The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys played on October 13, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the game ended with a big win for Detroit with a final score of 47 to 9. The match felt one-sided from early in the game, and the Lions controlled the pace on offense and defense. It was a strong performance that showed how much this team has improved. The Cowboys struggled to move the ball for most of the game, and the scoreboard reflected the pressure they faced on every drive.
This article looks at full match player stats from both sides, along with what the numbers mean in simple words. The goal is not only to list yards, touchdowns, or tackles, but to help you understand how each player performed and why certain plays changed the flow of the game. This breakdown focuses on the strengths, weaknesses, and patterns that shaped the final score.
The information here is useful for fans who want a clear picture of the match, analysts who like digging into performance trends, fantasy football players tracking value, and sports bettors who follow changes in player form. This guide turns the numbers into easy stories so you can see how each player helped or hurt their team.
If you are searching for honest and simple details on detroit lions vs dallas cowboys match player stats, this article gives you the complete breakdown in friendly language so you can understand what happened without reading long, complicated reports.
Game Snapshot – Final Score, Key Moments, And Why This Matchup Mattered
The final score on October 13, 2024 was Detroit Lions 47, Dallas Cowboys 9.
Scoring by quarter looked like this:
- 1st Quarter: Cowboys: 3 pts, Lions: 7 pts
- 2nd Quarter: Lions added 20 pts; Cowboys managed only a field goal before halftime.
- 3rd Quarter: Lions continued dominating.
- 4th Quarter: Lions sealed the game comfortably.
From the start, the balance tipped clearly in favor of Detroit. They responded quickly after Dallas’s opening field goal and never let momentum go.
Key Turning Points and Momentum Swings
- After Dallas kicked a field goal on their first drive, Detroit answered fast with a 16-yard rushing touchdown by David Montgomery. That quick response set the tone early.
- On Dallas’s second drive, their push into the red zone ended abruptly when Lions safety Brian Branch intercepted the ball in the end zone. That play killed a scoring opportunity and swung momentum heavily toward Detroit.
- Before halftime, Detroit struck with a creative 52-yard trick play: a reverse and a deep pass to tight end Sam LaPorta for a touchdown. That widened the lead and made the game feel unreachable for Dallas by halftime.
By halftime, Lions had built a 27–6 lead. From there, they never looked back.
Why This Matchup Mattered
- This blowout was more than just a win — it was a statement. Detroit crushed Dallas at their home stadium, showing dominance in offense, defense, and execution.
- The margin (38 points) tied for one of the worst home losses in Cowboys history. That makes the result historically significant for fans of both teams.
- For Detroit, the victory sent a message: they can compete — and dominate — even on the road against established teams. For Dallas, the collapse raised questions about offensive schemes, defense underperformance, and ability to respond under pressure.
All told, the October 13 clash wasn’t just another game. It was a turning point — one that will be remembered when people talk about recent Detroit vs Dallas rivalries.
Team Stat Comparison – Lions vs Cowboys Side by Side
Here’s a clear, side-by-side look at how the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys compared in the Oct 13, 2024 game. This shows more than just who scored — it reveals how Detroit dominated across almost every measure.
| Stat / Metric | Lions (DET) | Cowboys (DAL) |
| Total Yards | 492 | 251 |
| Yards per Play | 7.5 | 3.9 |
| Passing Yards | 308 | 198 |
| Rushing Yards | 184 | 53 |
| First Downs (Total) | 27 | 16 |
| 3rd-Down Conversion | 4/10 (40%) | 3/13 (~23%) |
| 4th-Down Conversion | 1/2 (50%) | 1/4 (25%) |
| Time of Possession | 34:43 | 25:17 |
| Turnovers Committed | 0 | 5 |
| Penalties (Count) | 8 | 4 |
Key Insights: Where Detroit Dominated
- Total offense and efficiency — Lions nearly doubled Dallas in total yards (492 vs 251) and gained almost twice as many yards per play (7.5 vs 3.9). That shows Detroit’s offense was sharp and consistently productive.
- Balanced attack — Lions combined strong rushing (184 yards) with efficient passing (308 yards), making it hard for Cowboys to defend both. Dallas’s offense lacked balance, with only 53 rushing yards.
- Time and drives control — With over nine extra minutes of possession, Detroit controlled tempo. More drives, more first downs, and better conversions meant more scoring chances and less opportunity for Cowboys to mount a comeback.
- Third- and fourth-down pressure — Converting 40% on third down (vs ~23% for Dallas) kept Detroit’s drives alive. Their 4th-down success also shows they pushed when needed.
- Turnover- and field-position swing — Zero turnovers by Lions but FIVE by Cowboys swung field position heavily Detroit’s way. That’s likely the biggest invisible factor behind the lopsided score.
- Efficiency over penalties — Despite more penalties (8 vs 4), Detroit’s dominance shows they overcame mistakes. Meanwhile, Dallas offered fewer mistakes but couldn’t convert drives — underperforming overall.
Why This Comparison Matters
Looking at just the final score (47–9) gives you the result. But this table shows why the score was that lopsided. Detroit’s dominance was in almost every aspect: yardage, efficiency, possession, ball security, and drive-making. That paints a full picture for fans, bettors, or analysts who want to see more than just who scored.
Quarterbacks Duel – Jared Goff vs Dak Prescott By The Numbers
Passing Production And Efficiency
In the October 13, 2024 game between the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys, the contrast between the two quarterbacks was huge. Jared Goff completed 18 of 25 passes for 315 yards, threw 3 touchdowns, and had no interceptions. His passer rating soared to about 153.8. Meanwhile, Dak Prescott finished 17 of 33 for only 178 yards, no touchdowns, and threw 2 interceptions. His passer rating ended at a low 42.2.
What do these numbers tell us in simple terms? Goff was efficient and precise. He didn’t waste attempts and picked his spots well, spreading the ball effectively and avoiding costly mistakes. That helped the Lions build drives and convert those into points.
On the other hand, Prescott’s numbers show a rough day. Low completion rate, no scores, and two interceptions reflect stalled drives and failed opportunities. When passes didn’t connect, or went to the wrong place, Dallas’s offense stalled, and turnovers gave Detroit prime field position.
Overall, Goff’s clean, high-efficiency game helped Detroit control the tempo and offense. Prescott’s mistakes and inefficiency were a big reason Dallas never got going.
Pressure, Decision Making, And Play Calling
Pressure and cadence played a huge role. The Lions defense and pass rush disrupted Dallas often, sacking Prescott four times and not letting him get comfortable. That pressure forced him to hurry throws or check down rather than letting plays develop deep. The result: shorter passes, conservative plays, and few explosive plays downfield.
From the play-calling side, Detroit mixed things up. They didn’t just run safe plays. Goff had the green light to push the ball — one of his touchdowns came on a deep ball to tight end Sam LaPorta, showing the Lions trusted their pass game under pressure. That aggressive but controlled approach kept the Cowboys off balance.
Dallas, however, seemed to struggle to find rhythm. Under pressure and without receivers breaking free, they often settled for field goals or short gains. Their fourth-down attempt failed; later they couldn’t convert in red-zone trips.
In short: Detroit’s decision making and play-calling leaned on Goff’s strengths and exploited Dallas’s weaknesses. Dallas tried to fight back but pressure, mistakes, and conservative decisions killed most of their chances.
Offensive Playmakers – Rushing, Receiving, And Red Zone Threats
Running Backs And Ground Game Impact
The run game was a major reason the Detroit Lions took control. David Montgomery carried 12 times for 80 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs added 12 carries for 63 yards, giving Detroit a combined 143 rushing yards between its two main backs. Overall, the team rushed for 184 yards. Their yards-per-carry was solid and consistent, which helped them stay ahead on the chains and move the ball reliably.
That steady success on the ground did more than just rack up yards. It opened up play-action passes, kept the Cowboys defense honest, and gave the Lions flexibility in play-calling. While Detroit leaned on its run game, the Dallas Cowboys struggled — their running attack was ineffective, they could not sustain drives, and their offense became predictable.
Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, And Chunk Plays
On top of the strong rushing game, Detroit got major contributions from its receivers and tight ends. Sam LaPorta caught a 52-yard touchdown pass — one of the explosive plays that flipped field position and energized the offense. Amon-Ra St. Brown hauled in a 4-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, capping the scoring. These chunk plays — not just short-yardage receptions but big gains — forced Dallas to defend the entire field.
These big plays didn’t just pad stats. They converted red-zone opportunities into points, sustained drives, and prevented the Cowboys from catching up. Detroit’s mix of ground game and vertical threats meant that Dallas had to spread out defensively; when the Cowboys failed to contain the run, receivers and tight ends took advantage — a combination that ultimately drove the scoreboard.
Defense And Special Teams – Sacks, Takeaways, And Hidden Yardage
Defensive Playmaking And Disruption
Detroit’s defense made the difference. The Lions recorded multiple sacks and quarterback hits. They broke up several passes, and added an interception deep in Cowboys territory. That kind of pressure rattled the Dallas offense every time they got near midfield.
Because of that disruption, the Cowboys couldn’t sustain drives. Even when they had the ball, they rarely converted third downs. Dallas ended drives with punts or turnovers. Meanwhile the Lions often got the ball back with good field position.
Even though both teams ran a similar number of offensive plays, Detroit’s defense held Dallas to low yardage and just 9 points. Turnovers and defensive stops repeatedly shifted momentum and cut short potential scoring chances for Dallas.
Kicking, Punting, And Field Position
Special teams also played a subtle but key role. Dallas missed a field goal and had a few punts that gave Detroit starting field position in favorable spots. Their punt return yardage, or lack of strong returns, meant they rarely flipped field position back.
On the other hand, Detroit’s offensive drives — set up by strong defense and smart offense — often began closer to midfield or in good field-position range. That “hidden yardage” from defense and punts doesn’t show up in the highlight reel, but it contributes heavily to scoreboard control.
In short, pressure, takeaways, punts, and field-position swings added up. Detroit didn’t just out-play Dallas on offense: they out-played them in all three phases: offense, defense, and special teams.
Advanced And Situational Stats – Third Downs, Red Zone, And Efficiency
In this section, we move beyond raw yardage and scoring. We look at how well each team handled key moments: third downs, red-zone attempts, drive efficiency and how these deeper stats help explain why the game ended 47–9.
Situational Numbers That Matter
Here are some of the key situational stats from the game that shape how drives turned out for Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys.
| Situation / Metric | Lions (DET) | Cowboys (DAL) |
| Third-down conversions | 4 of 10 (40%) | 3 of 13 (≈23%) |
| Fourth-down conversions | 1 of 2 | 1 of 4 |
| Total drives | 12 | 11 |
| Yards per play | 7.5 | 3.9 |
| Total plays run | 66 | 65 |
| Time of possession (TOP) | 34:43 minutes | 25:17 minutes |
What These Stats Tell Us
Consistent Drive Extensions
The Lions converted 40 percent of their third-downs. That shows they kept drives alive when it mattered. In contrast, the Cowboys’ roughly 23 percent shows frequent stops right when they needed to move the chains. Because of that difference, Detroit kept control, kept the ball long, and maintained momentum.
Efficiency Per Play
Yards per play (7.5 for Detroit vs 3.9 for Dallas) paint a clear picture: Detroit’s offense made almost every play count. They didn’t just run a lot of plays — many plays gained substantial yardage. For Dallas, even though the number of plays was similar, they got far fewer yards per play. That reveals inefficiency: the offense ran plays but failed to gain meaningful ground. Advanced-stats analysts often use yards per play or success-rate per play instead of total yards or total plays to judge real effectiveness.
Control Through Time of Possession
Detroit held the ball for more than nine extra minutes. That kind of control allows an offense to set the tempo, rest the defense, and keep the opponent off the field. For Dallas, shorter possession time meant fewer opportunities — and their defense had to stay on the field more often, risking fatigue and breakdowns. Time of possession may not always win games by itself, but when combined with effective offense it becomes a powerful tool.
Fourth-Down Decisions and Aggressive Play-calling
Detroit’s willingness to go for it on fourth down (successfully once) shows confidence. With high efficiency on third down and strong yard-per-play numbers, these fourth down attempts are low risk. On the other hand, Dallas’ failed fourth-down conversion underscores hesitation or desperation — not a sign of offensive control.
Situational Edge Compounds Over Game
The difference in third-down performance, yards per play, and TOP doesn’t just matter for one drive — it adds up over the game. More sustained drives, more efficient plays and more time with the ball translate into more scoring chances. Even if raw totals tell part of the story, these situational stats explain why the game felt lopsided on the field.
Why These Stats Go Beyond the Score
Many casual fans look at total yards or final score. But advanced and situational metrics show how and why teams succeeded or failed. For example:
- A team might gain a lot of yards but stall in the red zone — not efficient.
- Another team might run fewer plays, but if each play is big (high yards per play), they can still dominate.
- Controlling third-downs and TOP helps you avoid risky turnovers or quick punts.
In this Lions vs Cowboys game, situational stats confirm what the scoreboard shows: Detroit dominated not just by scoring more, but by playing smarter, executing better, and controlling the game rhythm.
Historical Rivalry Context – Where This Game Ranks In Lions vs Cowboys History
Across all games (regular season and playoffs), Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys have faced each other roughly 32 times. The Cowboys lead the overall series with around 19 wins to 13 for the Lions.
Before this 47–9 blowout, most games between them were competitive affairs — wins and losses often close. A margin this wide is rare. That makes the October 13, 2024 result stand out historically. For the Lions, it marks one of their biggest victories over Dallas. For the Cowboys, it represents one of their worst home losses under their current era.
This lopsided result may shift how future matchups are viewed. Analysts, sportsbooks, and fans may now treat Detroit with more respect — seeing them as a stronger, more complete team. Meanwhile, Dallas may be scrutinized more closely on defense and consistency when facing the Lions again.
Conclusion – Key Takeaways From The Lions vs Cowboys Match Player Stats
- Detroit’s win shows how balanced offense and strong defense combine to dominate: their ground and air game both worked, and their defense pressured Dallas all game long.
- Quarterback play: Detroit’s QB made clean, efficient throws and avoided mistakes. Dallas’s QB struggled with turnovers and inconsistent drives.
- Skill players and runners: Detroit’s rushers and receivers produced big plays and kept drives alive. Their success on the ground opened up the pass game.
- Defense and momentum: Detroit’s defense forced turnovers, halted drives, and flipped field position. That helped build and maintain the lead.
If you want a clear, all-in-one look, this breakdown of Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats offers more than just numbers — it shows how the game really played out for every fan or analyst wanting context, not just the final score.
Quick Questions People Ask
What was the final score of the Lions vs Cowboys game?
The Lions won with a big margin and scored well on offense while holding the Cowboys to a low total.
Who played better at quarterback Goff or Prescott?
Goff had a clean performance with strong accuracy and no mistakes while Prescott struggled with turnovers and missed chances.
How did the Lions dominate on offense?
They ran the ball well used big plays in the pass game and finished drives with touchdowns instead of field goals.
Why did the Cowboys struggle so much in this game?
Their offense could not run the ball and they turned the ball over often which gave the Lions easy scoring chances.
Where did the Lions show the biggest advantage?
They were better on third downs more explosive with the ball and stronger on defense which controlled the flow of the game.
Disclaimer: This content is created for general information only. The statistics and details shared are based on publicly available match data and may change as updated information is released. The purpose of this article is to provide a simple breakdown of the game for fans and readers. It should not be used as betting advice or taken as professional sports analysis.
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