but Goff threw incomplete.
As a result, the Lions dropped Saturday's game by a final of 20-19.
Here are studs and duds from Detroit's loss to Dallas.
STUD: DE Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson had a career-best night in front of a national audience. He recored three sacks, five quarterback hits and four tackles for loss.
Saturday marked the first time since Week 14 that he recorded a sack, and it is his second multi-sack game of the season. His season total rose from 6.5 to 9.5, which ties his total from last season.
Despite leading the team in pressures throughout the season, the Michigan product has had difficulties getting home and finishing sacks. However, his luck changed against Dallas as he was able to dominate.
DUD: LB Derrick Barnes
Barnes committed a critical mistake that led directly to Dallas' first touchdown. With the Cowboys backed up near their end zone, the linebacker came free on a well-designed blitz.
He simply glanced off Dak Prescott, allowing the passer to escape the pocket and launch a pass downfield. After cornerback Kindle Vildor fell to the turf, Lamb raced the remaining 50 yards for a 92-yard score to put the Cowboys in front, 7-3.
STUD: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown delivered strongly late in the game, including an 11-yard score with under 20 seconds remaining to put Detroit in position to win the game.
The standout wide receiver produced 90 yards on six catches, taking his season total over 1,300 yards on the season. Tight end Sam LaPorta was also key on the final drive, and set the Lions record for receiving yards by a tight end in Saturday's game.
David Montgomery also played a key role in the Lions taking the lead in the second half. Trailing 7-3 in the third quarter, the running back carried the ball seven times for 44 yards on a drive that ended with his three-yard score.
His tough running played a key role in that drive, and he finished with a game-high 65 rushing yards.
DUD: QB Jared Goff
Goff struggled to get in a rhythm in Saturday's defensive slugfest. He finished with 271 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 19-of-34 passing.
His first interception came in the first half when Jourdan Lewis jumped in front of a throwback screen pass. The second came at a key juncture in the fourth quarter when he under threw an out route and was picked off by Donovan Wilson.
To Goff's credit, he responded in a big way on the final drive. The veteran delivered his best performance by leading the team 75 yards down the field, hitting Sam LaPorta three times and Amon-Ra St. Brown twice, one of which being a touchdown.
On the deciding two-point conversion, he under threw James Mitchell and the Lions fell.
STUD: S Ifeatu Melifonwu
Melifonwu once again delivered a takeaway for the Lions' defense. For the second straight week, he recorded an interception. This time, he picked off Dak Prescott on Dallas' first possession.
It's the third straight week that the safety has forced a takeaway. Since taking over as a starting safety in Week 14, Melifonwu has been a difference-making member of the Lions' defense.
DUD: CB Cameron Sutton
Sutton struggled to stay in front of CeeDee Lamb in what was a key opportunity for the veteran corner. Viewed as Detroit's top option at cornerback, he was beaten by his matchup several times for big gains.
Lamb finished with 13 catches and 227 yards, along with a score. Sutton and Vildor each struggled in their matchup with the talented wideout.
Vildor produced a key forced fumble on Lamb at the goal line, resulting in a touchback after the ball rolled out of the end zone.
