Lions’ controversial loss to Cowboys was 286 days ago, but who’s counting?

John Hussey is the referee the NFL assigned to preside over Detroit’s return to Dallas on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. And should the Lions choose to report another tackle as eligible on an attempt to win the game with a last-minute two-point conversion, rest assured, communication with Hussey will be flawless.

The 20-19 loss to the Cowboys in Week 17 last year only cost the Lions a No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. They wound up in the third spot and still came up three points shy of the Super Bowl — a 34-31 loss at San Francisco in a thrilling NFC Championship Game. But forgive Dan Campbell if he’s still carrying a little controlled fury as he returns to his native state.

“Well that never really leaves,” Campbell said Monday following Detroit’s Week 5 bye. “But yeah, I’m excited. I’m excited for this one. And really, look, it’s the next one in front of us. It’s a conference opponent, and they’ve had our number for a while. I grew up down there so I have a lot of people there. I think it’ll be a special game.”

While Campbell is still in Detroit, Dan Quinn has gone from Dallas defensive coordinator to Washington head coach. Mike Zimmer replaced Quinn on the Cowboys’ staff. This week, Campell also described the differences he sees between the Quinn and Zimmer defenses.

“A little less chaotic,” Campbell said. “But more sound, if you will. Just when you’re watching it as an offense. I’m not saying what Dan Quinn did wasn’t sound; that’s not what I’m saying. It’s just when you look at it from an offense, it’s a little more sound and structured.”

Detroit quarterback Jared Goff will attempt to pick apart that sound and structured defense, and in the process, could rewrite NFL history. In the Lions’ last game, a 42-29 win over Seattle in Week 4, Goff became the first player ever with a perfect completion percentage on at least 15 passes. Combining his 18-for-18 effort against the Seahawks and his final attempt in a Week 3 win at Arizona, he enters Sunday with a 19-pass completion streak.

This week, according to the NFL, Goff needs completions over his first seven passes to break the league record shared by four players: Nick Foles (25 in 2018), Marcus Mariota (25 in 2018), Philip Rivers (25 in 2018) and Ryan Tannehill (25 in 2015). And if Goff breaks that record, expect Campbell this time to recognize him after the game.

When Dallas has the ball, Dak Prescott also can extend a historic streak. The Cowboys’ quarterback has reached 250 passing yards in 12 consecutive home games. Should he extend that stretch on Sunday, he would tie Ben Roethlisberger, who reached 250 in 13 straight home games from 2014-16, for the third-longest streak ever. Drew Brees owns the two longest streaks, both 18 games long (2011-14 and 2014-17).

Prescott is 10-2 over that 12-game home stretch, but has lost two in a row. In fact, Dallas is the first team in 14 years to lose its first two home games in a season while winning its first three road trips.