NFL Saturday: Dallas holds on to defeat Detroit

NFL Saturday: Dallas holds on to defeat Detroit

The Detroit Lions’ third attempt at a 2-point conversion with 23 seconds to play resulted in an incomplete pass, allowing the Dallas Cowboys to escape with a 20-19 victory on Saturday night.

The Lions had driven 75 yards in nine plays in 78 seconds for a touchdown that pulled Detroit within one point of the lead.

The Lions went for the win instead of tying the game with an extra point, and quarterback Jared Goff threw a 2-point pass to offensive tackle Taylor Decker. But Detroit was penalized for illegal touching because the officials ruled Decker hadn’t reported he would be an eligible receiver. An interception on the second 2-point conversion was nullified because the Cowboys’ Micah Parson was offside, leading to the final and unsuccessful attempt.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb became the Dallas single-season record-holder for receptions and receiving yards as he added 13 receptions for 227 yards and one touchdown to his 2023 totals, including a 92-yard reception for the Cowboys’ first touchdown that is the longest play from scrimmage in the NFL this season.

Six players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Detroit-Dallas game:

· Lions defensive back Brian Branch (Alabama) made four tackles and broke up two passes.

· Lions defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs (Alabama) did not record any stats.

· Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama) ran for 43 yards on 15 carries and caught one pass for no gain. Gibbs lost a 34-yard run to an offensive-holding penalty.

· Cowboys cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (Hewitt-Trussville, Auburn) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (Northridge, North Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (McGill-Toolen, South Alabama) had a 9-yard reception and made one tackle on a fake punt.

· Jameson Williams (Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Lions. Williams had two receptions for 69 yards. Williams had the longest reception of his career for a 63-yard gain on the second snap of the fourth quarter to set up a field goal as Detroit took a 13-10 lead. But Williams sustained an ankle injury on the play.

· Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams (Lee-Montgomery) made one tackle on special teams.

The outcome left each team with an 11-5 record. Both teams already had secured playoff berths, with Detroit earning the NFC North title and Dallas now one-half game behind the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East.

On Jan. 7, the teams will complete their regular-season schedules, with the Lions at home against the Minnesota Vikings and the Cowboys visiting the Washington Commanders.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs tries to get past Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons during an NFL game on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.