The Cowboys aren’t dead yet.
Dallas’ season spiraled with a five-game losing streak that started in October and bled well into November. But a stretch of three wins in four games with Cooper Rush under center has held off the formal end of the franchise’s playoff hopes.
With eight losses, however, Dallas has no room for error. Any hope of playing meaningful games after Christmas requires a run of wins and some luck, making Sunday a make-or-break day for Mike McCarthy’s squad.
Here are the Cowboys’ updated playoff chances and how the team can stave off elimination once again in Week 16.
Cowboys playoff picture
NFC wild-card standings
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 5 | Vikings | 12-2 |
| 6 | Packers | 10-4 |
| 7 | Commanders | 9-5 |
| 8 | Seahawks | 8-6 |
| 9 | Falcons | 7-7 |
| 10 | Cardinals | 7-7 |
| 11 | 49ers | 6-8 |
| 12 | Cowboys | 6-8 |
| 13 | Saints | 5-9 |
| 14 | Bears | 4-10 |
| 15 | Panthers | 3-11 |
| 16 | Giants | 2-12 |
The Cowboys are still in playoff contention, but they are hanging by a thread. Dallas can be eliminated from the wild-card race in Week 16 with either a loss to the Buccaneers or a Commanders win over the Eagles.
Even if they survive to Week 17, the Cowboys would face a similar win-or-out scenario and still need help from the Commanders as well as any other nine-win team in the wild-card race.
Dallas’ hopes are still extremely distant, but the team’s recent improvement at least inspires some hope for an upset against Tampa Bay to potentially keep the idea of a miraculous run alive.
Cowboys remaining schedule
| Week | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| 16 | Dec. 22 | vs. Buccaneers | 8:20 p.m. |
| 17 | Dec. 29 | at Eagles | 4:25 p.m. |
| 18 | Jan. 5 | vs. Commanders | TBD |
The Cowboys’ playoff chances are already slim, but facing three teams currently in playoff position makes their path even tougher. If Dallas gets past the Buccaneers, the Super Bowl-contending Eagles await in Week 17.
The season wraps up at home against the Commanders, though that game might mean more to Washington than Dallas by that point.
Cowboys updated playoff chances
ESPN’s Football Power Index rates the Cowboys’ playoff chances at less than 1%, a reminder of just how far-fetched Dallas’ path is entering Week 16.
