David Montgomery needed just one crease. The Dallas Cowboys gave him a runway. Late in the second quarter at Ford Field, Detroit Lions running back Montgomery ripped off a 35-yard touchdown run right up the gut, blowing past the second level and dragging Detroit into a 17-6 lead over the Dallas Cowboys before halftime.

The drive started in plus territory after Detroit’s defense punched the ball out of Jake Ferguson, and safety Brian Branch fell on it near midfield. A few snaps later, Jared Goff and Jameson Williams connected on a deep shot to set up the Lions at the Dallas 35. Then Detroit went back to its identity, downhill, physical, no frills. Out of the shotgun, Montgomery took the handoff, knifed through a crease off center, and was gone, breaking tackles until he crossed

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