NFL
Can the Dallas Cowboys still make the playoffs if they lose against the Panthers in week 15? Here’s what they need to get in
Time is running out for the Dallas Cowboys, with their postseason hopes hanging by a thread. Let’s look at what they need.
Little over a month ago, the Dallas Cowboys appeared to have all but waved goodbye to their chances of making the playoffs. But two straight wins - on the road at the Washington Commanders (34-26) and their first home win of the season against the Giants (27-20) a week later revived their hopes.
Last week’s loss to the Cincinatti Bengals leaves Mike McCarthy’s men 13th in the National Football Conference (5-8) with their options of making it to the postseason once again hanging by a thread.
Now, with just four games left and the Cowboys sitting at 5-8, believe it or not there actually still is a chance the team could make it to the postseason. But... that chance is extremely slim, according to NFL Next Gen Stats the possibility is somewhere around 1-2%.
So let’s take a closer look at these odds and just exactly what the Cowboys would need to happen in order to clinch a Wild Card berth.
Cowboys basically have to win every game
The NFC East is now way out of reach at this point with the Eagles one of the four teams who have already clinched a playoff spot (the Chiefs, Lions and Bills are the others).
The Cowboys pretty much need a perfect finish to the season, and even then, they’ll need help from the rest of the NFC to even have a chance for a spot in the playoffs.
They probably need at least nine wins, which means they have to win all of their remaining games. Only one of those games - Sunday’s, is against a team with losing record - the Panthers are 3-10 and out of the playoff picture having lost the last three games.
The Bucs are 7-6 are hoping to secure their place in the playoffs and Dallas' last two games are against their division rivals the Commanders (8-5) and the Eagles (11-2).
Let’s not forget, they need those wins without their starting quarterback Dak Prescott, who’s out for the season with Cooper Rush under center.
Here’s a look at the Cowboys' remaining schedule:
| Week | Opponent | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | @ Carolina Panthers | 3-10 |
| 16 | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7-6 |
| 17 | @ Philadelphia Eagles | 11-2 |
| 18 | vs Washington Commanders | 8-6 |
To get at least four wins, they’ll need to get healthy, stop committing so many turnovers, and for Rush to play better than he ever has before.
Let’s break down these games
Week 15 @ Panthers: The Panthers are at 3-10, but the Cowboys cannot make the mistake of underestimating them. Quarterback Bryce Young has been playing way better after getting the starting job back. He’s thrown for 878 yards and four touchdowns to just one interception in the last four games. They nearly beat the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, losing by a missed field goal in the last second. Still, the Panthers defense shouldn’t present too much of a problem for Dallas. It’s a must-win game as a loss here would likely eliminate the Cowboys from playoff contention right away.
Week 16 v s Bucs: While Baker Mayfield and his receivers could be a problem, the real issue for the Dallas defense is going to come in the form of running back duo Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. If they can win this one, Dallas can stay alive in the playoff race.
Week 17 @ Eagles: I simply cannot see a world in which Dallas wins this one. Between Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, the Cowboys defense is going to be on that struggle bus. Unlike the other teams Dallas will face before them, the Philly defense is as good as their offense. If they lose, but can manage a second win over Washington, however, they could still have a shot.
Week 18 vs Commanders: This game could be critical for Dallas to make the postseason. The Commanders currently hold the Wild Card spot, but the Bucs, Cardinals, and Rams are gaining on them. A win against this division rival to end the season will be a positive, playoff or not.
What the Cowboys need from the other NFC teams
None of that will be enough, however, if the rest of the NFC still tops the Cowboys. Here’s what they need from the others.
- Commanders to flop: Dallas needs the Commanders to lose all of their next three games against the Saints, Eagles and Falcons before playing Dallas. The Cowboys currently hold the tiebreaker.
- Bucs to lose to Chargers (and Cowboys, obviously)
- Seahawks or Cardinals to flop: The Cowboys need one of these NFC West teams to knock the other one out of the race
- One of the NFC North teams to flop: The Packers, Lions, and Vikings need to at least drop down in the rankings to open up a potential spot.
The Cowboys need a lot of things to go right to even have a chance at making the playoffs this year. But the most important thing they can do is not flop themselves at this point, at least to set the tone for the next season by not rolling over.
Can they do it? Stranger things have happened but looking at it realistically, we can’t see Dallas winning all of their remaining game and their rivals losing. At least there will be a top 10 pick waiting for them in next year’s draft.
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