The Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats explain how Detroit earned a 44–30 victory despite Dallas gaining more total yards. Jahmyr Gibbs scored three rushing touchdowns, Jared Goff protected the ball, and the Lions’ defense delivered five sacks and three takeaways.
This article covers the December 4, 2025, Week 14 game at Ford Field. Readers will find the final score, quarterback comparison, leading receivers, rushing statistics and key moments that decided the contest.
Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys Match Overview
Both teams entered this Thursday night matchup chasing a stronger position in the NFC playoff race. Detroit started the evening at 7–5, while Dallas held a 6–5–1 record.
The Lions established an early lead and answered each major Dallas comeback attempt. Their victory improved their record to 8–5, while the Cowboys dropped to 6–6–1.
| Match detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Competition | NFL regular season |
| Season | 2025 |
| Week | 14 |
| Date | December 4, 2025 |
| Venue | Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan |
| Winning team | Detroit Lions |
| Final score | Lions 44, Cowboys 30 |
| Detroit’s record afterward | 8–5 |
| Dallas’s record afterward | 6–6–1 |
Score by Quarter
Detroit scored in every quarter and produced its biggest scoring period in the fourth. Dallas also finished strongly, but its defense could not stop the Lions’ late touchdown drives.
| Team | First quarter | Second quarter | Third quarter | Fourth quarter | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 3 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 30 |
| Detroit Lions | 10 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 44 |
Jared Goff vs Dak Prescott Player Stats
Dak Prescott finished with more passing yards, but Jared Goff delivered the more efficient performance. Goff avoided interceptions and took only one sack, helping Detroit maintain control of its possessions.
| Quarterback | Completions/Attempts | Passing yards | Passing TDs | Interceptions | Times sacked | Passer rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Goff | 25/34 | 309 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 111.0 |
| Dak Prescott | 31/47 | 376 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 79.7 |
Jared Goff’s Efficient Performance
Goff completed 73.5% of his passes and distributed the ball across several productive targets. Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Gibbs each contributed meaningful receiving yardage.
His only touchdown pass went to Isaac TeSlaa from 12 yards out. More importantly, Goff did not give Dallas an interception that could create a short scoring opportunity.
Dak Prescott’s Bigger Yardage Total
Prescott completed approximately 66% of his attempts and threw for 376 yards. However, two interceptions and five sacks limited the benefit of that production.
His performance shows why passing yards alone cannot explain a result. Dallas moved the ball, but Detroit repeatedly interrupted drives and forced the Cowboys to recover lost ground.
Rushing Stats: Gibbs and Montgomery Make the Difference
Detroit’s running backs provided four rushing touchdowns between them. Gibbs handled the finishing work, while David Montgomery added an explosive scoring run.
| Player | Team | Carries | Rushing yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jahmyr Gibbs | Lions | 12 | 43 | 3 |
| David Montgomery | Lions | 6 | 60 | 1 |
| Javonte Williams | Cowboys | 17 | 67 | 1 |
| Dak Prescott | Cowboys | 3 | 14 | 0 |
Gibbs’ 43 rushing yards do not fully describe his impact. He also caught seven passes for 77 yards, giving him 120 yards from scrimmage.
Montgomery averaged 10 yards per carry and scored on a 35-yard run. Together, the two backs gave Detroit both explosive yardage and reliable touchdown production.
For Dallas, Javonte Williams led the rushing attack with 67 yards. He scored the Cowboys’ only rushing touchdown on a one-yard run in the third quarter.
Receiving Stats: Lamb and Flournoy Lead Dallas
CeeDee Lamb finished with the most receiving yards in the game. Ryan Flournoy also passed 100 yards and caught the touchdown that brought Dallas close in the fourth quarter.
| Player | Team | Receptions | Receiving yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CeeDee Lamb | Cowboys | 6 | 121 | 0 |
| Ryan Flournoy | Cowboys | 9 | 115 | 1 |
| Jameson Williams | Lions | 7 | 96 | 0 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | Lions | 6 | 92 | 0 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | Lions | 7 | 77 | 0 |
| Jake Ferguson | Cowboys | 5 | 58 | 0 |
Lamb gained 121 yards before leaving the game in the third quarter with a concussion. This describes his status during that contest, rather than making a claim about his current health.
Flournoy supplied nine catches and a 42-yard touchdown reception. Meanwhile, Jameson Williams and St. Brown combined for 188 receiving yards, giving Detroit a balanced passing attack.
Key Moments That Changed the Game
Detroit moved ahead 10–3 in the first quarter after Gibbs scored from one yard out. Montgomery’s second-quarter touchdown helped the Lions take a 20–9 lead into halftime.
The second half opened with another major setback for Dallas. Amik Robertson deflected a Prescott pass, and Derrick Barnes intercepted it, giving Detroit possession deep in Cowboys territory.
Goff then found TeSlaa for a touchdown that increased the lead to 27–9. Dallas responded through Javonte Williams and Brandon Aubrey’s kicking to keep the game competitive.
The Cowboys’ strongest comeback moment came when Prescott connected with Flournoy for a 42-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion reduced Detroit’s advantage to 30–27.
However, Gibbs answered with a 10-yard touchdown run. After Dallas added another field goal, his 13-yard scoring run extended the lead to 44–30 and completed Detroit’s scoring.
Defense, Kicking and Team Statistics
Detroit’s defense created three takeaways without its offense committing a turnover. Jack Campbell forced a fumble that Brian Branch recovered, while Barnes and D.J. Reed recorded interceptions.
Al-Quadin Muhammad led the pass rush with three sacks. Campbell and Alim McNeill added one each, and Campbell also finished with 12 tackles.
Brandon Aubrey’s Long-Range Kicking
Aubrey made all five field-goal attempts from 57, 42, 55, 63 and 29 yards. His longest successful kick helped Dallas reduce the deficit during the third quarter.
His accuracy kept the Cowboys competitive, but repeated field goals could not match Detroit’s touchdown production. Dallas needed more seven-point possessions to complete its comeback.
Team Stats Comparison
| Statistic | Dallas Cowboys | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Total net yards | 417 | 408 |
| Rushing yards | 91 | 109 |
| Net passing yards | 326 | 299 |
| Possession time | 31:23 | 28:37 |
| Penalties | 7 | 8 |
| Penalty yards | 76 | 50 |
| Turnovers committed | 3 | 0 |
Dallas led in total yardage and possession time. Nevertheless, Detroit’s advantage in takeaways and rushing touchdowns proved more valuable.
Net passing yards differ from individual quarterback passing yards because they subtract yards lost on sacks. That explains why Prescott’s 376 passing yards became 326 team net passing yards.
Verified Match Facts and Common Confusion
| Claim | Verified finding |
|---|---|
| Dallas won the game | Incorrect; Detroit won 44–30 |
| Gibbs scored three rushing touchdowns | Confirmed |
| Goff threw three touchdown passes | Incorrect; he threw one |
| Prescott threw two interceptions | Confirmed |
| Dallas gained more total yards | Confirmed |
| These statistics belong to the 2024 meeting | Incorrect; they cover December 4, 2025 |
Five interesting facts stand out:
- Detroit scored 17 points in the fourth quarter.
- Dallas had two receivers finish above 100 receiving yards.
- Gibbs gained more receiving yards than rushing yards.
- Muhammad recorded three of Detroit’s five sacks.
- Aubrey made three field goals from at least 55 yards.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats show why Detroit won despite Dallas’s narrow yardage advantage. The Lions protected the ball, created takeaways and finished important drives with touchdowns.
Gibbs supplied three rushing scores, Goff delivered efficient passing, and the defense disrupted Prescott throughout the evening. These statistics belong specifically to the December 4, 2025 matchup and should remain separate from other meetings between the teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys match?
Detroit won 44–30 on December 4, 2025. The Lions established an early lead and held off a Dallas comeback in the second half. Although the Cowboys gained more total yards, Detroit’s touchdown production and three takeaways made the difference. Gibbs’ two fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns helped secure the result.
2. Where did the Lions vs Cowboys game take place?
The game took place at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. It was a Week 14 Thursday night matchup during the 2025 NFL regular season. The date and venue help identify the correct box score because these teams have met in several different seasons with different results and individual performances.
3. What were Jared Goff’s passing statistics?
Goff completed 25 of 34 attempts for 309 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He finished with a 111.0 passer rating and took one sack. His accurate passing and ball security supported Detroit’s scoring drives. He also spread the ball across several receivers instead of depending on one target.
4. What were Dak Prescott’s passing statistics?
Prescott completed 31 of 47 passes for 376 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Detroit sacked him five times, and his passer rating finished at 79.7. He produced more passing yards than Goff, but the Lions’ pressure and takeaways reduced the value of that yardage in the final result.
5. How many touchdowns did Jahmyr Gibbs score?
Gibbs scored three rushing touchdowns on runs of one, 10 and 13 yards. His final two scores came in the fourth quarter as Detroit answered Dallas’s comeback attempts. He also caught seven passes for 77 yards, but none of his touchdowns in this game came through the passing attack.
6. Who had the most receiving yards?
CeeDee Lamb led all players with 121 receiving yards on six catches. Ryan Flournoy followed with 115 yards on nine receptions and scored Dallas’s only passing touchdown. For Detroit, Jameson Williams led with 96 yards. Receiving yards and catch totals measure different parts of a player’s production.
7. How did David Montgomery perform?
Montgomery carried the ball six times for 60 yards and one touchdown. His scoring run covered 35 yards during the second quarter. He averaged 10 yards per carry, providing an explosive contribution alongside Gibbs. Together, the two running backs accounted for all four of Detroit’s rushing touchdowns.
8. How many field goals did Brandon Aubrey make?
Aubrey made five field goals without a miss. His successful attempts measured 57, 42, 55, 63 and 29 yards. The 63-yard kick was his longest of the game. His kicking kept Dallas within reach, although the Cowboys needed more touchdown drives to overcome Detroit’s scoring pace.
9. Why did Dallas lose despite gaining more yards?
Dallas gained 417 total net yards compared with Detroit’s 408, but committed three turnovers. The Lions committed none and scored four rushing touchdowns. Dallas also settled for five field goals. Those differences explain why the Cowboys’ small advantage in yardage and possession time did not lead to victory.
10. Are these statistics from the October 2024 game?
No. This article covers the December 4, 2025 game at Ford Field. The October 2024 matchup was a separate contest with different statistics. Readers should check the season and exact date before comparing scores or player performances, since search results may display reports from several Lions–Cowboys meetings.
Research Transparency Note: This article uses publicly available NFL statistics and official team reporting checked on October 12, 2026. Published records can receive corrections. Unsupported claims and private information have not been presented as confirmed facts.
More tpic on Errormagazine