FRISCO, Texas — Delusion does not exist within the minds of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb or anyone in the ĂŰĚŇTV' locker room and coaching staff. They're not only aware of their 4-5-1 record going into their Week 12 rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles, but also understand the daunting task that lies before them as it relates to their odds of making the playoffs.
They currently have just a 13 percent chance of making the postseason, but that can climb fairly quickly and steadily if they can go on a run from this point forward. That means defeating the Eagles is not optional, but rather this is one of many must-win games that began with their Week 11 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
One false step and, come January, they could find themselves on the outside looking in.
"Technically, we could treat this as if we're in the playoffs, if you want to think of it that way," said the Cowboys' All-Pro receiver. "Win or go home. I feel like that's the situation that we're in. And I feel like that's the right mindset that we gotta have going into every game. So as far as this [schedule] gauntlet, I'm excited for it.
"It should be fun, and I feel like we're gonna do just fine."
On the heels of one major test this weekend lies another, and in short order, when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs head to AT&T Stadium four days later to try and steal one from the Cowboys on Thanksgiving and, seven days later, the latter will find themselves traveling to take on the Lions in Detroit.
"[These next three games], they will be defining," said Prescott, the All-Pro quarterback not mincing words. "I don't think there's any if, ands or buts about it. Knowing where we put ourselves, what we have to do, yeah, after these three games, we'll either have given ourselves a good shot or put ourselves in a hole. I don't think that'll really be a discussion."
But, for now, it's about handling one challenge at a time and taking another step forward on the journey of 1,000 miles.
"Understanding that for us to get into this postseason, what we have to do, and right now, sure, we control it," Prescott added. "That means we have to win every game, and I like what CeeDee said. It's like a playoff game, and whether it's [head coach Brian Schottenheimer saying it's [a 0-0 record], or however you want to think about it, all of these are must-wins. But we've got to take them one at a time.
"And, right now, it's Philly — a hell of an opponent, great division rival. There's no better place to start than right now."
Should the Cowboys and their new-look defense fueled by the addition of Quinnen Williams and the return to action for DeMarvion Overshown take down the Eagles, it will mark Dallas' first two-game win streak of the season, and they can't get to where they want to go without it.
