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Cowboys refuse to fold after tough loss to Lions, say setback will fuel stronger playoff push

Despite falling to 6-6-1 and watching their postseason odds drop to 8 percent, Dallas insists the locker room is motivated, not defeated.

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Cowboys Not Deflated After Loss to Lions, Say Team Is Motivated for Playoff Push
Dak Prescott says Cowboys are motivated, not deflated, after 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions.

For the past several weeks, the Dallas Cowboys have balanced the emotional weight of losing a teammate with the renewed hope of a playoff push. On Thursday night, that momentum stalled.
Their 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field was their first defeat in over a month and their first since the tragic passing of Marshawn Kneeland. The setback not only ended their winning streak but made their path to the postseason significantly harder.

The Cowboys now sit at 6-6-1, and according to ESPN Analytics, their playoff chances have plummeted to 8 percent. Yet inside the locker room, defeat is not the prevailing emotion.


Dak Prescott: “We’re not deflated. We’re pissed.”

Quarterback Dak Prescott made it clear that the team has no intention of giving up, despite the odds.

Prescott said:
“I think guys are pissed off right now. I don’t think it’s a deflated moment like, oh, hands are up, we’re done. Absolutely not. We’re going to use this the right way, as fuel.”

He emphasized that this version of the Cowboys has reshaped itself since the bye week and has not yet faced adversity of this magnitude. The focus, he insisted, will be on a disciplined week of preparation for their next matchup.

Cowboys Not Deflated After Loss to Lions, Say Team Is Motivated for Playoff Push

A loss that exposed multiple issues

The Cowboys’ performance was hampered by several problems:

  • They lost the turnover battle 3-0, including two interceptions and a fumble that Detroit converted into 14 points.
  • They averaged just 3.8 yards per rush, with Prescott recording the longest run of the night at 12 yards.
  • They allowed four rushing touchdowns, three of them scored by Jahmyr Gibbs.
  • Prescott was under heavy pressure, being pressured 20 times, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and sacked five times.
  • Costly offensive pass interference penalties further stalled momentum.

Even after losing star receiver CeeDee Lamb to a concussion in the third quarter, the Cowboys twice pulled within one score in the final period. But both times, the defense allowed Lions touchdowns immediately afterward.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said the team failed in the key areas they emphasized going into the matchup.
“We needed to take care of the football and win the trenches. We didn’t do that,” he said.
Still, he praised the players for battling through a grueling schedule of four games in 18 days.


The playoff picture becomes more complicated

The loss leaves the Cowboys vulnerable in tiebreaker scenarios. They would lose head-to-head comparisons with the Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, and Detroit Lions.

Their remaining opponents offer mixed challenges:

  • Minnesota Vikings (Dec. 14)
  • Los Angeles Chargers (Dec. 21)
  • Washington Commanders (Dec. 25)
  • New York Giants (Jan. 3 or 4)

Three of those teams have losing records, but the margin for error has vanished.

Prescott admitted that the Cowboys no longer control their own playoff destiny.
“Being 6-6-1 right now with four left, we’re going to need some things to happen for us,” he said.
But he insisted that the team can still fight their way into contention if they focus on preparation, pride, and consistent effort.


A season defined by adversity continues

The emotional toll of losing Marshawn Kneeland, combined with a compressed schedule and rising playoff pressure, has challenged the Cowboys in every possible way. Yet the message from both Prescott and Schottenheimer is clear:
Dallas will not quit.

The Cowboys may need help from other teams to sneak into the postseason, but they are determined to make every remaining game count.

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In Roob’s Stats Bonus Edition Eagles’ Defense Delivers One of the Most Dominant Performances in Franchise History

Eagles snap three-game skid by shutting out Raiders 31–0 as defense posts historic, record-setting numbers

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Eagles defenders celebrate after completing a historic 31–0 shutout of the Raiders
Eagles defenders celebrate after completing a historic 31–0 shutout of the Raiders

Every now and then, the Philadelphia Eagles produce a performance so extraordinary that the numbers deserve more than the usual weekly breakdown. This week, it wasn’t a quarterback, a running back, or a single star stealing the spotlight. It was the defense — all 11 men, snap after snap.

In Sunday’s emphatic 31–0 shutout of the Las Vegas Raiders, the Eagles defense authored one of the most dominant performances in franchise history, snapping a three-game losing streak and rewriting sections of the team record book in the process. This special Roob’s Stats Bonus Edition is devoted entirely to what that unit accomplished.

75 total yards — a near-historic low

The Raiders managed just 75 total yards, the eighth-fewest ever allowed by the Eagles in their 93-year history and the fewest in 70 years. The last time Philadelphia surrendered fewer yards was in 1955, when the Chicago Cardinals were held to just 49 yards.

That total also ranks as the 10th-fewest yards gained by any NFL team since 1992. For the Raiders, it was their second-lowest yardage output ever, and their worst since 1961. The Eagles limited Las Vegas to 1.8 yards per play, the lowest by the franchise in 33 years.

Eagles defenders celebrate after completing a historic 31–0 shutout of the Raiders


Largest Eagles shutout in decades

The 31-point margin marked the Eagles’ largest shutout win in 44 years, dating back to a 38–0 victory in 1981. It was Philadelphia’s 42nd shutout all-time but only their second ever at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Raiders also joined rare company, becoming just the third team in the last 25 years to lose two shutouts by 30 or more points in the same season.

Passing game erased

Las Vegas finished with just 29 net passing yards — the fewest the Eagles have allowed in 24 years. Quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 64 yards but lost 35 yards on sacks, producing one of the most suffocating passing performances Philadelphia has ever forced.

Pickett’s total is the fewest passing yards against the Eagles on 25 or more attempts since 1978.

Eagles defense on a historic three-game run

Over their last three games, the Eagles have allowed just 279 combined net passing yards, their lowest three-game total in 48 years. The last time they matched that figure came in 1977.

Even more impressively, opposing quarterbacks in those three games completed just 51 percent or fewer of their passes — something the Eagles hadn’t done in a three-game span since 1959.

Quarterbacks completely neutralized

The last three quarterbacks to face Philadelphia posted passer ratings below 60:

  • Caleb Williams – 56.9
  • Justin Herbert – 59.6
  • Kenny Pickett – 47.9

That marks just the second time in 25 years the Eagles have held three straight quarterbacks under that threshold. The last occurrence came during the 2017 Super Bowl season.

Rare dominance against run and pass

Sunday marked the first time in 34 years that the Eagles held an opponent to fewer than 50 rushing yards and fewer than 50 passing yards in the same game. The Raiders finished with 46 rushing yards and 29 net passing yards.

The only other time it happened since 1955 was in 1991, when the Eagles sacked Troy Aikman 11 times.

Eagles defenders celebrate after completing a historic 31–0 shutout of the Raiders


First downs nearly nonexistent

Las Vegas recorded just seven first downs, the fewest against the Eagles in 32 years and tied for the third-fewest since 1950. Only twice in the last 75 years has a team managed fewer than seven first downs against Philadelphia.

Passing efficiency shut down

The Raiders averaged exactly 1.0 yard per pass attempt — just 36 inches per play. That’s the fourth-lowest yards per pass play the Eagles have ever allowed and the lowest since 2001.

League rankings jump dramatically

Thanks to Sunday’s performance, the Eagles jumped:

  • From 22nd to 15th in total defense
  • From 18th to 11th in pass defense
  • From 26th to 23rd in run defense

Sustained excellence over the last two months

Philadelphia has allowed just 12 touchdowns in its last eight games, the fewest since the final eight games of the 2001 season. They’ve also surrendered only eight passing touchdowns in their last 10 games, matching a franchise low not seen in over two decades.

Perhaps most remarkably, the Eagles allowed just 3.1 yards per play over the last two games combined — the best two-game defensive stretch on record for the franchise.

This wasn’t just a good defensive performance. It was one that belongs in Eagles history — and one that could redefine their identity heading into the final stretch of the season.

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Patrick Mahomes Suffers ACL Tear as Chiefs Miss Playoffs, Broncos Beat Packers and Bills Ignite AFC East Race

NFL Week 15 Sunday review sees season-altering injuries, dramatic comebacks and major playoff implications across the league

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Patrick Mahomes reacts after suffering a season-ending knee injury during NFL Week 15
Patrick Mahomes reacts after suffering a season-ending knee injury during NFL Week 15

The 2025 NFL regular season has been defined by chaos, unpredictability and shocking twists — and Week 15 Sunday delivered all of that and more. From a devastating injury to one of the league’s biggest superstars to playoff races tightening across conferences, Sunday’s action reshaped the postseason picture in dramatic fashion.

Patrick Mahomes tears ACL as Chiefs’ era hits pause

The biggest storyline of the weekend came in Kansas City, where the Kansas City Chiefs were officially eliminated from playoff contention following a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The defeat, however, paled in comparison to the devastating sight in the fourth quarter when Patrick Mahomes went down clutching his left knee. The three-time Super Bowl champion was tackled near the sideline by Da’Shawn Hand while throwing the ball away, immediately collapsing in visible pain.

Postgame tests confirmed fears — Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid admitted after the game that “it didn’t look good,” and the franchise later confirmed the injury via an official statement, adding that surgical options are being explored.

Patrick Mahomes reacts after suffering a season-ending knee injury during NFL Week 15


Mahomes addressed fans on X, writing that the injury “hurts,” but promised a return, thanking Chiefs Kingdom for their support.

Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew briefly gave Kansas City hope, completing three straight passes late, but an underthrown attempt to Travis Kelce was intercepted by Derwin James Jr., sealing the loss and ending the Chiefs’ playoff hopes.

The defeat snapped a remarkable 10-year playoff streak for Kansas City — a stretch that included seven straight AFC Championship appearances, five Super Bowl trips and three Lombardi Trophies. The focus now shifts entirely to Mahomes’ recovery, with ACL rehabs typically lasting six to nine months.

Micah Parsons injury mars Packers loss to Broncos

Another major injury rocked Sunday Night Football as Micah Parsons went down in the Green Bay Packers’ 34-26 loss to the Denver Broncos. The star pass rusher suffered a non-contact knee injury while chasing Bo Nix late in the third quarter.

According to Ian Rapoport, Parsons is feared to have torn his ACL, though the Packers have not officially confirmed the diagnosis. Head coach Matt LaFleur offered little optimism, saying simply, “It didn’t look good.”

The loss dropped Green Bay behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North race, while Denver surged to its 11th straight win, clinching a playoff spot and improving to 12-2, the best record in the AFC.

Second-year quarterback Bo Nix delivered a breakout performance, throwing for 302 yards and four touchdowns. The turning point came when Patrick Surtain II, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, intercepted Jordan Love, sparking a momentum shift that Denver never relinquished.

“We kept saying finish,” Surtain said afterward, as the Broncos closed the game with two fourth-quarter touchdowns at Empower Field.

Bills rally stuns Patriots, tightens AFC East

In one of the most dramatic games of the day, the Buffalo Bills erased a 21-0 deficit to defeat the New England Patriots 35-31, preventing New England from clinching the AFC East.

Josh Allen led the charge, throwing for 193 yards and three touchdowns, including two to tight end Dawson Knox, while adding 48 rushing yards. James Cook was electric, recording 107 rushing yards, two rushing scores and a receiving touchdown.

Patrick Mahomes reacts after suffering a season-ending knee injury during NFL Week 15


Buffalo’s comeback began after the Patriots raced ahead with two rushing touchdowns from Drake Maye and a 52-yard run by rookie TreVeyon Henderson. From that point on, the Bills outscored New England 35-10.

The Patriots still had a chance late, but a fourth-and-5 attempt ended when Joey Bosa batted down Maye’s pass, sealing the Bills’ comeback.

The win pulls Buffalo within one game of New England in the division standings and keeps the AFC East race wide open heading into the final weeks.

Week 15 reshapes the NFL landscape

Week 15 may ultimately be remembered as one of the most consequential Sundays of the season. A Mahomes injury signals uncertainty in Kansas City, Denver looks like a legitimate AFC powerhouse, Green Bay faces a major defensive setback, and Buffalo refuses to let the AFC East slip away quietly.

As the regular season enters its final stretch, Sunday’s results made one thing clear — in 2025, nothing in the NFL is guaranteed.

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Vikings’ JJ McCarthy Throws for Two Scores, Runs for One to Crush Cowboys’ Playoff Hopes

Minnesota edges Dallas 34–26 at AT&T Stadium as Jalen Nailor hauls in two touchdowns and Cowboys’ slim postseason chances fade

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Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy celebrates after throwing one of his two touchdown passes against the Cowboys
Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy celebrates after throwing one of his two touchdown passes against the Cowboys

The Minnesota Vikings may already be out of the playoff picture, but they delivered a devastating blow to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. Rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy accounted for three total touchdowns as Minnesota stunned Dallas 34–26 at AT&T Stadium, pushing the Cowboys’ already fragile playoff hopes to the brink.

With the loss, Dallas slipped to 6-7-1, while Minnesota improved to 6-8. Though the Cowboys are not mathematically eliminated, their postseason path has narrowed to a near impossibility after failing to capitalize at home in a must-win scenario.

Rough start, strong finish for JJ McCarthy

The night began shakily for McCarthy. On his very first pass attempt, Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson tipped the ball at the line of scrimmage, allowing Quinnen Williams to intercept it. The turnover immediately set Dallas up with excellent field position.

Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy celebrates after throwing one of his two touchdown passes against the Cowboys


Quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense capitalized, though it took time. After an 11-play, 35-yard drive—extended by a bold fake field goal run by kicker Brandon AubreyJavonte Williams punched in a one-yard touchdown to give Dallas a 7–0 lead.

Minnesota settled in on its third drive. A key 18-yard catch by Aaron Jones, combined with a 15-yard horse-collar penalty, flipped field position. On the very next play, McCarthy delivered a strike to Jalen Nailor for a touchdown, tying the game at 7–7.

Offensive fireworks before halftime

The second quarter saw both offenses find rhythm. Dallas regained the lead with Malik Davis scoring from a yard out, but McCarthy answered with confidence. After guiding a 75-yard drive, the rookie executed a flawless fake handoff at the goal line and walked in untouched for a rushing touchdown.

Kicking miscues also became a storyline. Aubrey, typically one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers, missed a rare 51-yard attempt—his third miss of the season from beyond 50 yards. Minnesota’s Will Reichard converted his chance, but Aubrey redeemed himself before halftime. Both teams entered the break with 17 points apiece.

Second-half swing favors Minnesota

Dallas appeared to take control early in the second half. Two more field goals from Aubrey gave the Cowboys a 23–17 lead, but those missed touchdowns loomed large.

McCarthy made Dallas pay. A deep completion to Nailor moved the Vikings into the red zone. While Justin Jefferson was heavily targeted but kept out of the end zone, C.J. Ham powered in from a yard out to give Minnesota a 24–23 advantage.

Prescott attempted to respond, but the Cowboys stalled near midfield. From 59 yards, Aubrey missed again—his fourth miss of the year, all from 50-plus yards. The miss proved costly.

Nailor seals it, Cowboys fade

With momentum firmly on their side, the Vikings drove deep into Dallas territory once more. On first-and-goal from the four-yard line, McCarthy found Jalen Nailor for his second receiving touchdown of the night, extending Minnesota’s lead to 31–23.

Dallas’ next possession ended on downs, and Minnesota leaned on Aaron Jones, who picked up multiple first downs to drain the clock and force Dallas to burn all of its timeouts. The Vikings closed out the game, leaving the Cowboys searching for answers.

Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy celebrates after throwing one of his two touchdown passes against the Cowboys


By the numbers

McCarthy finished 15-of-24 for 250 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception, while adding a rushing score. A 58-yard catch by Jordan Addison highlighted McCarthy’s ability to stretch the field.

For Dallas, Dak Prescott went 23-of-38 for 294 yards but failed to throw a touchdown pass. CeeDee Lamb led all receivers with 111 yards on six catches, while George Pickens was held in check for the second straight week, catching just three passes for 33 yards.

As the season winds down, the Cowboys now face long odds to keep their playoff hopes alive, while McCarthy’s poised performance continues to offer optimism for Minnesota’s future—even in a lost season.

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