The Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) are always in the pressure cooker, just based on the brand they have built and who their owner is, but they have faced an inordinate amount of adversity this year. The Micah Parsons trade thrust the franchise under unrelenting scrutiny and left the team with a massive hole to fill on the defensive line. Core players missed several weeks due to injuries, forcing first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer to get creative. Despite the ridicule and hardship, this group has managed to grow stronger as the campaign has progressed.

But Thursday's 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions (8-5) was a devastating blow to the Cowboys' playoff chances. They are now in 10th place in the NFC standings, needing to pass the Carolina Panthers, Lions and San Francisco 49ers in ord

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