Quinnen Williams hasn’t been in Dallas long, but you wouldn’t know it by the way he’s already become a key piece of the Cowboys’ defensive resurgence. The midseason trade-deadline addition has brought a steady, disruptive presence to the interior line-and while he’s quick to credit the talent around him, there’s no denying his impact.
Since his arrival, Dallas has rattled off three straight wins, turning what looked like a lost season into a legitimate playoff push. And yes, the Eagles are officially looking over their shoulders.
Just a few weeks ago, the idea of the Cowboys making the postseason felt like wishful thinking. They limped into their bye week at 3-5-1, fresh off a Monday night loss to Arizona that had fans and analysts alike questioning the direction of the team. But something clicked during that break-on both sides of the ball-and the Cowboys haven’t looked back since.
The turnaround has been especially dramatic on defense. Over a brutal five-day stretch, Dallas took down both the Eagles and Chiefs-two of the NFL’s most potent offenses.
That’s not a fluke. That’s a team finding its identity at the right time.
And the schedule ahead? It’s no cakewalk, but it’s full of opportunity.
The Cowboys head to Detroit for a Thursday night showdown with a Lions team also fighting for a playoff spot. After that, they return home for matchups against the Vikings and Chargers, before closing the season with division road games against the Commanders and Giants.
Every game matters now, and Dallas is playing like a team that knows it.
Part of what’s fueling the surge is health. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and rookie corner Shavon Revel Jr. are finally back in the mix after missing the first half of the season, and their presence has added speed and versatility to a defense that was leaking big plays earlier in the year.
And there could be more help on the way. Star corner Trevon Diggs revealed that the concussion which kept him sidelined stemmed from an at-home accident-not a football hit-and he says he feels better now than he did at the start of the season. He’s eyeing a potential return against Detroit, and if that happens, Dallas gets another elite playmaker just as the playoff race hits full throttle.
This is no longer the defense that was getting torched in September. It’s faster, deeper, and more confident.
And with the NFC East still allergic to repeat champions-and the Eagles showing signs of sputtering-Dallas isn’t just lurking in the wild-card race. They’re making noise in the division, and they’re doing it with a defense that suddenly looks like it can hang with anyone.
The Cowboys are heating up at the right time. And if this version of the defense sticks around, they’re going to be a problem for anyone standing in their way.