Inside The Star
Three weeks of ecstasy as a fan came crashing down Thursday night in the Motor City, as the Dallas Cowboys got stomped at the hand of the Lions in a 44-30 defeat.
At the end of the day, fans should still be proud of the team who nobody expected to go 2-1 in the “gauntlet” part of their schedule.
In the span of 17 days, the Cowboys defeated both Super Bowl participants from the 2024 season, and played competitively in a loss to a Lions team that finished the season 15-2 last year.
Winning two out of three in that stretch should have fans ecstatic, but with the margin for error so thin, the loss feels like the Cowboys’ season is over, and it very well could be.
Before moving on to the Minnesota Vikings, here is the good, the bad, and the ugly from the devastating loss in Detroit.
Ryan Flournoy
In a season that may be lost, it is important to start thinking about the future.
If Thursday night is any indication, WR Ryan Flournoy should be part of that future.
Thrust into the WR2 role after CeeDee Lamb was lost to a concussion, Flournoy responded with nine receptions for 115 yards and the recipient of Dak Prescott’s only touchdown pass of the evening.
Should Lamb miss extended time in concussion protocol, the WR2 spot appears to be in good hands with Flournoy. No pun intended.
George Pickens
WR George Pickens has been a blessing to a Cowboys’ offense that has desperately needed a 1b to CeeDee Lamb since Amari Cooper was traded away.
Pickens finally showed us some of the behavior that got him traded out of Pittsburgh, and it came at a time when he was needed most.
Lack of effort is the main culprit, and Pickens’ body language Thursday night at times seemed to suggest he was disinterested in the game.
One such play was a deep ball from Prescott late in the 4th quarter that Pickens either lost in the lights, or he really did just watch it land a few feet in front of him.
Anybody can have an off night, and hopefully we don’t see any more of that moving forward.
DaRon Bland
After an All-Pro season in 2024, Cowboys CB DaRon Bland has been hot and cold in 2025.
Blame it on the scheme. Blame it on the pressure of repeating that All-Pro performance a year later. Blame it on new DC Matt Eberflus.
You can blame whoever and whatever you want, but one thing is for certain: Bland has not been consistently the same player we are used to seeing.
He is often found out of position, and the sure-tackler got both of his ankles broken near the sideline by Jahmyr Gibbs on a critical third down play.
Lack of pass rush might have contributed to his performance, but either way, he has not been the same player.
Linebacker Play
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