Dallas is still breathing in the NFC playoff race, but injuries are piling up. The Cowboys face a healthier Vikings squad with zero margin for error.
The Dallas Cowboys are still alive - barely. After a short week and a humbling 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions, it looked like Dallas' postseason hopes were officially dead.
Then Monday night happened.
The Eagles' loss to the Chargers cracked the door back open, giving the Cowboys a narrow lifeline as they head into Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings.
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Now the math is simple and brutal. Win out, or pack it up.
Dallas benefits from extra preparation after playing on Thursday in Week 14, but that advantage may be neutralized by a growing injury list.
Meanwhile, Minnesota enters Sunday relatively healthy, creating a steep challenge for a Cowboys team already playing with little margin for error.
The biggest concern remains the offensive line.
Tyler Guyton will miss his third straight game with a high ankle sprain, forcing Nate Thomas back into the starting role. That experiment went poorly against Detroit, where Thomas was repeatedly exposed.
Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad blew past him for three sacks, a performance that put Dak Prescott under constant pressure and derailed the offense.
There is at least some good news.
CeeDee Lamb has been cleared from concussion protocol and is expected to play, restoring Dallas' most dangerous weapon. On defense, Jadeveon Clowney is trending toward a return after missing Week 14 with a hamstring injury, a much-needed boost for a pass rush that struggled to disrupt Jared Goff.
Still, the Cowboys aren't out of the woods.
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Trevon Diggs remains questionable with a knee issue, and Jake Ferguson is also questionable after dealing with a calf injury.
Minnesota's injury report is light by comparison. Running back Ty Chandler is questionable, but the biggest name to watch is left tackle Christian Darrisaw. He's dealing with knee soreness after returning from a torn ACL and MCL last season, though he's managed to play in 10 games this year.
For Dallas, excuses are gone. The path is narrow, the roster is banged up, and the stakes couldn’t be clearer.
If the Cowboys want to keep December meaningful, Sunday against the Vikings has to be the start of a four-game sprint ... or the season ends quietly, exactly how it looked last Thursday night.