Dak Prescott sends warning to NFL about how Cowboys will respond after loss to Lions

Earlier in the week, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones acknowledged that his team's "best shot" to qualify for the playoffs was "to win the division." 

The odds of Dallas accomplishing that goal dipped after the club suffered a 44-30 loss at the Detroit Lions on Thursday night that dropped the Cowboys' record to 6-6-1. Following the game, quarterback Dak Prescott sent somewhat of a warning to Dallas' remaining four regular-season opponents regarding how the Cowboys will respond to this disappointing result. 

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"I think guys are p----- off right now," Prescott said, per Todd Archer of ESPN. "I don't think it's any deflated moment like, oh, hands are up, we're done. No. No. Absolutely not. I think you're going to get a team that's p-----, especially as we talk about a team that's kind of changed since the bye week. This is the first time this group, to an extent, suffered this. So hopefully it p----- people off the right way, we use it as fuel, and I know, starting with myself, I'll make sure we have a great week of prep for the next one."

The Cowboys' defense had been a strength during a three-game winning streak following the club's acquisitions of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson ahead of the trade deadline. That unit surrendered four rushing touchdowns on Thursday night, three of which were scored by Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs. 

Gibbs also contributed seven receptions for 77 yards. Meanwhile, Detroit's Jared Goff passed for 309 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.

"I got to watch the film but, as a defense, man, we are way better than [allowing] 44 points," Williams said after the defeat, according to Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' website. "Man, we've got a great defense. We've got a great defensive line, and we've gotta do our job to the best of our ability, and execute, to the best of our ability, and just make more plays — especially in this D-line room. We've got the ability to do it."

Dak Prescott admits harsh truth about Cowboys' pursuit of playoff berth 

The 8-4 Philadelphia Eagles lead the NFC East and received a bit of breathing room regarding the battle for the division title on Thursday. Philadelphia next plays at the 8-4 Los Angeles Chargers this coming Monday night. 

Meanwhile, the ESPN Football Power Index showed that the Cowboys had just a 7.6% chance to make the playoffs as of Friday morning. 

"Being 6-6-1 right now with [four] left now, yeah, I'm pretty sure, especially with just the way some of the divisions are shaped, the North, the West, we're going to need some things to happen for us," Prescott added. "I don't think it's in our control at this point. But what we can control is the way that we approach the game. I think that's just about pride and love you have for this game, teammates, the organization, having an opportunity to play this game. That will be my message to the players, and I think if we do that, we'll still give ourselves a chance."

Dallas hosts the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15. The 4-8 Vikings will face the 3-9 Washington Commanders at Minnesota's U.S. Bank Stadium this coming Sunday.