One thing was confirmed last week, and one was discarded.
The Dallas Cowboys still have trouble winning on the road, while the Miami Dolphins proved they can beat a team with a winning record. Dallas lost in Miami on Sunday, 22-20.
This week, we get to take advantage of that information when the Cowboys host the Detroit Lions on Saturday night. Last week, the Lions continued their breakout season under head coach Dan Campbell with a hardfought road win over their NFC North Division rival, the Minnesota Vikings. That result clinched Detroit their first division title since 1993, and moved the Vikings from in the playoff hunt to on the bubble.
Being in the hunt is much better than being on the bubble.
The Lions advanced their season record to 11-4, they have a pair of losses both on the road and at their home stadium, Ford Field. The Lions still have something to play for this season, they could clinch the National Football Conference top seed with two wins and another San Francisco 49ers loss. The Lions own the tiebreaker over the Philadelphia Eagles, but the 49ers, despite their Christmas night loss to Baltimore, still own the tiebreaker edge versus the Lions.
Winning their first division title in 30 years is a big deal in Detroit; winning the top seed in the conference playoffs is probably out of their reach. And we can confirm that this weekend if they lose in Dallas and the 49ers beat the Washington Commanders.