The Dallas Cowboys ended their five-game losing streak with a win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon.

Now at 4-7, Dallas stands as one of the more hopeful teams with that record.

Although they remain far from playoff contention, the victory has shifted the mood ahead of their Week 13 clash with the New York Giants. During their skid, the Cowboys appeared to be teetering toward tanking, burdened by injuries and poor performances.

However, their dramatic division win may have turned a corner, a sentiment echoed by COO Stephen Jones on Monday.

“Absolutely not,” Jones said when asked about mixed feelings over the win. “We’ve been clear that we’re focused on winning football games right now.

The priority is to play the people who give us the best chance to succeed.” For that to happen consistently, Dallas must first get healthier, with players like Trevon Diggs, Tyler Smith, and Zack Martin key to their efforts.

The Cowboys also need to display the hallmarks of a winning team. Costly errors plagued them in losses to the Eagles and Texans, and early miscues against the Commanders nearly derailed their effort.

A more capable opponent could have turned those mistakes into another Dallas defeat. The Cowboys have yet to deliver a full, disciplined 60-minute performance, and their current roster might lack the tools to achieve that.

Still, they must move closer to that standard to stay competitive. With leaders like Micah Parsons expressing a clear desire to win, Dallas has the drive, but it’s up to the team to capitalize on the next six weeks and build on their momentum.