DETROIT — The Detroit Lions kept their playoff hopes alive Thursday with a home win over the Dallas Cowboys that pushed their postseason odds higher.
Before kickoff, The Athletic projected Detroit’s playoff chances would jump to 45% with a win and fall to 12% with a loss.
Detroit opened the game with a field goal, which Dallas matched. After the teams traded 3-and-outs, the Lions moved quickly on a strong punt return and a 26-yard completion to Amon Ra St. Brown.
A 1-yard touchdown run by Jahmyr Gibbs put Detroit up 10-3 in the final minutes of the first quarter.
Dallas responded with a nearly eight-minute drive, ending with Brandon Aubrey’s second field goal to cut the lead to four. After forcing a punt, the Cowboys fumbled and Brian Branch recovered, setting up a 35-yard touchdown run by David Montgomery. Detroit led 20-9 at halftime.
The Cowboys opened the second half with a turnover on their first play when Derrick Barnes grabbed a tip drill interception. Two plays later, Jared Goff connected with rookie Isaac TeSlaa for a touchdown to make it 27-9.
Dallas added a touchdown to make it 27-16, then blocked a Lions field goal and added another three points. Detroit extended its lead early in the fourth quarter for a 30-19 advantage.
Dallas answered with a four-play, 70-yard drive and a two-point conversion to make it 30-27.
Detroit followed with a 5-play, 59-yard touchdown drive to go back up by 10 with seven minutes remaining and continued to build on that lead.
Jameson Williams and St. Brown each topped 90 receiving yards. Gibbs added 77 receiving yards and three rushing touchdowns, and Goff threw for more than 300 yards.
Detroit improved to 8-5 and prepares to face Matthew Stafford and the Rams on Dec. 14.