Riding a seven-game winning streak, the Cowboys have a strangle-hold on the NFC, sporting a two-game margin on their closest competitors. The week was filled with conversations about when Tony Romo would return, if he would return and where he would return to. Injuries to the offensive line put some fear in people, despite the fact the club has navigated through them already this season. The 2016 Cowboys appear to be having one of those campaigns where they can withstand plenty and still come out on top. Want proof? We have it all right here, in case you missed it.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Cowboys 2015 second-round pick Randy Gregory has apparently failed yet another drug test, calling into question whether he will ever wear an NFL uniform, much less a Dallas one. He will be suspended for an additional year, which will take him out until Week 15 of 2017 at the earliest.

Gregory is currently serving a 10-game suspension, following a four-game suspension, that has kept him out the entire year. He has been working out with the team, but under the rules of the suspension, could not practice with them.

We detail his path to this point.

Week 10 Rooting Guide: Who will help the Cowboys this weekend?

The Cowboys will be looking for assistance from four games this weekend. We all know Dallas will appreciate help from the AFC when it comes to inter-conference contests, but what about the two NFC-on-NFC tilts in the early games. Check out who we want to win, right here.

Think this Dak-Romo ordeal is new? Then you haven’t heard of the 1969 Chiefs, the 2001 Patriots or the 1971 version of the Dallas Cowboys. In our latest Cowboys Crunchtime podcast, we go down memory lane to see how previous elite teams with a vet-youngster QB conundrum have dealt with it. Well worth the listen, check it out.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10

With Romo’s practice participation ramping up, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he makes his way back to the active roster. The question is whether he’ll return as the starter barring injury to Prescott. AJ Mada takes the position that Thanksgiving would be the perfect time for this to happen and explains why.

Cowboys Wire was the first to connect the dots that Smith was dealing with more than the usual week of rest over his back soreness. Before it was revealed Friday he was suffering from a hip flexor, we took a look at his practice history thus far in the season.

We check in with Neal Coolong to get the scoop on what’s not working for the 4-4 Steelers? His response? Everything. He goes into detail though on what he sees as the biggest issue, offensive balance. Lack of balance makes every defense’s job easier when it comes to gameplanning, so this might work right in the favor of Rod Marinelli and Matt Eberflus.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09

One of our favorite measures of a team’s performance (outside of outscoring opponents) is the Toxic Differential — the sum of turnover differential and big play differential.

More simply put, it is the measure of getting more takeaways and giving fewer giveaways combined with the ability to make and prevent big plays (pass plays of 25-plus yards and runs of 10-plus yards).

The Cowboys are five points above the closest competitor heading into Week 10. To put this in perspective, the team that has led the league in Toxic Differential has represented the NFC in the last four Super Bowls. Carolina did it in 2015, Seattle in both 2013 and 2014 and San Francisco in 2012.

With three division games left and two on the road, the schedule hasn’t gotten much easier for the Cowboys. Even with that, it’s hard to imagine the Cowboys will be the underdogs in any of their upcoming matches. AJ took a turn at the prediction machine, seeing Dallas going 6-2 down the stretch for their first 13-win regular season since 2007.

Predictions

Date Time H/A? Opponent Prediction Sun, Nov 13 3:25 PM @ Steelers L Sun, Nov 20 12:00 PM vs Ravens W Thu, Nov 24 3:30 PM vs Redskins W Thu, Dec 1 7:25 PM @ Vikings W Sun, Dec 11 7:30 PM @ Giants W Sun, Dec 18 12:00 PM vs Buccaneers W Mon, Dec 26 7:30 PM vs Lions W Sun, Jan 1 12:00 PM @ Eagles L

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 08

The Cowboys safety was injured in the win over Philadelphia, but initially wasn’t going to get surgery. Things changed. Fortunately though, the timeframe for his return remains the same with or without the surgery, which is expected to stabalize the area.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 07

Ever seen a 300-pound man fly? Check out another reason why Travis Frederick is the best center in the league.

Sid Vijay breaks down the outstanding athleticism Frederick showed in the Cowboys’ victory over the Browns in his patented One Play film review.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 06

The Cowboys are having a blast being 7-1. As evidenced by their participation in the latest social media craze, the Mannequin Challenge, there is no ceiling on their ability to celebrate each victory before focusing on the next opponent.