Cowboys BREAKING: 2 Dolphins: Stars - Raheem Mostert and Jalen Waddle - Exit with Freak Injuries - LOOK
The Dallas Cowboys finished up their week of work at The Star before they went east to play the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Christmas Eve. This matchup is highlighted by potent quarterbacks in Dak Prescott and Tua Tagovailoa leading two teams hoping to find positive momentum for the postseason.
But right now, with Dallas up 7-3 in the early going? Not one but two Miami stars have exited the game with freak injuries.
Raheem Mostert got landed on by his own teammate on a red zone run and went to the locker room. ...
Oh, and Jalen Waddle, on the very next play, apparently got poked in the eye and he too left the game.
With a win, Miami would clinch a playoff berth for the second straight season and be the first time Miami won 11 games in a season since 2008.
The Dallas defense needs a major turnaround from last week, when it surrendered 266 yards on the ground in a 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Slowing down MVP candidate Tagovailoa will not be easy. At home this season, the Dolphins lead the league in total offense (448.9) and rushing offense (163.7). … oh, and Tyreek Hill (ankle) is questionable … so look for him to play.
Meanwhile, Dallas’ Tyron Smith (back) is doubtful. Look for him to miss, with Chuma Edoga starting at left tackle.
Tagovailoa powers one the NFL's most explosive offenses, led by Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert.
An early Cowboys lead is key to victory in Miami ... This season, Dallas is 9-1 when leading at halftime and 1-3 when trailing at the break. The Cowboys are also averaging a league-high 18.6 points in the first half this season.
CeeDee Lamb is on record watch. With nine receptions, Lamb (103) will pass Michael Irvin (111 in 1995) for the single-season franchise record in receptions.
Dallas is 11-1 in games following a loss since 2021, a .917 win percentage that leads the NFL during that time. This big question however, can the Cowboys get the win on the road? Over the course of the last two seasons, they are 7-8 away from home.
Strangely enough, both the Cowboys and Dolphins have just one win against a team with a .500 or better record.
Thanks to a dramatic Philadelphia Eagles loss on Monday Night Football, the Cowboys remain in first place in the NFC East with three games remaining.
Tua Tagovailoa
FUN FACT: Lamb is the first player in Cowboys history to record 100-or-more catches in multiple seasons. Lamb is currently is second in the NFL with 103 receptions in 2023. He had 107 receptions last season.
RECORDS: Dallas Cowboys (10-4) at Miami Dolphins (10-4)
ODDS: Dallas is a 1.5-point underdog vs. the Dolphins
GAME TIME: Sunday, December 24th, 2023 at 3:25 p.m. CT
LOCATION: Hard Rock Stadium - Miami, Florida
TV/RADIO: FOX, 105.3 The FAN
THE FINAL WORD: "It was marvelous!" Jerry Jones said of the Seattle Seahawks' late comeback during his weekly radio show on 105.3 The Fan. "I watched every bit of it. I thought I was about to doze off, but then when (Seattle) made those two exciting plays I couldn’t sleep until four in the morning because of the impact it can have in our year."
