The Dallas Cowboys have kept their postseason hopes alive with back-to-back wins, including a 27-20 Thanksgiving victory over the New York Giants. But sitting at 5-7, their playoff aspirations are a long shot.
To secure a Wild Card spot in the competitive NFC, Dallas needs to finish strong while relying on favorable results across the league. And when we say “strong,” we basically mean “perfection.”
The NFC East title is out of reach with the Philadelphia Eagles comfortably ahead. Instead, Dallas must target a Wild Card berth, competing with teams like the Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, with just three spots available and several teams already ahead in the standings, the Cowboys need a nearly flawless run. A bit of hope could come in the return of key players who have been battling injuries like pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence and Trevon Diggs.
Remaining Schedule Highlights:
Week 14 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Monday Night Football): Dallas faces a tough challenge, however, against a struggling Bengals squad led by Joe Burrow. The Cowboys’ pass rush, led by Micah Parsons, will need to exploit Cincinnati’s protection issues to secure an upset win.
Week 15 @ Carolina Panthers: A must-win against a struggling Panthers team. Anything less would likely eliminate Dallas from playoff contention.
Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This game could determine key tiebreakers. A win would be critical for Dallas to stay alive in the race.
Week 17 @ Philadelphia Eagles: Likely the toughest test remaining. A loss here could be survivable if Dallas wins the rest and Washington stumbles.
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:
· The Washington Commanders (7-5) must continue to falter, ideally losing at least two of their remaining games with Dallas holding the tie breaker at the moment. They face matchups against the Titans, Saints and Falcons that could go either way.
· The Seattle Seahawks (6-6) and Arizona Cardinals (5-7), divisional rivals, must cannibalize each other, with one team dropping off the pace entirely.
· The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6) need to stumble in tough games against the Chargers and Cowboys.
· In the NFC North, probably the most stark challenge, one of the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, or Minnesota Vikings must cool off immensely, potentially creating an opening.
Dallas must finish 4-1 to reach 9-8, but their fate isn’t entirely in their own hands. With teams like Washington, Tampa Bay, and Seattle jockeying for the same Wild Card slot, the Cowboys need a combination of wins and strategic losses by their rivals. While the odds are long, a strong finish would not only give the Cowboys a fighting chance but also set the tone for next season.
Every game from here on out is a playoff-like challenge, and if Dallas can capitalize on their opportunities while the rest of the NFC stumbles, 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. … while seeking “perfection.”
