A slow first half had fans sitting on their hands, but things have picked up in the third quarter in Arlington. After an exchange of punts backed the Cowboys inside their five, a holding call on Leonard Davis while Jon Kitna was in the endzone handed the Lions two points.
The Lions did nothing with the ensuing drive and punted. Nick Harris nearly pinned Dallas inside their five for the third time, but after a Lions player touched the ball, Bryan McCann picked up the ball and ran 97 yards for a touchdown. It was McCann’s second huge heads-up play in two weeks, as he won a Defensive Player Of The Week aware last week for reading a slant and returning an interception of Eli Manning 101 yards to turn the momentum in Jason Garrett’s first game as head coach.
Sean Lee forced a Jerome Felton on the ensuing kickoff, and Jason Hatcher recovered, setting up Dallas at the Lions 19. Tashard Choice’s first three offensive touches moved Dallas to the 3, where Kitna hit Miles Austin for the score to put Dallas ahead 21-12.
The Lions weren’t done themselves, as Shaun Hill hit Nate Burleson for 58 yards, down to the Dallas 12. After a two-yard loss, Hill connected with Calvin Johnson to narrow the score to 21-19.
Felix Jones’ hip x-rays were negative, and the back returned to the game for a pair of carries, as Dallas used several short passes to move inside the Lions’ 20 as the third quarter came to an end.
Dallas has not won at home this year. Their last home win came against the Eagles in the wild-card round of last season’s playoffs.