Terrance Williams scores the game-winning touchdown in the Cowboys' comeback win over the Lions. (Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)
ARLINGTON, Texas — Quarterback Tony Romo threw two touchdown passes to wide receiver Terrance Williams, the last an 8-yarder with 2:32 left, that sent the Dallas Cowboys past the Detroit Lions, 24-20 NFC Wild Card victory.
The Cowboys (13-4), who outscored Detroit 17-3 in the second half, advanced to the NFC Divisional round and will play Green Bay at 1:05 EST on Jan. 11 at Lambeau Field.
Dallas was able to get the ball back for a game-winning drive on a controversial 3rd-and-1 play in the fourth quarter with the Lions ahead 20-17. Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens was called for pass interference for faceguarding Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew, but officials quickly picked up the flag without explanation. The Lions kept their offense on the field but ultimately punted after failing to draw the Cowboys offside. Detroit’s punt went just 10 yards.
Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy was called for defensive holding on a third down in the red zone and the Cowboys grabbed their first lead on Williams’ second touchdown reception of the game.
The victory marked the Cowboys’ third in the playoffs in the last 19 years. Their last was a wild-card victory in 2009.
In winning, the Cowboys denied Detroit (11-6) its first playoff victory in more than 20 years and a first postseason win on the road in 57 years. Detroit defeated the Cowboys in the divisional round in 1991.
The Lions forced a punt on the opening drive of the game and built a 14-0 lead before the end of the first quarter. But Dallas would roar back to outscore the Lions 17-3 in the second half.
Romo was 19 for 31 for 293 yards for the Cowboys, who managed to win without running back DeMarco Murray at his best. The Lions’ top-ranked rush defense held the NFL’s top rusher in 2014 to 75 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.
Murray’s 1-yard touchdown run drew the Cowboys to within six, 20-14 late in the third quarter. Kicker Dan Bailey, who had a rare miss in the third quarter, hit an attempt in the fourth quarter to further slice the Cowboys’ deficit.
Lions quarterback Matt Stafford was 28 for 42 for 323 yards with a touchdown and interception.
Stafford, from nearby Highland Park, drove the Lions past midfield on a final drive, but Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence sacked Stafford and ripped the ball loose on the final play for Detroit. It was redemption for Lawrence, who recovered a fumble but then lost the ball to give the Lions the ball back earlier in the game-clinching drive.
On Detroit’s first possession, Stafford found wide receiver Golden Tate over the middle for a 51-yard catch-and-run.
Running back Reggie Bush’s 18-yard scoring run with 1:57 left in the first quarter capped a 14-play drive covering 99 yards over more than seven minutes.
Romo’s 76-yard touchdown pass to Williams was the Cowboys’ lone offensive highlight in a first half in which the team could muster only 156 yards, including 30 rushing yards.
NOTES: Lions rookie G Travis Swanson was helped from the field in the first quarter of Sunday’s NFC Wild Card game at Dallas. Swanson was treated for a knee injury on the sideline and was taken to the locker room for further evaluation, where it was determined he would not return. Swanson started at right guard with Larry Warford (ankle) inactive. … Lions CB Rashean Mathis left the game with a quadriceps injury. … Cowboys ILB Rolando McClain was also taken to the locker room to be treated for dehydration and did not return. McClain did not travel with the team to Washington for the Week 17 game last week because of an illness. … LB Bruce Carter (back) also left the game for the Cowboys. His status is uncertain.
