The Dallas Cowboys are riding a three-game win streak, but let’s be honest - it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. In fact, if not for some second-half magic and clutch plays down the stretch, this team could just as easily be sitting at 1-2 over that stretch.
The slow starts have been a recurring theme, and they’ve flirted with disaster more than once. But credit where it’s due: this group has shown resilience, composure, and the ability to flip the switch when it matters most.
Take Week 12 against the Eagles. Dallas came out flat, and Philadelphia took full advantage, jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Things got worse early in the second when KaVontae Turpin’s fumble set up another Eagles touchdown, stretching the deficit to 21-0. At that point, it looked like the Cowboys were headed for a long afternoon.
But then something changed. Dallas got on the board before halftime, and from there, the momentum shifted completely.
The defense tightened up, shutting down Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense in the second half. Offensively, the Cowboys found their rhythm.
Dak Prescott settled in, the run game found traction, and the passing attack started connecting. The result?
Seventeen unanswered points and a comeback win that could end up being a turning point in their season.
Fast forward a few days to Thanksgiving, and it was déjà vu all over again. This time it was the Kansas City Chiefs who capitalized early.
Prescott’s early interception turned into a Rashee Rice touchdown, and just like that, Dallas was playing from behind once more. It was the kind of moment that can swing a game - and a season - but the Cowboys didn’t blink.
They regrouped, adjusted, and outplayed the Chiefs the rest of the way.
Still, back-to-back games with sluggish starts are a concern, especially with a physical, playoff-hungry Detroit Lions team coming to town. The Lions aren’t just another opponent - there’s some real edge to this matchup.
Call it rivalry, call it bad blood, whatever you want - these two teams don’t like each other, and it shows every time they meet. Expect a hard-hitting, emotional contest that could come down to the final possession.
For Dallas to keep this win streak alive and push it to four straight, the formula is simple: start fast and stay clean. That means no early turnovers, no blown assignments, and no digging themselves into a hole they have to climb out of. The Cowboys have proven they can respond under pressure - now it’s time to prove they can take control from the opening snap.
This Week 14 showdown carries serious playoff weight. Both teams are in the thick of the postseason race, and a win could go a long way toward locking in a spot.
A loss, though, could be a gut punch - especially in a crowded NFC where every game matters. For the Cowboys, avoiding another sluggish start might not just be important - it could be the difference between playing in January and watching from home.