Domination: Lions dispatch Cowboys, 47-9, but lose key player

ARLINGTON, Texas — Over the last decade, the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium has been a house of horrors for the Detroit Lions.

Even in a 38-point victory, that remained true on Sunday.

The Lions snapped a six-game losing streak against the Cowboys and avenged last year's controversial loss, but it came at the expense of Lions edge rusher and Defensive Player of the Year front-runner Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a gruesome leg injury during the second half of a 47-9 Lions win.

Hutchinson, who led the NFL in sacks (6.5) and pressures (40) entering Sunday, despite already encountering the bye week, was carted off on a stretcher after sacking Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the third quarter. Hutchinson appeared to suffer the injury when his leg came in contact with teammate Alim McNeill; he was writhing in pain for several minutes before exiting the game.

Moments later, another friendly-fire collision knocked starting cornerback Carlton Davis out of the game for Detroit (4-1). Davis' helmet popped off while making a tackle, exposing him to a kick to the head from teammate and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez. Davis left the game and was being evaluated pursuant to concussion protocol.

The season-altering injuries spoiled what was a festive atmosphere on the Detroit sideline as the Lions' offense dominated and the defense feasted on five turnovers.

After the Lions made it a 47-9 game with 13:18 left in the game on a 4-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown, chants of "Ja-red Goff" took over the Cowboys' home stadium. The 38-point loss is tied for the fifth-largest margin of defeat in Cowboys history.

Entering Sunday, the Lions had lost six consecutive games against the Cowboys (3-3), beginning with a controversial playoff loss in Dallas in the 2014 NFC wild-card round.

After last year’s officiating snafu, where a go-ahead Lions score by left tackle Taylor Decker was overturned for an ineligible man downfield, the Lions did their best to rub Dallas' nose in the revenge game by calling several plays to get their offensive tackles a touchdown. The one to Decker fell incomplete and a hook-and-lateral to Penei Sewell — he was ruled down short of the goal line — was called back after center Frank Ragnow got upfield too quickly.

Goff was 18-for-25 passing for 315 yards and running back David Montgomery — who was handed a two-year contract extension on Saturday night — had 12 carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta each added touchdowns for Detroit, with LaPorta's coming on a 52-yard, double-reverse flea-flicker at 11:39 in the second quarter.

Lions safety Brian Branch had a monster game, hauling in two interceptions and recovering a fumble. After Branch's second interception, which was nearly returned for a pick-six, both teams pulled a majority of their starters.

A one-play drive with eight seconds left at the end of the first half notwithstanding, the Lions scored on nine consecutive possessions to open the game.

The Lions defense gave up large chunks on the opening drive, including a 27-yard catch by Lamb, but tightened the screws in the red zone to force a 34-yard Cowboys field goal after Hutchinson forced Prescott into a throwaway on third down.

On the Lions' first offensive snap, offensive tackle Dan Skipper — one of the central figures of last year's controversial 20-19 Dallas win — reported as eligible, bringing a smattering of cheers and boos from the fans in attendance.

It didn't take Detroit long to find the end zone: Shortly after Goff connected with Tim Patrick for a 45-yard completion on third down, Montgomery rumbled his way into the end zone from 16 yards out to set a franchise record with touchdowns in eight consecutive games and give the Lions a 7-3 lead at 9:13 in the first quarter.

The Cowboys reached the red zone again on their second drive but couldn't capitalize on the opportunity as Lions safety Brian Branch made a great read to undercut a throw from Prescott and haul it in for an interception. Detroit turned it into points on the ensuing drive, when Jake Bates made a career-long 40-yard field goal.

Detroit took a two-score lead at 11:39 of the second quarter when a double-reverse pass landed in the hands of Sam LaPorta for a 52-yard touchdown that put the Lions up, 17-3, at 11:39 in the second quarter. The ball went from Goff to Montgomery to St. Brown and back to Goff, who loaded up for a perfect throw to extend the lead.

After the Lions forced a second consecutive three-and-out on defense, Bates topped his career-long with a 48-yarder that gave the Lions a 20-3 lead with 4:01 remaining in the first half.

The Cowboys got desperate near the end of the second quarter and went for it on fourth-and-2 from their own 38, but failed the conversion, when Lions rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold swatted away a quick throw to KaVontae Turpin to secure a turnover on downs.

The Lions added a field goal on the ensuing possession to make it 27-3 with 36 seconds left, but the Cowboys got it back when Turpin returned the kickoff 79 yards to set up a 47-yard field goal for Brandon Aubrey.

Detroit continued offensive excellence out of half and made it a 34-6 game on a 37-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams, but on the following defensive series, Hutchinson and Lions cornerback Carlton Davis suffered injuries, bringing the joyful outburst to a screeching halt.

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