After all, the Detroit Lions have played good football throughout the majority of the year, and they came to town in need of a win.
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Their playoff fate had already been decided.
The Lions (9-6) needed the win to secure a playoff berth.
“We know Matt’s a little banged-up”, tight end Eric Ebron said after the Cowboys game.
The Cowboys pummeled the Lions on Monday night, using a 28-0 run to take command of a game that was close in the second quarter.
The made Dan Bailey PAT after the Bryant touchdown would tie the ball game up at 21 points apiece shortly before halftime in Arlington. In the regular-season finale at Washington, Romo sat after the first series of the third quarter. But those years are long gone, as players, coaches and stadiums have changed, and the 2016 National Football League season has been remarkably exciting especially for both of tonight’s teams. Will Detroit’s desperation help or hurt their chances? This is not a surprise considering the Cowboys have consistently said they will not rest their starters, but it is still comforting to fantasy owners.
Of course, that was part of the thought process heading into Monday’s game.
Congratulations to my @dallascowboys on another win. we are America’s team! The Cowboys did have a scare with Tyron Smith leaving early with a knee injury as well as injuries to Terrell McClain, Ryan Davis and Anthony Brown.
VANISHING RUN: Detroit’s 29th-ranked rushing offense got a career-high 64 yards and two touchdowns from Zach Zenner in the first half against the NFL’s top rushing defense and the only one that hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher this season. The Cowboys promptly lost their first playoff game to the New York Giants and watched their division rival upset undefeated New England in the Super Bowl. Despite their improved defense, the Cowboys have continued to struggle at bringing down opposing quarterbacks. Prescott was 15-for-20 for 212 yards passing with three touchdowns. While the Lawson-Bryant matchup appears to favor the Cowboys on paper, the real weak spot in the Lions’ defense is at the slot cornerback position, where Jackson was burned repeatedly by the Giants last week.
Wide receiver Dez Bryant caught a pair of touchdown passes and threw another, and rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 80 yards and two scores on 12 carries.
The seventh-year receiver not only scored two receiving touchdowns, but he also completed his first pass attempt for a score.
But the real excitement came in the third quarter when offensive coordinator Scott Linehan opened up the playbook on first and goal at the 10.
A week later, wearing a modified glove that covered up his middle finger but left his other four fingers exposed, Stafford threw an interception in the end zone while trying to force a pass to Boldin.
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Fun was had all round. “I really like coming home and playing in Dallas”, Stafford said.
