The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a precarious position as they prepare to resume their season in Week 8, with their playoff aspirations hanging by a thread.
Jim Mora’s famous exclamation, “Playoffs?! Don’t talk about playoffs. You kidding me? Playoffs?!” resonates now more than ever as the Cowboys face an uphill battle to secure a postseason berth. Since their last Super Bowl victory in 1995, the Cowboys have struggled to make an impact in the playoffs, winning just four postseason games in that span.
Currently sitting at 3-3, the Cowboys are in dire need of a win. They trail the Washington Commanders (5-2) and the Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) in the NFC East standings, making this Sunday night’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers a must-win.
ESPN’s latest playoff projection gives the Cowboys only a 17% chance of making the playoffs—down 1% from the previous week. Their odds of winning the NFC East stand at just 7%, and they have a mere 1% chance of earning a first-round bye or reaching the Super Bowl.
Head coach Mike McCarthy’s goal of leading the team to a fourth consecutive January appearance is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with the pressure mounting on quarterback Dak Prescott. The Cowboys made Prescott the highest-paid quarterback in September, expecting him to elevate his performance despite significant injuries affecting the team’s depth.
Following the critical clash against the 49ers, the Cowboys face a challenging schedule, with upcoming games against the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, and Washington Commanders over the next four weeks.
For now, the Cowboys must take it one game at a time and focus on getting healthy as they strive to turn their season around. Each game is crucial if they hope to salvage their playoff hopes and regain their place among the NFL’s elite.
