Everything you need to know about CeeDee

• Baker Cookin’: Badly, the Cowboys catch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a four-game winning streak, pulling their record to 8-6 with four games to play, but they also catch quarterback Baker Mayfield on a hot streak. He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Bucs’ 40-17 win over the Chargers, completing 22 of 27 passes (81.5 percent) for 288 yards, four TDs, an INT and a QB -rating of 135.3. During that four-game winning streak, Mayfield has completed 85 of 122 passes (70 percent) for 1,112 yards, eight TDs, five INTs and a 102.9 QB rating. That’s pretty much smoking, especially when it comes to touchdown passes this season, his 32 ranking third and then also his yards passing (3,612). Definitely a handful for the Cowboys.

• Football: Cowboys special teams coach John Fassel, who had a hand in designing the newly implemented kickoff rules, has been quite pleased with the number of total returns this season, especially how exciting some of the plays have been after seasons of touchbacks touchbacks. Said Fassel: “The foot is definitely back in football compared to the last two seasons. The foot is definitely back in it. Our guys, they want to play.” Especially cowboys. They have returned 31 kickoffs, sixth most in the NFL, but only due to pushing the envelope with NFL leader KaVontae Turpin back there averaging 34.4 yards a return on 24 attempts, most in the NFL when factoring considering only five players have at least 18 tries so far this season.

• Bright Eyes: Ol’ Turp’s eyes lit up when asked if he wished an opponent would attempt a 70-yard field goal against the Cowboys, as Dallas did Sunday against Carolina, Brandon Aubrey fell short and let the Panthers return the kick land in the end zone. “I wish they would,” Turpin said. “I know how to set up the angles,” realizing that a majority of the guys who block field goal attempts are offensive linemen. “I know how to set the angles on those guys.” He sure does.

• Third-And-1: Go back and look at the Cowboys’ third-and-1 attempt from the Carolina 14-yard line with 45 seconds left in the half. With tight end Jake Ferguson moving left to right on the snap, had the Rush successfully pulled the ball off Rico Dowdlein instead of fumbling, with the Panthers defensive end slamming hard inside to stop the run, Coop would have an easy 1-yard gain keep the ball or even better an easy soft throw to Ferguson gong which would have definitely gained 1 yard but very possible if Lamb got his blocker for the safety that Fergie would have gone for a touchdown and a Cowboys lead of 17-0 at halftime.

• Holiday Nibbles: Best news on a 13-man injury report Wednesday was center Cooper Beebe, who missed the latest game in concussion protocol, listed as a full practice and cornerback Jourdan Lewis, with a whole lot of corners injured, at least limited, he says he will be good to go with that elbow injury … Don’t think because Aubrey fell short on his 70-yard field goal attempt the Cowboys have given up on trying again, Fassel knew that they kicked into the wind on a cold day and that Aubrey admittedly tried to force the attempt instead of taking his normal approach … Also know that Aubrey’s 11 made field goals from 50-plus yards in 14 games are the second most in NFL history , only Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbarn’s 13 this season and more … Speaking of kickoffs, during recent NFL meetings there was some discussion about trying to re-implement the onside kick, which under the new rules is limited to the fourth quarter and the attempt must be exposed, taking any surprise attack out of the game … Anticipating a return attempt if Aubrey fell short on the 70-yarder, Cowboys defensive lineman Chauncey Golston knew he was the tackler out there on the field and “Fassel told me they would probably come back to my side,” which the Panthers did, saying he was ready because you had to “be a player.”

This could be an update on the last word this week, where earlier this year he had quoted defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer about coaching Micah Parsons, talking about his abilities and what he expects from the fourth-year player.