The Dallas Cowboys are riding high, and for good reason. After stringing together three straight wins, they’ve gone from midseason question mark to a team very much in the thick of the NFC playoff race. It’s a turnaround that’s not just timely - it’s impressive.
Let’s be clear: there’s still plenty of work ahead. But sitting just a game and a half behind the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys are suddenly right back in the division conversation - a scenario that felt like a longshot just a few weeks ago.
Momentum is a powerful thing in the NFL, and Dallas has it in spades right now. The latest bump in the power rankings - climbing to No. 16 after Week 13 - reflects that surge.
And it’s not just about the win column. The Cowboys are starting to look like a team that knows who it is and how it wants to play.
They’re coming off arguably the most electric five-day stretch of their season, knocking off both of last February’s Super Bowl participants. That’s not just a confidence booster - that’s a statement. And it’s one that’s resonating around the league.
There’s still some debate swirling around the Micah Parsons trade - and understandably so. Moves like that don’t come without scrutiny.
But if there was any doubt about the front office’s ability to pivot quickly, the acquisition of Quinnen Williams is silencing critics. Williams has been a force up front, anchoring a defense that’s rediscovered its edge since the bye week.
The Cowboys have rattled off three straight wins since that break, and it’s not just the results - it’s how they’re winning. There’s a sense of purpose, a renewed physicality, and a defense that’s starting to dictate terms again. When Dallas plays with that kind of swagger, they’re a different team.
Now comes a major test: a road trip to Detroit. And while the Lions have been one of the NFC’s toughest outs this season, the timing might just favor Dallas. The Cowboys are hot, confident, and suddenly looking like a team that believes it can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
Still, let’s not get too far ahead. The path to the playoffs is there, but it’s not a layup.
Yes, the schedule after Detroit softens up a bit, but nothing’s guaranteed in December football. That’s why Thursday’s matchup looms so large.
Beat the Lions, and Dallas moves to 7-5-1 - just half a game back of the Eagles. At that point, the conversation shifts.
Winning the division, once a pipe dream, becomes a very real possibility. And with it, the clearest path to the postseason.
So while the playoff buzz is building in Dallas, the focus remains on what’s next. And what’s next is a heavyweight clash in Detroit that could redefine the Cowboys’ season.