Gibbs guides Lions past Cowboys, improves playoff chances

Dec. 5 (UPI) — Jahmyr Gibbs slipped tackles and found the end zone three times to lead the Detroit Lions past the Dallas Cowboys, improving their playoff chances.

Gibbs scored on 1-, 10- and 13-yard runs in the 44-30 triumph Thursday in Detroit. He also piled up 120 yards from scrimmage. The Lions also forced three turnovers and logged five sacks, including three from Al-Quadin Muhammad.

“It’s hard not to take him for granted,” Lions quarterback Jared Goff told reporters, when asked about Gibbs. “He’s so good every week. He does a great job in everything we ask of him.”

With Thursday’s win, the Lions’ playoff probability rose to 54%. A loss would have dropped their chances to about 20%. They also snapped the Cowboys’ three-game winning streak and dropped their playoff probability to 7%.

3-spot for Jah boy!@Jahmyr_Gibbs1 | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/3bst2xYveE— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 5, 2025

“I’m proud of the guys,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “They rallied. They showed up. The work was there all week. It always is, but the intensity, urgency. The guys don’t ever get frazzled. They don’t get panicked. They just go to work.”

The Lions and Cowboys exchanged field goals on the first two drives of the night. Gibbs capped a six-play, 42-yard drive with a 1-yard rushing score with 2:14 remaining in the first quarter to give the Lions a lead they never lost.

Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey made his second of five field goals 5:37 into the second quarter. Lions linebacker Jack Campbell forced a fumble from Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson about three minutes later. That turnover led to a 35-yard touchdown run from running back David Montgomery, increasing the Lions lead to 17-6.

Aubrey split the uprights from 55 yards out to cut the deficit to eight about a minute before halftime. Lions kicker Jake Bates made a 47-yard kick on the next possession for a 20-9 lead at the break.

Linebacker Derrick Barnes intercepted Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott on the first pass of the second half. Goff connected with Isaac TeSlaa for a 12-yard score two plays later to add to the Lions cushion.

Cowboys running back Javonte Williams scored on a 1-yard run on the next drive. The Cowboys cut into the lead again when Aubrey made a 63-yard field goal with 2:49 remaining in the third quarter, making the score 27-19.

Bates drilled a 46-yard kick about three minutes into the fourth quarter. Prescott answered with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Flournoy less than two minutes later. He followed with a successful two-point conversion pass to Ferguson, cutting the deficit to three points with 9:52 remaining.

But Gibbs ended the Lions’ next two drives with touchdown runs to keep his team in front. Lions cornerback D.J. Reed intercepted Prescott’s final pass attempt with about a minute remaining to cement the victory.

Goff completed 25 of 34 passes for 309 yards for the Lions. Wide receivers Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown logged 96 and 92 yards, respectively.

.@Qua_Nito with his third sack of the night!#ProBowlVote#DALvsDET Prime Video pic.twitter.com/VAohzhhW4u— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 5, 2025

Campbell totaled a game-high 12 tackles, a sack and forced fumble. Defensive lineman Alim McNeill also logged a sack and forced fumble in the win.

Prescott completed 31 of 47 passes for 376 yards, a score and two interceptions. Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who was ruled out in the third quarter due to a concussion, totaled six catches for 121 yards.

With his three scores, Gibbs pushed his career total to 47, tying Barry Sanders for the most scored in NFL history through three seasons. Gibbs and Montgomery also set a record by both scoring in the same game for the 15th time, breaking the old mark previously set by Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnson for the most such games of running back teammates in the Super Bowl era.

The Lions (8-5) will take on the Los Angeles Rams (9-3) on Dec. 14 in Inglewood, Calif. The Cowboys (6-6-1) will host the Minnesota Vikings (4-8) on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.