The current NFC North champions Lions had lost three of their previous five games, dropping to third place in the division behind the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, who will face each other on Sunday.

However, they improved to an 8-5 record to strengthen their playoff chances as the Cowboys — coming into Detroit with three consecutive wins — fell to 6-6-1, reducing their postseason hopes with just a month left in the regular season.

"They are one of the hottest teams in the league right now," Lions quarterback Jared Goff commented on the Cowboys. "Maybe now we can reach that level."

Goff mentioned he noticed an "increase in urgency" among his teammates following their defeat to Green Bay last week.

"It was positive," he stated. "It felt like we returned to our true identity."

Goff completed 25 out of 34 passes for 309 yards and one touchdown — a 12-yard scoring throw to Isaac TeSlaa that extended Detroit’s lead to 27-9 in the third quarter after Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott threw an interception at the start of the second half.

Dallas narrowed the gap to 30-27 with Prescott’s 42-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Flournoy followed by a successful two-point conversion.

But Gibbs's second touchdown restored a 10-point lead, and his third touchdown, a 13-yard run, sealed the game with 2:19 remaining.

Gibbs now has 47 career touchdowns, tying Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns in NFL history by a player before turning 24.

David Montgomery also contributed a 35-yard rushing touchdown, while Detroit’s defense forced three turnovers, including Derrick Barnes's interception of Prescott in the second half.

"They really showed up," said Lions coach Dan Campbell . "The effort was evident all week. It always is, but the intensity and urgency ... the players stay calm and focused. They just get the job done, and they did it once more."

Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey made NFL history by becoming the first player to hit at least three field goals of 55 yards or longer in a single game, kicking field goals of 57, 42, 55, 63, and 29 yards.

However, Dallas failed to score a touchdown in the first half.

Prescott was sacked five times and, under heavy pressure, threw two interceptions.

"Talk about turnovers," Campbell remarked. "We forced three takeaways that turned into 14 points."

The Cowboys also lost wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a concussion during the third quarter.

Lamb jumped to catch a pass from Prescott in the end zone but landed hard on the ground, failing to complete the play.

He was evaluated in the sideline medical tent and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.