FRISCO, Texas – The 2025 offseason is upon us, with plenty of looming decisions ahead for the Dallas Cowboys following a 7-10 finish in the regular season.
Three months down, two to go in our five-part series recapping each month of the 2024 season. December was a roller coaster of a month that saw some compelling victories and heartbreaking losses.
Here's a refresh of how the month played out:
December:
- Dec. 9 – Bengals 27, Cowboys 20
- Dec. 15 – Cowboys 30, Panthers 14
- Dec. 22 – Cowboys 26, Buccaneers 24
- Dec. 29 – Eagles 41, Cowboys 7
Biggest takeaway: CeeDee Lamb's toughness and heart couldn't be questioned ever again. Lamb had been playing with an AC sprain in his shoulder since Week 9, and was still going out and producing at a high level through the most pain he's had in his career. He'd end up not playing against the Eagles and in the season finale against Washington, but still registered 314 receiving yards and two touchdowns in December even while taking shots constantly to his injured shoulder.
Something to remember: The Cowboys' Sunday Night Football victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hours before kickoff, Dallas had been officially eliminated from the playoffs after the Commanders beat the Eagles on a late touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels to Jamison Crowder. Despite the weight of knowing their season would end after Week 18, Dallas came out playing like everything was still on the table and pulled out a 26-24 win, which would also push Tampa Bay out of controlling their destiny in the NFC South.
Something to forget: The closing minutes of Dallas' Week 14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cowboys defense continued their strong night of limiting the Bengals high-powered offense as much as they could, with Marist Liufau getting a sack on Joe Burrow to bring up fourth and 27 at the two-minute warning. On the punt, Amani Oruwariye tried to control the ball bouncing right at him and proceeded to muff and fumble it, with the Bengals falling on top of the loose ball. Three plays later, Ja'Marr Chase scored a 40-yard touchdown to put the game on ice for the Bengals.
Employee of the month:
Nick Eatman: Fully healthy from a mid-season ankle injury, Micah Parsons was wrecking games in December. He recorded two sacks in Carolina, and another against the Bucs but his best game might have been against the Bengals when he didn't have a sack, but tied a season-high with 11 pressures. He might not have sacked Joe Burrow, but he harassed him all night, showing just how dynamic he can be off the edge.
Patrik Walker: It's time for Rico Dowdle to get a nod here. Not only did he finish the season as the only undrafted player in Cowboys' history to surpass the 1,000-yard rushing mark, and with only 15 starts and beginning the year as part of a committee approach, but his December featured three 100-yard rushing games — one teetering on 150 yards on the ground. He finished the season, and possibly (due to free agency) his career with the Cowboys with a bang.
Tommy Yarrish: I'll go with Brandon Aubrey, who was money as usual for a majority of the month. The only two misses he had were both from 50+, but against the Buccaneers he hit three 50+ yarders including two from 58 yards that would prove to be crucial in a two-point victory. Additionally, he was perfect from 49 and in made all of his extra points just as he did all season long.
