By Art Garcia
ARLINGTON, Texas—No lead is safe against the Detroit Lions. The Minnesota Vikings learned that last week and now the Dallas Cowboys do as well.
The Lions rallied from a 27-3 deficit in the third quarter to upend Dallas, 34-30, Sunday afternoon at Cowboys Stadium. The second straight miracle finish gave Detroit its first 4-0 start in 31 years, dating back to 1980.
The Lions were aided in latest their comeback quest by three interceptions by Dallas quarterback Tony Romo in the second half. The first two were returned for touchdowns in the third quarter, with the final pick setting up Calvin Johnson's go-ahead touchdown catch with 1:39 left.
Dallas (2-2) had one last desperate attempt, but turned the ball over with four seconds left after running back Felix Jones caught a pass and ran out of bounds on fourth down short of the first down. The final play summed up a bumbling second half of errors for the Cowboys.
After being bottled up for much of the game, Lions quarterback Matt Stafford finished with 240 yards passing and Johnson caught eight balls for 96 yards and two scores. The Cowboys lost despite outgaining Detroit in total yardage 434-303.
The Lions pulled within a touchdown for the first time since 7-0 less than two minutes into the fourth when Johnson out-jumped two Dallas defensive backs on a 23-yard pass from Stafford. Detroit was down 30-24 despite that being their first offensive touchdown.
The Lions had a chance to take the lead in final period after taking over on the Dallas 47-yard line with 7:36 left following a punt. Stafford has his team on the move before costly penalties derailed the drive. Jason Hanson did drill a 51-yard field goal to cut Dallas' lead to 30-27 with 4:22 left.
Detroit linebacker Bobby Carpenter and cornerback Chris Houston began the rally, returning Romo interceptions on consecutive Dallas possessions for scorer. The Lions now had life down 27-17 despite not being able to mount much of an offensive threat.
The Cowboys piled up 13 points in the second quarter on a Dez Bryant's second touchdown grab and two field goals from rookie Dan Bailey, including a 35-yarder on the last play of the first half for a 20-3 lead going into the locker room.
The Lions stormed back from a 20-point halftime deficit the previous week at Minnesota, but this comeback was even more improbable considering Dallas' first-half domination and the beginning of the third quarter. The Cowboys received the second half kickoff and marched down the field, taking a 27-3 on Romo's 1-yard pass to Jason Witten.
Dallas had two short fields to work with in the first quarter thanks to its ever-improving defense, but was able to cash in only once. A stuffed fourth-and-goal from the 1 stood in the way of a 14-0 lead.
The Lions' first drive ended abruptly when Cowboys safety Gerald Sensabaugh picked off a Stafford throw intended for Johnson, setting Dallas up on its own 45. The Cowboys went 55 yards in just six plays, scoring on Romo's perfectly lofted ball to Bryant from 25 yards out on third-and-half.
Detroit punted on its next possession and Dallas took over at midfield. Another methodical drive ended a yard short when Lions linebacker Ashlee Palmer stopped Jones for no gain on fourth down.
GAME NOTES: Lions LB Justin Durant (concussion) was out and replaced in the starting lineup by former Cowboys first-round pick Bobby Carpenter. Also out for Detroit: WR Rashied Davis (foot), DT Nick Fairley (foot) and T Jason Fox (foot). … The Cowboys were without WR Miles Austin (hamstring), G Derrick Dockery (knee), K David Buehler (groin), CB Orlando Scandrick (ankle) and DE Jason Hatcher (calf). … Dallas WR Dez Bryant started despite not practicing all well.
