FRISCO, Texas — An early holiday gift was given to the Dallas Cowboys when the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime. That means despite their loss to the Detroit Lions, the Cowboys are just 1.5 games back of the Eagles for the NFC East lead, and with four games left to play.
What they can't count on is the Eagles continuing to fumble away their playoff hopes. It's not impossible, but it is improbable, and it wouldn't matter anyway unless Dallas can win every remaining game, and that challenge begins with the Minnesota Vikings visiting for a primetime showdown on Sunday.
It's a game the Cowboys can literally not afford to lose.
WHEN AND WHERE:
Date: Sunday, Dec. 14
Time: 7:20 p.m. CT
Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
The Vikings are hot off of a 31-0 obliteration of the Washington Commanders and that means J.J. McCarthy might be entering this contest with some confidence the Cowboys' defensive line will need to beat out of him. And seeing as the strength of the Vikings is their defense, that's where the game will be won or lost.
Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb were terrorizing the Lions before the latter was ruled out with a concussion, and the offense stalled mightily thereafter. George Pickens has heard all of the noise this week, as his social media post so eloquently admitted, and he'll need to have a bounceback game against a very talented defensive unit coordinated by Brian Flores.
And that is especially true seeing as it's unknown, as of Friday, if Lamb will be cleared from concussion protocol. The Cowboys' offensive line will also need to get back to form against a monstrous defensive line from Minnesota, or it'll be a long day for Prescott.
Win and stay alive, or lose and start packing your fishing gear, Dallas.
TV/RADIO/MOBILE:
How to watch: NBC Sports (national), NBC 5 DFW (Local)
Listen (National): Compass Media - Kevin Ray (play-by-play), Steve Beuerlein (analyst)Listen (National): Westwood One Radio - Ryan Radtke (play-by-play), Mike Golic (analyst)Listen (Local): KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan in Dallas/Fort Worth
Listen (Spanish): KVMK-FM 107.5 La Grande in Dallas/Fort Worth
Follow on Mobile: Dallas Cowboys App
PREGAME LIVE: 6 p.m. CT on Dallas Cowboys Media
Watch the Cowboys official pregame show LIVE from The Star in Frisco. Former Cowboys Isaiah Stanback, Barry Church, and Nate Newton join Kyle Youmans and other DallasCowboys.com personalities for a complete breakdown of this week's matchup.
BROADCAST CREW::
TV: Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), Melissa Stark (sideline)
Radio (English): Brad Sham, Babe Laufenberg, Kristi Scales
Radio (Spanish): Victor Villalba (play-by-play), Luis Perez (analyst), Carlos Nava (sideline)
There are still limited tickets available to attend the next home game in-person at AT&T Stadium - click here for the opportunity to see the primetime game live and in-person.
With Spec's lower prices on a stadium-sized selection of world-class wines, spirits, ice-cold beers and gourmet foods you can streamline your pregame playbook to a one-stop shop for all your game day essentials!
As the Official Partner of the Dallas Cowboys, Spec's knows Texas football is serious business!
Find your local Spec's location here: https://specsonline.com/
