The Detroit Lions went out and absolutely dominated the Dallas Cowboys in every single facet of the game and walked out of Dallas with a 47-9 win. Here's our 10 biggest takeaways.
But at what cost?
The Lions more than likely just lost the best defensive player in the game right now for the season. It's an extremely hard thing to watch. It sucks when anyone gets hurt, but watching the best player on your defense going down is just as bad as it possibly can be. Here's hoping that we're all freaking out for nothing, but with the air cast going on, it doesn't look good.
Goff Report
It's not at all hyperbole to say that Jared Goff has been one of the best, if not the best quarterback in the league in the last four weeks. After having a perfect game in Week 4, he went out an had another banger against the Cowboys and went
Timothy Mychael Patrick
What a catch for Patrick on this play. 45-yards with two guys on him. It wasn't easy, but he made it work. Patrick had the biggest game of his career in quite some time. In 2020 he looked like the next big thing. He looked like that guy again in Dallas on Sunday. Patrick finished the day with three catches for 68 yards.
Lions sent a message to the NFL on the first play of the game
At the end of the the first half the Lions set up in every single way they set up their should be game winning two point conversion against the Cowboys. They reported and everything. Then they ran in a touchdown. It was hilarious.
The NFL's insistence on not letting an offensive lineman score in Dallas seems like it's done on purpose
The Lions tried to get an offensive lineman into the end zone multiple times on Sunday and the officials called them all back. It's like the Lions wanted to mess with them and the officials decided to mess with them back. Seemed purposeful.
Branch giveth and Branch taketh and then taketh some more
Kerby Joseph had a pick in the first quarter, but it was taken away when Branch got called for holding. He gave the Cowboys another chance. Then he decided to take away a chance on the next drive when he picked off Dak Prescott in the end zone. I feel like there isn't a player that corrects his mistakes faster than Branch. You have to love it.
He wasn't done though, he got a peanut punch in the second half and forced a fumble.
Then Branch got another interception in the fourth quarter and nearly took it to the house. A big game for Branch for sure. Maybe that's the secret with him. Mess up early and then make up for the mistake by being amazing.
Hey! There's LaPorta
Lions fans have been waiting for LaPorta to have a big game or a big moment this year. I know I've been hoping for help on my fantasy team too. LaPorta got a big one Sunday when Ben Johnson, while laughing manically, called a double flea flicker for a 52-yard touchdown.
The Lions may have just got Mike McCarthy fired
Anytime you start the season as badly as the Cowboys have and then get torn apart at home on Jerry's birthday, I don't know if that's something that you can recover from.
Hooker time
Hendon Hooker got to make his NFL debut on Sunday after the Lions handled the Cowboys so thoroughly. We didn't see a ton of him. The Lions mostly just ran the clock out. He did have a really nice throw to Kalif Raymond though.
We have not seen the last of Ukwu, we might have with Houston though
We didn't get to see Ukwu get home in this game, but it sure looked like he was getting pressure all day. Anytime you looked at #45 out there, it seemed like he was beating his man. James Houston, who was a healthy scratch on Sunday might get another shot with Hutchinson out, but things aren't looking good for him right now.