Five reasons the Detroit Lions lost to the Cowboys, 42-21

Detroit Lions' Zach Zenner (34) and Matthew Stafford (9) celebrate a touchdown scored by Zenner in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Detroit Lions' Johnson Bademosi (29) defends as Dallas Cowboys' Dez Bryant (88) catches a pass in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

By Paula Pasche | The Oakland Press

PUBLISHED: December 26, 2016 at 11:22 p.m. | UPDATED: June 17, 2021 at 6:38 a.m.

The Lions got off to a good start in Dallas on Monday night, scoring on their first three possessions. But then they fell behind and lost 42-21 to the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

In the second half the Lions played poorly in all three phases and turned the ball over twice. Even Matt Prater, who had kicked 19 straight field goals, missed a 47-yard attempt wide left.

PHOTOS FROM LIONS LOSS TO COWBOYS

Detroit is now 9-6 and will play the Green Bay Packers (9-6) on Sunday night. The winner takes the NFC North title.

“I think our guys are resilient, it’s a tough-minded group, we’ll be fine,” coach Jim Caldwell said after the loss.

The Lions can gain a playoff berth earlier on Sunday if the Giants beat the Redskins.

Five reasons the Lions lost:

1. Dallas linebacker Sean Lee was just too much to handle for the Lions’ offensive line. He is just one cog in the Dallas defense but an important one. The Lions had no answer in the dime package with two linebackers – including Lee. That was all set up by Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.

2. The Lions secondary missed cornerback Darius Slay big-time. Quarterback Dak Prescott picked on cornerback Johnson Bademosi and it was a good strategy. It’s tough to cover Dez Bryant and it showed. Lions just don’t have enough depth at corner. They could be in trouble next week against the Packers if Slay (hamstring) can’t return. The Cowboys have arguably the best offensive line in the league so it was tough to get any kind of pass rush. Prescott typically had plenty of time in the pocket. Ziggy Ansah did sack him once.

3. The Lions started running the ball surprisingly well with Zach Zenner getting the start. Zenner scored two rushing touchdowns in a career night (12 carries for 67 yards and two catches for 25 yards). He was the go-to guy in the first three drives which all resulted in touchdowns. This was no easy task against the NFL’s best rushing defense. The Lions scored on their first three possessions – all rushing touchdowns with Matthew Stafford sneaking in for one, along with Zenner’s two. In the previous 14 games, the Lions had just managed five rushing touchdowns. In the second half Zenner had just two carries. “Things change in terms of what we’re looking at, what they’re giving us. We have an offense that adjusts to what we see and sometimes it’s a little more pass than run,” Caldwell said.

4. Stafford had a lot on his plate especially when the Lions were down in the second half and forced to pass more often. Basically the Dallas native played a good game but looked like he was trying to do too much about time he threw an interception on second-and-3 early in the third quarter. The Cowboys made it count , scoring a touchdown on the ensuing drive to go up 28-21. Stafford finished 26 of 46 for 260 yards, one interception and a 63.7 rating. He was sacked four times. If you ever doubted Stafford’s toughness, watch his quarterback sneak in the second quarter.

5. Ezekiel Elliott was not completely shut down, but he was controlled. The rookie running back sensation has averaged 110.7 yards per game and was held to 80 by the Lions. He did, however, score a pair of rushing touchdowns including a 55-yard scamper.