Cowboys need win over Jags to reassert contender status

After nearly losing to the Texans, 27-23, in Week 14, Dallas faces claims that it resembles pyrite rather than the Lombardi Trophy's silver gleam. 

"It feels like a team that will run into the San Francisco 49ers again and go home. It feels like a team that will run into the Philadelphia Eagles again and go home," said Richard Sherman, a Super Bowl champion, Monday on his podcast. 

Unlike Dallas, The Eagles and 49ers looked elite in Week 14. 

Philadelphia became the first team to clinch a playoff spot with its 48-22 victory over the Giants. San Francisco destroyed Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, 35-7, with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy making his first career start. 

Dallas, who needed a miraculous 98-yard drive to avoid a disaster against the league's worst team, must seal its holes or its playoff picture will crater. 

A win against the Jaguars reestablishes confidence, especially if the Cowboys stop Trevor Lawerence.

The second-year quarterback earned AFC Offensive Player of The Week honors after he threw three touchdowns in a Week 14 upset over the Titans.  

Stopping the rising star should be Dallas' focal point, and it's something the Cowboys can do. Through 13 games, Dallas is second in sacks (48.0).

Also, the Cowboys are 4-1 in their last five games, so they're still a favorite. Per ESPN's analytics, they have a 72.5 percent chance to win on Sunday.

Seizing a dominant victory and early playoff spot would show they deserve the NFC's second-best Super Bowl odds, per Oddschecker, proving they stand on the same level as San Francisco and Philadelphia, not one below them.