T.Y. Hilton Colts 2014
Colts top receiver T.Y. Hilton is listed as questionable for Sunday's road matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. Reuters

KEY POINTS

  • T.Y. Hilton is showing the Cowboys that they did not go wrong by signing him as one of their wide receivers
  • Hilton's impressive outing is likely to shut out any potential Odell Beckham Jr. talks in Dallas for now
  • Hilton could have another big game against the Titans as the Cowboys ramp up their postseason chances

The Dallas Cowboys were linked to Odell Beckham Jr., someone who would have added more spunk to the team.

But with the clock ticking and both failing to reach an agreement, Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones knows that they need to move on.

More so, the Cowboys may not need the 2014 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year anyway as they took a chance on former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton.

While Hilton appeared to be overlooked by most, the 33-year-old four-time Pro Bowler showed his true worth.

Against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, December 24, Hilton demonstrated what he could do despite being left unsigned in the offseason.

That was highlighted by a 52-yard game-saving haul by the Cowboys last weekend with Dallas winning it, 40-34.

That effort drew praise from Jones, validating their decision to sign him.

"I'm really proud of him and proud of our team, too," Jones said. "He allowed a dimension to this thing that just opens it up."

After showing what he brings to the Cowboys, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb lauded his new teammate, someone he brands as a "smooth operator" who understands the game very well.

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"[Hilton is] very deceptive, his route-running. He's a smooth operator. He understands the game very well," Lamb stated. "Don't let his size fool you—his speed will sneak up on you."

Looking ahead, it will be interesting if the Cowboys can still catch up to the Eagles for a division title.

Although their chances are deemed slim since they will need to win twice and hope that Philly also drops two games to close the NFL season.

Dallas is likely to end as the fifth seed, meaning they will have to travel for postseason games.

However, that also means they would open against the champion of the NFC South, in which every team is currently under .500.

The Cowboys face the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, December 29, a team that Hilton faced 18 times when he was still with the Colts.

The Colts won 14 of those matchups with Hilton hauling in 71 catches for 1,078 yards and six touchdowns in the series.

It will be interesting if the 2016 NFL Passing Yards leader can maintain that level of performance despite donning a different jersey.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton
The Dallas Cowboys appear to have signed a wide receiver gem in T.Y. Hilton who has been performing credibly thus far for the team. Reuters/Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
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