The Dallas Cowboys have managed to keep their postseason dreams alive with back-to-back wins, including a 27-20 Thanksgiving victory over the New York Giants. However, with a 5-7 record, their playoff aspirations remain a long shot. To secure a Wild Card spot in the competitive NFC, Dallas needs to finish the season strong while relying on some favorable results across the league. And when we say “strong,” we mean “perfection.”
The NFC East title is out of reach, with the Philadelphia Eagles comfortably ahead. Instead, Dallas must focus on securing a Wild Card berth, competing against teams like the Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, with just three Wild Card spots available and multiple teams ahead in the standings, the Cowboys will need a nearly flawless run to secure a playoff position.
Fortunately, the return of key players, such as pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence and cornerback Trevon Diggs, could provide a much-needed boost in the final stretch. The remaining schedule is daunting but not impossible:
Remaining Schedule Highlights:
- Week 14 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Monday Night Football): A tough challenge, but with Joe Burrow struggling behind a shaky offensive line, the Cowboys’ defense, led by Micah Parsons, can exploit the Bengals’ weaknesses.
- Week 15 @ Carolina Panthers: A must-win game. A loss here would likely eliminate Dallas from playoff contention.
- Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This game could be a key tiebreaker for Wild Card spots. A win here is essential.
- Week 17 @ Philadelphia Eagles: This is the toughest test remaining. A loss could be survivable if Dallas wins the rest of their games and Washington falters.
- Week 18 vs. Washington Commanders: This finale could decide everything, with Dallas needing to sweep Washington for a shot at the postseason.
What Needs to Happen Elsewhere:
- Washington Commanders (7-5): Must continue to falter, ideally losing at least two of their remaining games. Dallas holds the tiebreaker against them.
- Seattle Seahawks (6-6) and Arizona Cardinals (5-7): Must cannibalize each other, with one dropping off the playoff race entirely.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6): Need to stumble, particularly in their games against the Chargers and Cowboys.
- NFC North: Either the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, or Minnesota Vikings must cool off to create an opening for Dallas.
Dallas must finish 4-1 to reach 9-8, but their fate isn’t entirely in their hands. With teams like Washington, Tampa Bay, and Seattle jockeying for the same Wild Card spot, the Cowboys need a combination of wins and strategic losses by their rivals. While the odds are long, a strong finish would give Dallas a fighting chance and set the tone for next season.
Every game from here on out is a playoff-like challenge, and if Dallas can capitalize on opportunities while the rest of the NFC falters, they could find themselves playing meaningful football in January. For now, the Cowboys’ focus remains clear: take care of business each week and let the chaos of the NFC unfold to their advantage, all while aiming for “perfection.”
