The Lions enter Week 17 as newly-crowned NFC North champions, but coach Dan Campbell insisted last weekend that the division title was just the beginning. If Detroit wants to achieve its larger goals in 2023, a win over the Cowboys would be a giant step in the right direction.
The top seed in the NFC is still on the table for the Lions, but a loss plus a win by either the 49ers or Eagles would knock Detroit out of that mix.
Even if the Lions don’t secure a first-round bye, a win in Dallas would be a key confidence-builder ahead of what they hope will be a deep playoff run. Jared Goff and the offense are playing at a high level once again, and the defense has a chance to get itself back on track with the right kind of performance against a reeling Cowboys team.
The Cowboys severely damaged their once-promising NFC East hopes by dropping back-to-back games against the Bills and Dolphins, but Dallas can enter Week 18 still in contention with a win on Saturday regardless of what the Eagles do on Sunday. A three-game losing streak entering Week 18 would not leave Mike McCarthy’s group with the right taste in its mouth as Dallas tries to prepare for its own playoff run.
MORE: Watch Lions vs. Cowboys with Fubo (free trial)
Between Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Goff and the Lions’ surging running game, it’s fair to say points will be scored on Saturday night. The defense that rises up figures to be the one that walks away with a crucial win.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Saturday night’s game between the Lions and Cowboys. Follow along with all of the key moments below.
Lions vs. Cowboys score
1 2 3 4 F Lions 3 0 7 3 – Cowboys 7 0 3 0 –
Lions vs. Cowboys live updates, highlights from Week 17 game
(All times Eastern)
Lions 13, Cowboys 10
10:31 p.m. FIELD GOAL — This time, Detroit was simply trying to get Dallas to jump. Badgley drills a 30-yard field goal try to put the Lions back in front with 12 minutes to play.
10:30 p.m. — The Lions look like they’ll go for it on 4th & 3…
10:26 p.m. — Jameson Williams burns DaRon Bland and catches a bomb from Goff for 63 yards. That’s the breakthrough play the Lions’ passing game has been looking for. Detroit is in field goal range.
HOLY 😳
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
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— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023End of third quarter: Lions 10, Cowboys 10
10:22 p.m. — A 34-yard run by Gibbs is brought all the way back by a holding penalty.
Lions 10, Cowboys 10
10:20 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The drive doesn’t end the way the Cowboys were hoping, but they do tie it up on a 51-yard field goal by the automatic Brandon Aubrey. It’s 10-10.
10:16 p.m. — When in doubt, CeeDee Lamb. Prescott finds his top receiver, who muscles his way past the first down marker to keep this drive very much alive.
.@_ceedeethree and @dak are firing on all cylinders tonight
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/MFPnHW4eEy
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
10:14 p.m. — Tyler Smith is down and grabbing at the back of his leg as the Cowboys face 3rd & 11. That’s a bad development for a Dallas line that has been imperfect tonight.
10:11 p.m. — Tony Pollard has had a rough night, but he finally breaks through with an 18-yard run to take the Cowboys into Lions territory.
TD David Montgomery! @Lions take the lead in Dallas
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/MiRiXEQp6q
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023Lions 10, Cowboys 7
10:07 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Montgomery is in for the touchdown! The Lions have had the ball plenty tonight, but they finally get into the end zone deep into the third quarter. Detroit is in front.
10:06 p.m. — It’s third and roughly two yards just a few yards from the end zone, after Montgomery pushed Detroit closer to the goal line.
10:01 p.m. — Sam LaPorta picks up the key first down for Detroit.
10:00 p.m. — Fourth down coming up for the Lions on 4th & short…the offense stays on the field.
9:59 p.m. — Montgomery runs the Lions right into Dallas territory as he goes for 21 yards. The running game has been pretty effective for Detroit aside from the occasional big play by Lawrence or Parsons.
9:56 p.m. — The Lions do force a punt, so the defense continues to do its job. Pressure is mounting on the offense to put points on the board.
9:53 p.m. — Lamb gets back in on the action with a first down catch.
9:52 p.m. — This opening drive is a major moment for the Lions’ defense, which has been great tonight but has been forced to play with little margin for error.
9:50 p.m. — Legendary Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor during halftime.
“HOW ‘BOUT THEM COWBOYS?!” Jimmy Johnson still knows how to fire up a crowd 🔥
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
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— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023End of first half: Cowboys 7, Lions 3
9:35 p.m. — Hutchinson sacks Prescott to put a quick end to any hope the Cowboys had of scoring before halftime. That’s Hutchinson’s second sack of the night.
9:32 p.m. — That was an abysmal drive by the Lions, as Demarcus Lawrence drops Gibbs behind the line of scrimmage on third down and forces a quick punt. Detroit will have to hope Dallas doesn’t put points on the board before the end of the half. The Cowboys have 44 seconds and a timeout to work with.
9:29 p.m. — Kalif Raymond puts together a nice return for the Lions, and this sequence will be a critical one for Goff. Detroit does not get the ball out of halftime.
9:28 p.m. — The Cowboys will punt it away with just under two minutes remaining.
9:25 p.m. — A delay of game penalty will make it 3rd & 22 for the Cowboys out of the two-minute warning. The Lions are looking for one more possession before the end of the half.
9:23 p.m. — Aidan Hutchinson makes a huge play, taking down Prescott for a 8-yard loss after beating Tyron Smith. It’s 3rd & 17 for Dallas.
.@aidanhutch97 coming in hot 🔥
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
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— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
9:17 p.m. — This risk doesn’t work out in Campbell’s favor. Goff is pressured immediately and throws incomplete in the end zone. The Cowboys will take over with their lead intact.
9:15 p.m. — Detroit misses three opportunities to punch it in. Will the Lions go for it from four yards out of the end zone? This looks like a risky call by Campbell.
9:13 p.m. — The Lions are slicing through the Cowboys’ run defense all of a sudden. Gibbs rattles off back-to-back big runs, and his 17-yard gain has Detroit in a 1st & Goal situation.
9:11 p.m. — What a call by Dan Campbell. The Lions fake the punt, and they could not have done it any better as Jalen Reeves-Maybin throws a perfect pass to Khalil Dorsey for 31 yards.
FAKE PUNT! This game is wildin’
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/nOSMTaCC2G
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
9:08 p.m. FUMBLE — One of the most controversial rules in football haunts the Cowboys. Lamb fumbles through the end zone, and that is automatically a touchback for the Lions. What a massive momentum shift.
Touchback! @Lions get the ball after a fumble in the end zone 👀
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/8UGeDr5PAD
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
9:05 p.m. — Just like that, another catch by Cooks has the Cowboys in the red zone.
9:04 p.m. — Prescott quickly finds Brandin Cooks for a 20-yard gain.
9:00 p.m. INTERCEPTION — Now Jourdan Lewis intercepts Goff! Both teams have a turnover already, and this one erases what could’ve been a scoring opportunity for Detroit.
.@JourdanJD with the pick for the @dallascowboys!
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/s8B2BbfnJM
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
8:59 p.m. — There’s another big gain for St. Brown, who’s up to 56 yards on three catches as he tries to kickstart this Lions drive.
End of first quarter: Cowboys 7, Lions 3
8:55 p.m. — The Lions force a 3rd & 14, and the Cowboys just run it with Pollard. Unsuccessful. Dallas will punt it away and give the Lions a chance to get decent field position.
8:50 p.m. — Now its the Cowboys run defense’s turn to make a play, dropping David Montgomery for a loss and bringing up fourth down.
8:46 p.m. — Replay shows Derrick Barnes had a shot to wrap up Prescott in the end zone, but he just…ran right past him. Meanwhile, Lions safety Tracy Walker is down and in pain after the kickoff.
interesting sack attempt by 55 pic.twitter.com/E2wJ9zLBkJ
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) December 31, 2023Cowboys 7, Lions 3
8:42 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Woah! Prescott is nearly sacked for a safety, but he gets away and finds Lamb for a massive 92-yard touchdown. 92. yards.
UNREAL 92-YARD TD 😱😱😱
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/uVK0ixWWZo
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
8:40 p.m. — These run defenses are making plays early on. Tony Pollard is now down to -5 yards on two carries.
8:37 p.m. — Dorance Armstrong sacks Goff, and those two plays take the Lions out of field goal range entirely. Detroit will punt as Dallas gets a crucial defensive stop.
Big sack for Armstrong 💪
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/GeghgkM1a5
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
8:36 p.m. — What a play by Micah Parsons, who drops Jahmyr Gibbs for a four-yard loss. Parsons was all over that.
8:35 p.m. — St. Brown goes for 14 yards on the catch-and-run as he looks poised for another huge night.
8:31 p.m. INTERCEPTION — Prescott is picked off by Ifeatu Melifonwu! Melifonwu read it well and took it right out of Lamb’s grasp to end a scoring opportunity for the Cowboys.
.@Lions INT! @Ifeatu_Mel with his 2nd pick of the week 😮
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/DOQnRNEFWG
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
8:29 p.m. — Big play for CeeDee Lamb on third down! Cameron Sutton misses the tackle, and Lamb breaks free for 31 yards on his first catch of the night.
CeeDee SLIPPERY 🐑
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/uDXmkHO7oC
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023Lions 3, Cowboys 0
8:23 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Lions don’t convert this time, and it wouldn’t have mattered anyway with a call for a block in the back. Michael Badgley drills a 41-yard field goal to give Detroit an early lead.
8:21 p.m. — Another third down, another conversion. David Montgomery runs up the middle for a first down and more as the Lions go comfortably into field goal range.
.@Lions keep converting ➡️
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/8PNuJAnCiM
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
8:18 p.m. — Amon-Ra St. Brown, who’s finishing up an outstanding season, takes Detroit into Dallas territory with a 23-yard grab.
8:17 p.m. — A choppy start for the Lions’ offense, but Goff throws a dart to Kalif Raymond on 3rd & 10 to avoid a three-and-out.
8:15 p.m. — Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense will start with the ball.
8:00 p.m. — Among the milestones that can be reached tonight, Jared Goff is 16 yards shy of 4,000 for the season while Sam LaPorta is quickly rising among the all-time rookie leaders for yards by a tight end. Dak Prescott is also 108 yards away from 4,000, while CeeDee Lamb is 76 yards shy of 1,500 for the year.
7:45 p.m. — The Lions cannot be eliminated from No. 1 seed contention tonight, but a loss would mean just a 49ers OR Eagles win tomorrow ends their hopes of a bye.
7:15 p.m. — The Cowboys cannot be eliminated from NFC East contention tonight, but a loss and an Eagles win tomorrow would end those hopes. A loss would knock Dallas out of contention for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
6:55 p.m. — No surprises on the Cowboys’ inactives list.
The @dallascowboys inactives against Detroit:
#15 Trey Lance (emergency third QB)
#19 Noah Igbinoghene (CB)
#23 Rico Dowdle (RB)
#37 Eric Scott (CB)
#76 Asim Richards (T)
#79 Matt Waletzko (T)
#95 Johnathan Hankins (DT)
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) December 30, 2023
6:50 p.m. — CB Cameron Sutton is a go for the Lions. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is nearing a return but was not activated ahead of tonight.
#DETvsDAL inactives presented by Henry Ford Health pic.twitter.com/250OPQUW5v
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 30, 2023
6:20 p.m. — It’s also a special night for Jimmy Johnson, who will finally be honored by Jerry Jones and the Cowboys.
Jimmy Johnson on the Arkansas oil man and the college coach who took over the Cowboys in 1989:
“A lot of people dream. We never dreamed. We believed we’d get it done.” pic.twitter.com/9Y1YXD1C5C
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) December 30, 2023
6:15 p.m. — The Cowboys are a perfect 7-0 at home this season. Considering Dallas has simply been a different team at AT&T Stadium, a Lions win would be a sign that Dan Campbell’s team can win in a tough environment in the playoffs.
What channel is Lions vs. Cowboys on today?
Game: Detroit Lions vs. Dallas CowboysDate: Saturday, Dec. 30TV channel: ESPN, ABCLive stream: ESPN+, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada)
With no “Monday Night Football” broadcast on New Year’s Day, ESPN’s crew of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will call Saturday night’s game between the Lions and Cowboys from AT&T Stadium.
The game will also air on ABC. Lisa Salters will serve as a sideline reporter providing updates to Buck and Aikman.
Fans can also stream the game via ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial. Viewers in Canada can stream every NFL game via DAZN.
MORE: Lions react to first division title in 30 years
Lions vs. Cowboys start time
Date: Saturday, Dec. 30Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. CT)
Saturday’s battle between the Lions and Cowboys will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET, which also serves as the regular start time for “Monday Night Football.” The game will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex.