Last week didn’t go well for the Cowboys playoff hopes. While Dallas did their part by beating the New York Giants, the teams they needed to lose also handled their business. As such, we find ourselves in basically the same scenarios as last week and with fewer opportunities for movement.
With the Philadelphia Eagles clinching the NFC East, Dallas’ focus turns solely to the Wild Card race. Catching the Eagles was a longshot, but Carson Wentz’s injury might have opened that door wider if they’d lost to the Rams. Unfortunately, that option is now entirely out the window.
Here are the current NFC playoff standings:
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)
- Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (9-4)
- New Orleans Saints (9-4)
- Carolina Panthers (9-4)
- Atlanta Falcons (8-5)
————————————– - Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
- Detroit Lions (7-6)
- Green Bay Packers (7-6)
- Dallas Cowboys (7-6)
TIEBREAKERS
- Los Angeles is ahead of New Orleans thanks to a head-to-head (H2H) victory in Week 12.
- New Orleans has swept Carolina this year, giving them the H2H tiebreaker.
- Atlanta has a H2H tiebreaker over Seattle from Week 11.
- Detroit currently has a H2H tiebreaker over Green Bay from Week 9. They play again Week 17.
- Green Bay has a H2H tiebreaker over Dallas from Week 5
Now, let’s get to the games on the Week 15 schedule that can impact the NFC playoff picture.
Dallas Cowboys @ Oakland Raiders
The Raiders, despite being 6-7 now, are still in the playoff hunt in the AFC. The 6th seed is only 7-6 and even the current AFC West leader, Kansas City, is 7-6 also. Oakland still has a puncher’s chance, so they won’t be laying down for the visiting Cowboys.
Obviously, Dallas can’t afford another loss this year. There’s a possibility that 10-6 won’t even get them in based on tiebreakers and the high records of other teams, so 9-7 is as good as eliminated. “Just win, baby,” the infamous quote of former Raiders owner Al Davis, is fitting for the Cowboys now and going forward.
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
Detroit has the 7-6 record as the Cowboys, so it’d be nice to get them out of the way. The Bears shouldn’t be much trouble for them, but the Lions are on the road next week in Cincinnati and then host Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in Week 17. They shouldn’t be the reason Dallas doesn’t make the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings aren’t really an issue for the Cowboys, but their game next week against the Packers is. Minnesota can clinch the NFC North if they win this week, which means they may lose some fire in the belly when they head to Lambeau. A Minnesota loss here would have them hungrier to win in Green Bay, which would be in Dallas’ best interests.
New York Jets @ New Orleans Saints
The best thing for Dallas would be the Saints and Panthers both going cold and allowing the Falcons to take the NFC South. That would pull Atlanta out of the Wild Card, where they are a major threat to the Cowboys with their H2H tiebreaker. That scenario is unlikely, though, so the better odds are for the Saints to keep winning and putting a loss on Atlanta next week.
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
If Philly keeps winning, that Week 17 matchup with Dallas may not matter for them. If they’re 13-2 going into that final game, they may have already clinched the top seed and be able to rest starters. That is the best scenario for the Cowboys at this point.
Green Bay Packers @ Carolina Panthers
It’s hard to say which outcome is better for the Cowboys here. Carolina is already two games up on Dallas, but the Packers have that H2H tiebreaker and now have Aaron Rodgers returning. With this week’s game against Green Bay and then Week 17 in Atlanta, the Panthers can probably help Dallas more by winning out and hanging losses on the Packers and Falcons. They can have that fifth seed, so long as they help us get the sixth.
L.A. Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
Even if Seattle wins this one, Dallas can catch up next week when they play each other in Ezekiel Elliott’s return game. However, the Rams have a H2H tiebreaker against Dallas so it behooves us for them to win their division and leave Seattle in the Wild Card race. We clearly should root for Los Angels in this one.
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If you haven’t figured it out by now… ATLANTA NEEDS TO LOSE. They need to lose now and keep right on losing through the end of the season. It’s that simple.
