Dallas and Detroit make key injury decisions just before kickoff; Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer isn't interested in looking too far ahead.
The Dallas Cowboys have put themselves in a position that every NFL team wants to be in: in the playoff picture at the beginning of December.
"The first playoff-related goal for any team? Be a 'Contender in December,'' is how our Mike Fisher puts it.
Granted, 6-5-1 Dallas is hanging on by the skin of its teeth, but it has given itself a chance at playoff football thanks to three straight wins.
Not only that, the Philadelphia Eagles have sputtered, losing back-to-back games to drop to 8-4, and if the Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions on Thursday, Schottenheimer's team will only be half a game behind the NFC East leaders.
That effort will be fortified by Dallas' health and by some last-minute roster moves as the team left DFW today.
On Thursday afternoon, the Cowboys elevated defensive end Isaiah Land from the practice squad as insurance for ailing standout Jadeveon Clowney.
And now the inactives are in. A Clowney decision has been made.
He's out, so the Cowboys inactives: WR Jalen Tolbert, RB Jaydon Blue, DE Jadeveon Clowney, OT Tyler Guyton, DT Jay Toia, DT Perrion Winfrey.
Detroit had a similar choice to make with receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. And it's made. He's in.
Meanwhile ...
With so much at stake in the playoff picture and division, does Schottenheimer get caught up in the what ifs down the line, or does he take it one game at a time?
"I'm a game-by-game guy,” Schotty said. “I think it serves you the best because it's such a long season. You have to take each day and each week by themselves. You really focus more on yourself. Our best ability to perform well and win games is based on what we do, not what the opponent does. It's an important part of the process.
“I think that's important that you build into these guys. Hey, we're going to take it one day at a time, one week at a time. And why? Because your focus needs to be where your feet are.”
So, the Cowboys could be forgiven for feeling good about themselves after their recent wins, but with Schottenheimer and Dak Prescott both speaking about not looking ahead, Dallas will be focused on the Lions, not what could potentially transpire later in the month.
But ...
Hey, if Dallas does beat the Lions, the schedule appears to open up in terms of its degree of difficulty, and the Cowboys would likely be favored in all of their remaining games, which is why beating Detroit is so crucial.
And to do that, all the focus has to be on this week, which is precisely where Schotty will have his team's mind as Week 14 comes into view.