DETROIT — Before Thursday’s game, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called Dan Campbell — a former Cowboys tight end — one of his football heroes. He gave Campbell such high praise for the way the Lions head coach persevered through initial head coaching struggles to, in Jones’ words, “evolve” into one of the best coaches in the NFL.
That evolution could probably be summarized in one statistic: the Lions hadn’t lost back-to-back games since 2022. They had won 14 in a row in those opportunities heading into the game against the Cowboys.
That wouldn’t change Thursday.
The Cowboys played in their fourth game in 18 days and looked like it. Their defense couldn’t keep up with the speed of the Lions’ offense in a 44-30 loss. Their offense struggled to move people in the running game. There were plenty of sloppy moments from a team that couldn’t afford it.
Cowboys
With the loss, the Cowboys now have a 9% chance of making the playoffs, according to The Athletic.
Here are five takeaways from the Cowboys’ crucial loss to the Lions:
Be careful what you wish for
A topic of conversation this week was Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens and his success on slant routes. He led the league in catches and yards on slant routes, according to TruMedia.
When Pickens was asked about his success on slants, he said that it was inevitable, regardless of how opposing teams played it.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer echoed that confidence by alerting Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard that they would, in fact, run slant routes.
The Lions looked like they expected it. Pickens was targeted on a slant on the first play of the second half. Lions corner Amik Robertson broke on the route and tipped the ball to Derrick Barnes, who intercepted it and returned it deep into Dallas territory. Rookie Isaac TeSlaa then caught a touchdown later that drive to extend the Lions’ lead.
The Lions did a good job of containing Pickens all night. Pickens’ success, at least for one game, wasn’t inevitable. Pickens finished with five catches for 37 yards. He also had two offensive penalties.
What made things worse: CeeDee Lamb, who had a lot of success against the Lions, left the game in the third quarter with a concussion. He finished with six catches for 121 yards,
Storm watch
If the Cowboys were going to win, they’d have to contain one of the best backfields in the NFL. The tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery can beat you in a flash, like lightning, or with power, like the shake of thunder.
Fittingly, lightning struck before thunder, though both left their mark on the Cowboys’ defense.
Gibbs, the lighting in that backfield, was a focal point in the Detroit offense from the beginning. He finished with 19 touches for 120 yards and three touchdowns.
Montgomery, the thunder of the pair, wasn’t used as often, but was felt with at least one boom: a 35-yard touchdown run where he broke through the middle of the Cowboys’ defense.
A thunder and lightning storm blew through, just as it was forecasted.
Turnovers the key
Schottenheimer, unprompted, brought up the key to whether the Cowboys or Lions would win this week. He said it would come down to turnovers. He then brought up the unfortunate reality for the Cowboys heading into Thursday: that department wasn’t one of their best.
To paraphrase Schottenheimer, a negative-five turnover this season wasn’t good.
It got worse on Thursday.
The interception on the Pickens play was pivotal. So was the fumble that tight end Jake Ferguson had while fighting for extra yards on third and long. It gave the Lions the ball near midfield. Eventually, Montgomery capped it off with a long touchdown run.
The Cowboys couldn’t afford giveaways. Ultimately, it played a part in them giving away a crucial game.
Defensive regression
The Cowboys’ defense resurgence has been on display the last three games. That much was true. But how much better truly had it gone? That was going to be tested against a Lions’ offense that featured plenty of explosiveness.
The result: there’s still room for improvement.
The Lions, for the most part, had a lot of success against the Cowboys’ defense. Detroit was able to use the speed of Gibbs and wide receiver Jameson Williams to put the Dallas defense in some compromised positions. The Lions had multiple injuries on the offensive line, but those limitations didn’t show themselves too much.
The Lions finished with 408 yards and averaged 7.2 yards per play.
A pivotal loss
Thursday’s game was unofficially a playoff game for both the Lions and Cowboys. Consider the Cowboys’ playoff chances depending on Thursday’s result.
According to The Athletic’s playoff simulator, a win would’ve given the Cowboys more than a 40% chance of making the postseason.
A win could’ve vaulted them into a great position. The loss ultimately made their chances slim. They now have a 9% chance of making the playoffs.
The Cowboys aren’t done. They should be favored in the final four games of the season. There’s a world where they win out, get some help, and sneak into the playoffs.
It’s starting to feel like their late-season turnaround is going to be too little too late.
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