Three and Out: Lions find their moxie in face of adversity and coaching decisions deliver in big win over Cowboys

Here are three observations after a second viewing and a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Back from the brink

Earlier in the week, I wrote about the noticeable absence of Detroit’s trademark grittiness and the team’s doubt-fueled effort to rediscover it heading into Thursday’s matchup.

Despite a lengthy track record of responding to adversity, I had joined the chorus of doubters. Not necessarily in the long-term future of Dan Campbell’s program, but at least for the 2025 season, which felt like it was circling the drain after a 2-3 November and a second loss to the Green Bay Packers.

The effort never waned, but the Lions lacked moxie. They still got up when knocked down, but they weren’t even piercing the skin when they tried to bite a kneecap. The counterpunches that had previously produced knockouts were being shrugged off with concerning regularity.

One of the league’s best on fourth down, the Lions suddenly couldn’t buy a conversion, going 0-for-7 during a three-game stretch. The defense, which was wreaking havoc to start the year, lost its stinger in November as the sacks and turnovers dried up. And here came the Cowboys, riding a three-game winning streak that included back-to-back victories over the Chiefs and Eagles, last year’s Super Bowl participants.

I had pulled the black suit out of the closet, just in case there was a funeral this weekend. If you listened to my score prediction — as well as that of my co-hosts — on the podcast this week, I was expecting it.

After three years of these types of performances, I should have known better. This team thrives in adverse situations. The collective heartbeat remains steady when urgency is at its highest. When we think they’re bottoming out, in reality, they’re digging deeper.