How ‘bout them Cowboys? Dallas fans had an extra reason to be thankful as the Cowboys delivered a huge win over the Chiefs for Thanksgiving. After a miserable start to the season, America’s Team is turning things around and suddenly looks like a legitimate playoff contender.
It’s been a while since Cowboys fans have had reason to celebrate. The team’s last Super Bowl came 30 years ago, with Dallas managing just a handful of playoff wins since then. Understandably, the fans have been growing impatient and have become increasingly frustrated with team owner Jerry Jones.
While the Cowboys were on track for another lost season, it appears the team has managed to get back on track. Dallas has now won three straight, improving their record to 6-5-1 on the season. The turnaround has vaulted them back into playoff contention in a competitive NFC, making them a popular dark horse pick to win the Super Bowl.
But how did we get here? How did the Cowboys go from one of the worst teams in the league to where they sit now? From key signings to blockbuster trades, there have been a number of factors driving this recent resurgence. Let’s dive right in and find out what’s happening in Big D.
A Start Nobody Wanted
Before the 2025 season had even kicked off, the Cowboys were dealt a massive blow when Jerry Jones shipped off LB Micah Parsons to the Packers just days before the opener. To say that the fan base was upset would be an understatement. People were calling for Jones’ head, saying it was the worst trade in Cowboys history and threatening to boycott the team.
They started the season in unimpressive fashion, compiling a 1-2-1 record through the opening four weeks. While the team was still dangerous on offence, their defence looked like Swiss cheese and had given up a staggering 33 points per game over that stretch.
Dallas was already being written off after just four games. The narrative surrounding the team was quickly shifting to that “same old Cowboys” story that fans have been muttering for years.
The Chaos Before the Climb
Following an impressive performance in a Week 4 tie against the Packers, Dallas dominated the Jets for just their second win of the season. While they had to endure a three-game stretch without star WR CeeDee Lamb, QB Dak Prescott looked sharp and the run game, led by RB Javonte Williams, appeared rejuvenated.
Cowboys fans began to have hope, only for the team to put up a dud the following week in a loss to the Panthers. This up-and-down trend continued over the next few games, with Dallas beating the Commanders in Week 7 before dropping their next two matchups versus the Broncos and Raiders.
Plagued by inconsistency, the Cowboys were going nowhere fast. They had the offensive firepower to put up points on any team in the league, but it takes more than that to win in the NFL. When your defence can’t get a stop, stacking wins is going to be difficult.
Dallas Finds Its Spark
For all the criticism he receives, you have to give credit to Jerry Jones for helping this year’s squad turn things around. Recognizing the potential of his team, Jones has made some key moves to improve the roster and get their season back on track.
It started just a few weeks into the campaign, when it had already become clear that this roster needed more help. The addition of free agent DE Jadeveon Clowney gave Dallas another pass rusher to fill the void left in Micah Parsons’ absence. He may no longer be playing at an All-Pro level, but the former first-overall pick provides Dallas with a veteran leader who knows how to get to the quarterback.
It also helped that offseason acquisition WR George Pickens has been one of the game’s top offensive weapons this year. Coming over in a trade with the Steelers, his strong play allowed Dallas to get through Lamb’s injury with ease. He currently ranks second in NFL receiving yards (1,142) and third in receiving TDs (8).
Yet the big catalyst came right at the trade deadline, as the Cowboys made headlines by trading for one of the league’s premier defensive tackles, Quinnen Williams from the Jets. Williams didn’t come cheap, with Dallas having to give up a first- and second-round pick, as well as DT Mazi Smith. While it cost them considerable draft stock, this move has made a huge difference for Dallas’ defence.
From Afterthought to Contender
The Cowboys are now 3-0 since their Week 10 bye, and look like a team on a mission. Their Week 11 win over the Raiders could be written off as an easy matchup against a terrible opponent, but Dallas followed that up with back-to-back wins over the Eagles and Chiefs.
They’ll face another tough opponent in the Lions next week, but after that, the remainder of their schedule looks extremely winnable. With matchups against the Vikings, Chargers, Commanders and Giants, this team could easily reach 10 wins and qualify for the postseason. And with the way they’re playing right now, there’s no telling how far this year’s Cowboys team can go.
Odds makers have the Dallas Cowboys at +6000 to win the Super Bowl, but you can be sure those odds will continue to fall with every win the team piles on. If you’re looking to back an underdog to win it all this year, Dallas offers tons of betting value based on how good they’ve looked over the past few weeks.
So, could this be the year that the Cowboys return to glory and Jerry Jones earns his long-awaited fourth Super Bowl title? The fans have heard this story before, but something about this latest turnaround feels different. The pieces appear to be coming into place, and now it’s up to Dallas to put it all together and finally get the job done.