The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys had a controversial finish in their matchup last season, and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is now addressing it.
On Sunday, October 13, the Detroit Lions return to Texas for a highly anticipated road game against the Cowboys. Prescott and his team had a shaky start to the season at 1-2, but they’ve bounced back with two consecutive wins over the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meanwhile, the Lions come into the game with a strong 3-1 record, with their only loss coming against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This matchup carries extra tension due to the controversy surrounding their last meeting. In that game, there was debate over whether Lions left tackle Taylor Decker had properly reported as eligible to catch a pass during a two-point conversion attempt with 23 seconds left. Decker caught the ball in the end zone, but the officials ruled it illegal touching, nullifying the score.
Prescott vividly recalls that moment and says he’s eager to face the Lions’ intensity this Sunday.
Dak Prescott: ‘We’re Going to Get This Win’
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, October 10, Prescott expressed confidence heading into the game against Detroit.
“We’ve got a bye week coming up, so we’re going to get this win and then enjoy the break,” Prescott stated. “We’ll handle everything else afterward.”
He also referenced the disputed call at the end of last season’s matchup.
“There was a missed flag on us before that play that went the wrong way,” Prescott said. “I expect them to come out with the same energy. We’re familiar with this defense, having played them in recent seasons.”
‘It’s a Grudge Match’
The rematch between the Lions and Cowboys has garnered attention from many, including Cowboys’ official writers. In an October 11 article, Cowboys staff writer Patrik Walker described the game as a “grudge match of the highest order, especially from the perspective of a Lions team that felt slighted by the officiating crew in their narrow one-point loss in Arlington.”
“It’s a revamped Detroit team that likely views this game as a grudge match, taking into account the history of the series (remember Anthony Hitchens),” Walker continued. “Jared Goff has an arsenal of weapons the Cowboys’ depleted offense will need to contain.
DaRon Bland’s expected return will help slow them down, but stopping them? That’s a tall order. I’m looking for Dak Prescott and the offense to finally get in gear in this must-win HOME game against a suspect Lions’ secondary. It’ll be a bit of a shootout, and the Lions leave heartbroken again.”
Walker predicts a Cowboys win, 30-27
Another Cowboys writer, Tommy Yarrish, weighed in, noting, “The Cowboys have won six straight against the Lions since 2015, but I think the 2024 Detroit team is the best version Dallas has faced in that stretch.”
Yarrish sees the Lions coming out on top, 27-24.
