Cowboys beat Lions, 24-20, in NFC wild-card game

ARLINGTON, Texas — Quarterback Tony Romo threw two touchdown passes to wide receiver Terrance Williams, the last an 8-yarder with 2:32 left, and the Dallas Cowboys slipped past the Detroit Lions 24-20 Sunday in an NFC wild-card game.

The Cowboys, who outscored Detroit 17-3 in the second half, advanced to the NFC divisional round and will play the Green Bay Packers at 1:05 p.m. EST on Jan. 11 at Lambeau Field.

Dallas (13-4) was able to get the ball back for a game-winning drive on a controversial third-and-1 play with 8 1/2 minutes left in the game and the Lions ahead 20-17.

Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens initially was called for pass interference for faceguarding Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew. Referee Pete Morelli announced the penalty, but moments later he announced — without explanation — that the flag was being picked up.

On the FOX television broadcast, former NFL head of officiating Mike Pereira said Dallas should have been flagged for pass interference. Pereira added that the issue might have stemmed from the officiating crew working together for the first time.

Following the non-call, 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 with 2:32 remaining.

The victory marked the Cowboys’ third in the playoffs in the past 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 Dallas 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.

Romo finished 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 and a touchdown on 19 carries.

Murray’s 1-yard touchdown run drew the Cowboys to within 20-14 late in the third quarter. Dallas kicker Dan Bailey, who had a rare miss in the third quarter, hit an 51-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to slice the deficit to three.

Lions quarterback Matt Stafford completed 28 of 42 passes for 323 yards with a touchdown and interception.

Stafford, from nearby Highland Park, Texas, drove the Lions past midfield on a final drive, but Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence sacked Stafford and ripped the ball loose on a fourth-down play. 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, and Detroit led 14-0 after the first quarter.

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.

Lions kicker Matt Prater hit a 39-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half, boosting Detroit’s lead to 17-7.