The Detroit Lions have taken a 17-7 lead into the break against the Dallas Cowboys in their wildcard round playoff clash this evening.
The Cowboys were halted on their first possession of the game, and the Lions used their defensive stand to power ahead in the match as Matt Stafford evaded the pass-rush and fired deep for Golden Tate. The receiver made his defender miss a tackle and juked another to run in for a 51-yard score.
Dallas failed to muster any points on offense in reply, but a punt from Chris Jones landed inside the half-yard marker, backing the Lions up on their own goal line.
The home side looked to have forced a three and out, but a penalty against Dekoda Watson on the punt allowed the Lions another set of downs.
Detroit took full advantage as Stafford moved his team seamlessly downfield before handing the ball off to Reggie Bush, who ran over the left side of the line, evading several defenders to find the endzone for an 18-yard touchdown.
However, the Cowboys responded as Terrance Williams went from zero to hero in two plays. First he was called for an offensive pass interference penalty, but on the next play he hauled in a strike for a 76-yard touchdown.
The Lions had time to drive downfield just before the break as Stafford moved his team into field-goal range, and Matt Prater converted a 39-yard kick to hand his side a 10-point lead at AT&T Stadium.
