Dallas has stormed back with three consecutive wins to go to 8-4, but it now has reached the critical point of its schedule — and the spot that has haunted the Cowboys in recent years.

In each of the past three seasons, the Cowboys have entered December as the NFC East leader — only to go 6-10, including two playoff losses. Since its last playoff win in 1996, Dallas has not had Decembers to remember, compiling an ugly 18-36 record.

So if the Cowboys are going to charge back into contention, they are going to have to overcome an issue they could not in other seasons: They are going to have to win when it matters most.

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