Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tony Gutierrez/AP/Shutterstock (13488843ak) Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, in Arlington, Texas Lions Cowboys Football, Arlington, United States – 23 Oct 2022
LION TAMERS: 5 observations from the Cowboys’ win over Detroit
The Dallas Cowboys (5-2) struggled with the Detroit Lions (1-5) for most of the afternoon before finally putting the game away, 24-6, with two late-game touchdowns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Cowboys falter in pass blocking
The Cowboys struggled all afternoon with the Lions’ 32nd ranked defense, giving up two sacks and allowing the Lions to pressure quarterback Dak Prescott all afternoon in their win on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
Right tackle Terence Steele was regularly beaten off the edge, giving up both sacks to Aiden Hutchinson. That 3-and-out set the tone for a day filled with struggles for Steele and the rest of the Cowboys offensive line.
Prescott struggles
Despite the return of Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ offense struggled to get going.
Prescott finished with 207 yards passing on 19 completions that included a late touchdown pass, as the Lions defensive front continually harassed the Cowboys’ signal caller.
Prescott was inaccurate most of the game, regularly throwing behind open receivers, as well as throwing into triple coverage on multiple occasions.
Prescott, who completed passes to six different players, was sacked two times, but was able to do just enough to lead the Cowboys to the win.
Turpin Time
Cowboys kick returner KaVontae Turpin helped the Cowboys offense get on track in the second half against the Lions with a 52-yard punt return to flip the field.
After taking their first lead of the game, the Cowboys defense forced a Detroit punt that Turpin fielded at the Dallas 7 before roasting the Lions’ coverage unit.
Turpin finished with a 33-yard average on two punt returns on Sunday.
Second half awakening
After rushing for just 52 yards in the first half, the Cowboys’ running game came to life early in the third quarter.
After a Trevon Diggs interception to start the second half, the Cowboys used the the 1-2 punch of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard to chew up 54 of the 82 yards they traveled to score their first touchdown of the game – a 1-yard run by Elliott.
Elliott added his second rushing TD of the game with just under three minutes to play in regulation to push the Cowboys to the brink of victory.
Elliott finished the game with 57 yards on 15 carries, while Pollard finished with a complimentary 83 yards on 12 carries, including a long run of 28 yards.
Turnovers key to victory
The Cowboys defense didn’t play their best game, but they did enough to push the Cowboys to the victory on Sunday afternoon.
Despite allowing the Lions 312 yards of total offense, the Cowboys defense turned them over five times.
Trevon Diggs and Jourdan Lewis both intercepted Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff, while Demarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong and Sam Williams both came up with second half fumble recoveries.
Williams and Armstrong both came up with recoveries late in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory for Dallas.