It was huge. The 31-23 win over Washington

represents another important step by the Dallas Cowboys in turning around what looked just three games ago like a lost season. It has literally been a tale of two halves as they now have a three game winning streak after going 3-5 in the first eight games Tony Romo Jersey , and for the first time are over .500 at 6-5. They now are atop the NFC East and clearly in the playoff picture.But the biggest challenge of the latter part of the schedule faces them with the 10-1 New Orleans Saints coming to town for Thursday Night Football. So what can we hope for? Hope is the operative word, since expectations for the Cowboys are at times hard to pin down with so many things having changed. However, here are some trends that may give us some clues.The Cooper effect just kicked into overdriveDespite some ludicrous comments from Terry Bradshaw, Amari Cooper is having a simply invaluable impact since arriving in Dallas. This was his breakout for the Cowboys, and it is certainly arguable that the win might not have happened without him. Most importantly, that 90-yard touchdown adds a whole new dimension to the offense that had been sorely missing. The catch was deep (21 air yards) and to the middle of the field, where Dak Prescott has done basically nothing all season. Now opposing defenses have to worry about something that they have been basically ignoring. That is a very big deal.With Cooper’s help, Dak is playing at a higher levelBefore Cooper arrived, Prescott’s highest completion percentage on the year was 66.2. Since then, his lowest has been 67.7, with 71.1 on Thanksgiving. He also had his highest passer rating of the season at 121.6. Oh, and his highest passing yards of the season with 289. More importantly, after throwing four interceptions in those first seven games, he has only had one since. He also has five touchdown passes, plus has rushed for three TDs in the last four games after only having scored with his legs one time prior.Prescott is still inconsistent, especially against a stout pass rush like Washington’s. After the nearly flawless opening drive touchdown, he was unable to do much at all the rest of the first half. But Cooper was a big boost to his game, with the two scores on back-to-back drives, and then he added his impressive touchdown run.There is little question that the chemistry between Dak and Coop is very, very good. If it continues, the season is going to be fun down the stretch.We are seeing vintage ZekeThanks to Cooper’s huge night, Ezekiel Elliott didn’t have to carry the load by himself. But he certainly did his part, having his third big game in a row. His 143 yards from scrimmage and 16-yard touchdown run were major factors in this win. He is playing his best ball of the year, and that is always a great thing.The O line is meeting adversity head on, and winningThings looked grim when Cameron Fleming started the game in place of Tyron Smith, who is still feeling the effects of his stinger. With the fierce pass rush Washington brings Jamize Olawale Color Rush Jersey , it could have spelled disaster. It almost did, as Prescott was sacked four times in the first half, contributing greatly to the offensive struggles after the opening drive. But things settled down, and Prescott would not be sacked again (with some great plays avoiding sacks with his athleticism). And they kept opening holes for Elliott for the most part, although the failure on fourth and one was disappointing.And things would get even worse, as Fleming left the game with his own injury. But Connor Williams filled in, and the line still managed to function. The impact of Marc Colombo (feat. Hudson Houck) has been major.The defense has lapses, but makes the plays when it has to.Some of the commentary on social media was definitely of the glass-half-empty variety, focusing on the 53-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Reed, how Colt McCoy moved his team all to easily at times, and those ten points Washington scored in the fourth quarter to make it a one possession game. But the defense also notched three interceptions, sacked McCoy three times, and in an under-reported stat, held Adrian Peterson to only 35 yards rushing. Those interceptions were not capitalized on well by the offense, only one leading to a touchdown. But the other two snuffed out real scoring threats and helped preserve the win. There was also a forced fumble on the sack by Jaylon Smith that Washington managed to recover. The defense may not be the elite unit that many claim it is, but it has a certain big-play aspect that has been important in the three-game winning streak. Getting crucial stops is effective. It is also something they will need against the Saints.Special teams have a problemNow for some bad news. Two of the Washington touchdowns were set up by big returns surrendered by the special teams. One was a 30-yard punt return, and the other was the 44-yard kickoff return after the Cowboys were assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct after the Zeke and Dak kettle celebration. Those fueled the comeback attempt by McCoy and company. At least Chris Jones had a good day punting, averaging 47.8 yards, and Brett Maher didn’t miss any of his FGs or PATs, though he came close.The inconsistency is too consistentThis is the thing that has to be fixed. At times, this team clicks and can do some impressive things. But they keep falling back into bad stretches with too many mistakes. The Cowboys, for once, got some real help from the officials with obvious penalties that were missed and one really questionable holding call on Washington. They can’t rely on that, and they certainly have to find a way to not have the dangerous lapses they still do.And the task next week is a lot greater. Washington played with their backup quarterback and an offensive line that was even more patchwork than Dallas had. On the other hand, the Cowboys have often stumbled facing such situations, and this time they managed to do enough to overcome them. Mistakes like the ones that allowed Washington to make the game as close as it was at the end will not be so easy to overcome against Drew Brees and company. The positive trends need to continue https://www.dallascowboysfanshop.com/Byron-Jones-Jersey , and the brakes must be slammed on the bad ones. How that goes will determine if Dallas makes the playoffs or not. The Dallas Cowboys are seven point underdogs heading into their big game against the red-hot New Orleans Saints. Last weekend, we mentioned how if the Cowboys pulled off the win against the Saints, the month of December would have a different feel. A win against the Saints would have the league on notice that this Cowboys team is a group to be reckoned with. NFC East rivals, Philadelphia and Washington, are banking on the Cowboys losing to the Saints in order to keep pace with them. Dallas finishes the season with their last two games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants, so if teams are going to jump them in the division, they better do it soon. Beating the Saints would be a huge victory for Dallas, but there aren’t many who feel that’s a real possibility. What is it going to take for the Cowboys to beat them? We took to twitter to see what you thought.Here are some of the responses...Feed ZekeSimple, to the point, and part of a balanced breakfast. If you want to keep the ball out of the hands of the Saints offense, shorten the game and limit possessions. Stringing together some large quantity, clock-chewing drives would help and that would require a heavy dose of Ezekiel Elliott. Wear the Saints defense down. Finish the driveIf the Cowboys can finish the possessions off with touchdowns, that would be a perfect recipe for hanging with the Saints.Protect DakThe Cowboys must have a good game from their quarterback and part of doing that will be keeping him upright. With Tyron Smith’s availability in question, it’s very possible that they roll with Cameron Fleming at left tackle, which once again puts three backups starting on the offensive line. With great pass rushers like Cameron Jordan and Sheldon Rankins coming at him, Dak could be in trouble if the offensive line doesn’t hold up.And Dak gets rattled when he senses pressure, which could lead to mistakes, which brings us to...Protect the ballThe Cowboys don’t lose when they don’t turn the ball over. That’s fantastic! They also don’t win when they do turn the ball over. Even if it’s just once. That’s not fantastic.Keep Nawlins under 30Can you believe the Cowboys haven’t allowed any team to score 30 points on them this season. Unfortunately, the Saints aren’t just any team as they are averaging 37 points a game and have hit the 30 mark in nine of their 11 games. That’s inconceivable!Stay aggressiveWe don’t want to see Brett Maher trot on the field unless it’s for extra points. Settling for field goals is a sure fire way to come up short against a high-powered offense like the Saints. The offense has to do their part and their part involves scoring a lot of points. Jason Garrett wants his team to fight, well he can set a good example with some aggressive fourth-down decisions to let them know they are in it to win it.Cover the middle of the fieldWhen the Cowboys defense has struggled this season and given up big plays, it’s typically came from a breakdown in communication where a player is left uncovered down the middle of the field. The defense gave up a lot of yards to Zach Ertz as well as the Redskins tight ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis. Each time, it looks as if someone is late to their assignment, allowing a receiving target to roam freely. And if that open target is Alvin Kamara, look out. He gone.What to you think needs to happen for the Cowboys to come out on top Thursday night?