The Dallas Cowboys can only do so much to improve their positioning in the NFC playoff picture. What's become abundantly clear after the last two weeks, though, is that the Eagles are going to keep churning out wins regardless of their collective performance.
In Week 12, the Eagles benefitted from two Chiefs red zone turnovers and five drops from Kansas City receivers -- including the potential game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter -- and squeaked out a 21-17 road win.
Sunday was much of the same. Outclassed by the Bills for nearly three quarters, the Eagles walked off in overtime on a Jalen Hurts touchdown run after kicker Jake Elliott drilled a 59-yard field goal in hellacious weather conditions with 20 seconds left in regulation.
This marks two straight weeks that Philly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, meaning the Cowboys still trail them by two games.
Teases don't get worse than that, but it wasn't a total stinker of a weekend for Dallas, as insider Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Sunday that free agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard will visit the Cowboys on Tuesday.
Three-time All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard is scheduled to visit the #Cowboys on Tuesday, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 27, 2023
Dallas is thin on linebacker depth, and Leonard wouldn’t cost much with the #Colts on the hook for his salary. pic.twitter.com/bWCtP3fnwc
Cowboys Rumors: Shaquille Leonard to visit Dallas on Tuesday
Victories come in all shapes and sizes.
While the Eagles might be the luckiest team in NFL history, this is without question a victory for the Cowboys, who seemingly will be Leonard's first official free agent visit since he was released by the Colts last week and cleared waivers.
That's a big deal. One would think Leonard will keep his options open, but Tuesday's visit affords Dallas the opportunity to not let him leave without signing a contract if all goes well. It's unclear what other teams have contacted Leonard, but on paper the Cowboys should have everything the three-time All-Pro is looking for: playing time and a chance to compete for a Super Bowl.
While the Cowboys have expressed confidence in linebackers Damone Clark and Markquese Bell, who've brought an athleticism to the second level defense that otherwise wasn't there when Leighton Vander Esch was healthy, the group is paper thin behind Clark and Bell.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy on free agent LB Shaquille Leonard: “I don’t have anything to report on Shaq, but yes, definitely, there’s interest.” pic.twitter.com/gFbHFRrjRw
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 26, 2023
Fans were reminded of this on Thanksgiving when Bell left briefly with a stinger, which forced Rashaan Evans into a prominent role.
Signing Leonard would exponentially improve the Cowboys' LB depth. His production has wavered after battling injuries the last couple of years, but he's not long removed from being one of the best defenders in the NFL. He's also a beloved figure in Indianapolis, which says a lot about his character and influence in the community.
Unless the Cowboys are alarmed by Leonard's medicals, they can't let the former Defensive Rookie of the Year leave on Tuesday without a deal in place.