The Dallas Cowboys are heading into a high-stakes Sunday night showdown against the Minnesota Vikings, and make no mistake-this one matters. After a deflating road loss to the Detroit Lions last week, the Cowboys are looking to get back on track and keep their playoff push alive.
That loss stung, especially coming on the heels of statement wins over both the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. Momentum was building, and then-boom-Detroit slammed the brakes.
But there’s some good news out of Dallas this week, and it’s a big one: CeeDee Lamb is back.
After leaving the game against the Lions with an injury, there were real questions about whether the Cowboys’ top wideout would be available for this week’s matchup. On Thursday, those concerns were eased when Lamb was listed as a full participant in practice. That’s a strong indication he’ll be ready to go Sunday night.
And that’s huge-not just for Dak Prescott, but for the Cowboys’ offense as a whole. Lamb and George Pickens have developed into one of the most dangerous receiving tandems in the league this season.
They’ve been stretching defenses, opening up the field, and giving Prescott the kind of weapons that allow him to operate at a Pro Bowl level. When those three are clicking, Dallas can hang with just about anyone.
Prescott, for his part, has been steady and sharp, keeping this team in the playoff hunt with efficient play and smart decision-making. His chemistry with Lamb has been a major driver of the Cowboys’ offensive success, and getting that connection back on the field this week is a major boost.
On the other side, the Vikings come into this game already on the outside looking in when it comes to the NFC playoff picture. While they’re not mathematically eliminated, their postseason hopes are all but gone. That doesn’t mean Dallas can take them lightly-this is still a team with talent and pride, and they’d love nothing more than to play spoiler in prime time.
For the Cowboys, the stakes are clear. With the Eagles slipping up on Monday night against the Chargers, the door has cracked open a bit in the NFC East. A win on Sunday night would not only keep Dallas in the playoff mix-it could give them a real shot to make a move in the division.
Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET in Dallas. The lights will be bright, the stakes will be high, and with CeeDee Lamb back in the fold, the Cowboys are hoping to put last week behind them and take a step forward when it matters most.