Path to the Playoffs: Cowboys’ Roadmap for Success

(Editor’s observe: The content material offered relies on opinions and/or perspective of the DallasCowboys.com editorial workers and never the Cowboys soccer workers or group.)

FRISCO, Texas — No matter it takes. That was the edict positioned upon the Avengers by Captain America when the mission was to seek out Thanos and undo The Snap, giving the world a mulligan at attempting to defeat the Mad Titan. It is precisely what the Dallas Cowboys must abide by as their NFC East rival stumbles, and playoff hopes are abruptly now not flaked away.

Truth is, virtually nobody outdoors of the group believed the Cowboys may go from having the worst protection within the league en path to a 4-5-1 report, with nary a two-game win streak throughout that span of video games, to successful not one, not two, however three video games in a row.

And the narrative of “it was simply the Raiders, loosen up” met its maker when the Cowboys overcame a 21-0 deficit towards the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles to finish a historic comeback and, 4 days later, turning the screws towards Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs for a Thanksgiving victory throughout what turned out to be essentially the most watched common season recreation within the historical past of the complete NFL.

However then got here the Lions, a fourth recreation (third towards a contender) in solely 17 days, and on the street, no much less, the place the Cowboys have struggled this season — creating an ideal storm of variables that manifested themselves as self-inflicted wounds and psychological errors; and, but, they may’ve nonetheless received (I believe that is telling of both how good the Cowboys will be or how the Lions aren’t who they assume they’re, relying on how I take a look at that tumbler of water).

With that loss got here The Snap, the already minimal probabilities of the Cowboys clawing their approach into the playoffs being almost halved, not less than till Jalen Hurts threw 4 interceptions (his closing one being on first down, down solely three factors, nicely inside area aim distance), committing 5 turnovers in all, to lose in extra time to the Los Angeles Chargers to safe a 3rd consecutive loss.

Avengers, assemble. No matter it takes.

The Eagles’ present collapse conjures recollections of the 2023 season, when Philly obtained off to a league-best 10-1 begin earlier than shedding 5 of their closing six video games, permitting the Cowboys to fly previous them to safe the NFC East crown. Sure, so I am saying there’s an opportunity, Harry.

That likelihood requires the Cowboys to not solely win their closing 4 common season video games, having no extra margin for error, and needing, desperately to flip a deficiency that has allowed opposing groups to outscore them to the tune of 49-109 within the first quarter of video games in 2025 — an abysmal statistic that, if improved even barely, may decide how the remainder of this season goes.

However this is what else will decide it: the resolve of the Eagles and Bears.

The loss to the Lions was virtually devastating, however then the Eagles and Bears got here to the rescue by shedding as nicely. Extra of that might be wanted if the Cowboys are to sneak their approach into the playoffs after a horrible begin to the season (severely, what’s it about this crew and gradual begins to issues?), so let’s get into the science of the matter.

At the start, as talked about, with an 11 % likelihood of incomes a postseason berth, the Cowboys should win out. Not two or three video games — all of them.

All’uhm, I mentioned. Try this after which pray for rain, accordingly:

• Week 15 – Las Vegas Raiders (Lincoln Monetary Discipline)
• Week 16 – Washington Commanders (FedEx Stadium)
• Week 17 – Buffalo Payments (Highmark Stadium)
• Week 18 – Washington Commanders (Lincoln Monetary Discipline)

If this occurs and the Cowboys win out, then Dallas will win the NFC East. That is the most effective path to intention for, and it is real looking to contemplate a floundering Eagles’ crew that has regarded damaged since leaving AT&T Stadium shedding not less than two of those 4 outings. The Commanders wish to play spoiler, at all times enjoyable, and splitting with the Eagles may simply mix with the actual fact the latter has to journey to go to the Payments in Buffalo.

Because it stands, the Payments are clinging to a wild card spot and in addition attempting to tug down the division-leading New England Patriots, so that they’ll have a lot to play for, and in entrance of their residence crowd, when the Eagles make their technique to Upstate New York; and within the useless of winter.

The query is can the Raiders discover some gumption in proving anybody can beat anybody on any given recreation day, or can the Commanders actually punch a gap by the Chicken chest of Philly and sweep them this season? Something can occur within the NFC East, in spite of everything.

• Week 15 – Cleveland Browns (Soldier Discipline)
• Week 16 – Inexperienced Bay Packers (Soldier Discipline)
• Week 17– San Francisco 49ers (Levi’s Stadium)
• Week 18 – Detroit Lions (Soldier Discipline)

This may give the Cowboys a wild card spot within the occasion they can not take the division from the Eagles. The Bears will in all probability obliterate the Browns (however, who is aware of?) after which win not less than one among their closing two residence video games, and that might delete the wild card state of affairs from Dallas’ imaginative and prescient board as a result of, because of the Bears successful the head-to-head in Week 3, they personal the tiebreaker over the Cowboys.

The tie towards the Packers may find yourself edging the Cowboys previous the Bears although, however, once more, that is provided that Chicago drops three of their final 4 to complete 10-7, assuming Dallas finishes 10-6-1.

I assume a tie, although grotesque to contemplate its existence in skilled soccer, can not less than come in useful in a pinch, however like a clip-on in a job interview. It will do, however good God, man.

The place the Bears run into hassle of their closing 4 is the actual fact three are towards present playoff-bound groups vying for both place or making an attempt to solidify their berth, and in how the Bears’ common margin of their 9 wins is simply six factors. That is it: six factors. And even that’s boosted by a 17-point win over the Cowboys and a 12-point victory over the New Orleans Saints.

I get it, simply win, child. Positive factor. At all times true. And the Bears deserve some flowers for realizing the best way to win shut video games, as nicely. However eventually, the razor-thin margin cuts the holder, they usually bleed out, is all I am saying. And the Cowboys would love the Bears to nick an artery of their final 4 video games, figuratively talking.

OK, say the Cowboys win out however the Eagles do not proceed to implode and the Bears end robust, what then? Properly, then eyes flip to the Lions and 49ers, the very Lions that simply got here alive towards the Cowboys to finish their struggles, no much less, in a final ditch effort to earn a wild card spot.

If the Lions lose two of their final 4…

• Week 15 – Los Angeles Rams (SoFi Stadium)
• Week 16 – Pittsburgh Steelers (Ford Discipline)
• Week 17 – Minnesota Vikings (U.S. Financial institution Stadium)
• Week 18 – Chicago Bears (Ford Discipline)

… or if the 49ers lose three of their final 4 …

• Week 15 – Tennessee Titans (Levi’s Stadium)
• Week 16 – Indianapolis Colts (Lucas Oil Stadium)
• Week 17 – Chicago Bears (Levi’s Stadium)
• Week 18 – Seattle Seahawks (Lumen Discipline)

… then the Cowboys would stroll previous both of those two groups to safe a wild card spot by advantage of help from the tie towards the Packers, along with turning into red-hot to complete out December, as a break glass in case of tiebreaker emergency sort of ax.

The Rams and the Bears may defeat the Lions, however do not rely out the Steelers, as they’re at present clinging to the AFC North lead for pricey stay with the Ravens on their heels, and certain not having a adequate report to safe a wild card spot in the event that they lose the division — which is to say they’re gonna depart all of it on the sector towards the Lions.

Eh, I am going to look previous the Titans as a result of, let’s be severe, it is doable, however, once more, let’s be severe; and which means hoping Philip Rivers can hold the Colts’ prepare from derailing to drive the Niners into defeating the Bears after which, in the event that they’ve misplaced two of the three heading into the finale, attempting to flee the twelfth Man who wouldn’t solely be trying to attempt to hold the division crown away from the Rams, but additionally with the additional benefit of taking part in spoiler to the opposite bitter NFC West rival donned in pink and gold.

And so it goes that the Cowboys must deal with their enterprise, and hope others cannot do the identical, and all of it begins with discovering a technique to defeat the Vikings, or pack up the Pym Particles and begin wanting towards free company and the 2026 NFL Draft.

Determine it out, Cowboys. No matter it takes.