The Detroit Lions had something to prove when they came into AT&T Stadium to take on the Dallas Cowboys. Last December, as a result of an official’s botched eligible man down-field call, Detroit lost the game to Dallas 20-19 and it unfairly cost the team the number one seed in the NFC.
It wasn’t enough for Detroit to walk away with the win. This game turned into a complete and total annihilation of the Cowboys. After a bloody and relentless onslaught by the Lions, the final score was a decisive 47-9 victory.
Detroit Lions’ Total Annihilation of The Dallas Cowboys
The 4-1 Lions and Ben Johnson’s offense was so sharp and in sync that the Lions scored on nine straight possessions. They dominated Dallas so thoroughly that the Cowboys’ defense was completely overwhelmed. Jack Fox didn’t have to punt once throughout the game while the Lions’ offense scored at will.
Jared Goff finished the game completing 18 of 25 passes for 315 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Goff is playing the best football of his career right now. He was on fire against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4, throwing 18 of 18 for 292 yards with two passing touchdowns. That game also gave Goff his first career touchdown reception when Amon-Ra St. Brown fired off a Sun God Special Delivery.
But Goff wasn’t the only scoring machine this week. Everyone showed up to contribute to the 47-point scoring feast. Fresh off his brand new contract extension, David Montgomery started the afternoon with a seven-yard touchdown run. Montgomery would finish the game with 12 rushes for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
Tight end Sam LaPorta finally got on the scoreboard for the Lions this week with a brilliant trick play. Goff tossed the ball to Montgomery who passed it off to St. Brown who flicked it back to Goff who hefted it downfield to LaPorta for a 52-yard score. Taking a 17-3 lead, the Lions’ offense looked strong and in control. In their last two appearances, the Lions’ offense has scored back-to-back 40-point games.
Down A Man, The Defense Steps Up
The Lions’ 47-9 rout of their arch-rivals would have made for a perfect afternoon if not for a gruesome injury. Aidan Hutchinson their talented defense team captain, went down with a horrific leg injury after sacking Prescott. After a sensational start to the season where he was leading the league with 6 1/2 sacks, it was heartbreaking to see Hutchinson carted off the field with a serious injury.
But instead of letting Hutchinson’s injury dampen the spirits of the defense, his loss only seemed to ignite the team’s passion. Just as the offense was off to the races Sunday afternoon, the Lions’ defense doubled down to produce a total of five Dallas takeaways.
Safety Brian Branch was all over the field creating chaos for Dak Prescott on Sunday. Branch forced a fumble and had two of the Lions’ three interceptions including a grab that he returned 47 yards. In addition to Branch, other defensive standouts included Kerby Joseph, who recorded his fourth interception of the year, and rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold who played his best game of the season. Arnold broke up a pass when the Cowboys were in scoring position and retrieved another ball that Branch punched out.
Arnold has taken a lot of criticism of late due to multiple pass interference penalties. But on Sunday, he played a clean game, focusing on playing the ball rather than defending the player.
Special Teams Add To The Annihilation
Lions kicker Jake Bates was perfect on the afternoon with four field goals and five extra points. In addition to a couple of 33-yard field goals, Bates added a 40-yard field goal and another from 47 yards. Although Fox had a quiet afternoon and didn’t get a chance to punt, he helped Bates’ scoring efforts as a holder.
Can The Lions Do It Again?
Next up for the 4-1 Lions is a road trip to take on their division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Currently atop the division at 5-0, the Vikings are a formidable opponent with a revitalized Sam Darnold leading the offense. But if the Lions continue to annihilate teams the way they did today, the Vikings won’t be undefeated for long.
Main Image: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
