The Dallas Cowboys are heating up at just the right time - and in December, that’s exactly where you want to be. Winners of three straight, including back-to-back victories over the Eagles and Chiefs in a brutal five-day stretch, the Cowboys have flipped the narrative.
What looked like a daunting stretch a month ago now feels like a statement run. And next up?
A Thursday night showdown with the Detroit Lions that suddenly feels more like a heavyweight clash than a survival test.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t the time for Dallas to ease off the gas. Detroit has established itself as one of the NFC’s most consistent and physical teams in recent seasons.
They’re not just a feel-good story anymore - they’re a legitimate contender. So while the Cowboys are riding high, they’ll need every bit of that momentum, and then some, to handle what the Lions bring to the table.
The good news for Dallas? They’re getting some reinforcements.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs is expected to return against Detroit, barring any setbacks. That’s a big deal.
Diggs, who’s played in six games this season, hasn’t seen the field since Week 6 against Carolina. He was ruled out with a concussion just before the Week 7 matchup with Washington and was later placed on injured reserve.
Now, with his return on the horizon, the Cowboys’ secondary gets a much-needed boost just in time for a game that could have serious playoff implications.
And make no mistake - this game matters. Both teams are coming off Thanksgiving Day games, so the short-week fatigue will be mutual.
Dallas is playing on a Thursday for the second straight week (and for the third time this season), and they’ve got another one coming up on Christmas Day in Washington. It’s a tough stretch, but that’s the nature of the schedule this time of year.
Despite the win streak and recent dominance, the Cowboys once again find themselves labeled underdogs - for the third week in a row. They opened as 3.5-point underdogs against the Eagles.
Then again, 3.5-point dogs against the Chiefs. Now, heading into Detroit, the line sits at the same number: 3.5.
The difference? This time, they’re on the road.
In a way, that’s a sign of respect. Dallas was an underdog at home in those previous two matchups.
Now, even on the road against a top-tier Lions squad, the line hasn’t budged. That says something about how this team is being viewed right now - and how they’ve earned that shift in perception.
The Cowboys have found their rhythm. Dak Prescott is playing some of the most composed football of his career.
CeeDee Lamb continues to be a matchup nightmare. And defensively, with Quinnen Williams, DeMarvion Overshown, and now the potential return of Trevon Diggs, this group is rounding into form.
There’s still a long road ahead, but if the past few weeks are any indication, Dallas is more than ready for it. The Lions will be a test - physical, disciplined, and capable of beating you in a variety of ways.
But the Cowboys aren’t just surviving this stretch of the season. They’re thriving in it.
So buckle up. Thursday night in Detroit is shaping up to be another litmus test for a Dallas team that’s starting to look like a legitimate contender. December football is here, and the Cowboys are in the thick of it.