2023 NFL Power Rankings: Dallas Cowboys

Biggest offseason contract to watch: QB Dak Prescott

The Cowboys have several contract situations to solve in the offseason, but the biggest is Prescott's deal. He is set to count $59.4 million against the salary cap as he enters the final year of his deal. The Cowboys have said they want to sign him to a long-term deal, and they don't have the leverage of using the franchise tag in 2025. While they want to get long-term deals done with CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons as well, getting their quarterback locked up after his best season is a must and will be costly. But Jerry and Stephen Jones look at it as the cost of doing business when it comes to that position. -- Todd Archer

They largely played a good game against the Lions, which was important to see, even if it came down to a controversial penalty on Detroit's late two-point conversation. The Cowboys didn't look quite as invulnerable at home as they have for most games at AT&T Stadium over the past few years, letting things start to slip away late on Saturday. The tables certainly turned the following day with the Eagles' loss to the Cardinals, which suddenly made Dallas the massive favorite to clinch the NFC East title in Week 18. Setting aside Philly's loss, this win was significant for the Cowboys, who otherwise would have extended a losing streak.

They needed some controversial help late to beat the Lions, but they did it. With the Eagles losing, they need to beat Washington to lock up the No. 2 seed.

Did they really win Saturday? Regardless, this is a team capable of doing serious damage in the postseason ... if it plays at AT&T Stadium.

The lesson: Throw the ball to your best players

Dallas has lost only once this season when CeeDee Lamb gets more than 10 targets in a game. Lamb averaged seven targets and 5.7 catches per game through Week 6, and the Cowboys were 4-2. Since then, he has averaged 12.6 targets and 8.8 catches per game, and Dallas is 7-3 in that span. Saturday night, he had a career-high 227 yards on 13 catches against the Lions.

It's a shame the officiating controversy is going to overshadow phenomenal performances from Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, who carried the Dallas offense on an inconsistent night. Dallas finished the year 8-0 at home, which only emphasizes how big it'd be to win in Washington this week and guarantee themselves a home playoff game.

The officiating controversy on Saturday night has massive ramifications. If the referee acknowledged Taylor Decker reporting as eligible and the Lions still get that 2-point conversion (that's no sure thing if the Cowboys knew Decker was eligible), then the Cowboys aren't looking at an NFC East title simply by beating the Commanders in the finale. Considering how much better the Cowboys are at home, it's not outrageous to wonder if that report/didn't report fiasco ultimately ends up changing who wins the Super Bowl.

Their path to the NFC Championship game could be clearer than it's been in years.

Tweets by @EDSFootball