A realistic look at our playoff hopes

[Bobhaze]

If the Cowboys win out, their chances of getting in are > 98 percent. It’s the winning out part that’s difficult.

Winning out - It’s a very tall order. Not impossible. But difficult. This team will have a chance to do something special. A chance.

 

[Acceptablename]

LOL!

The defense was historically bad until 3 weeks ago, and we were a pathetic 3-5-1 before trading for Quinnen Williams.

Even though Jerry assured us that Kenny Clark would make us forget all about Micah!


We now need to win out just to MAYBE squeak into the playoffs.

The Parsons trade was an utter disaster for this season. The hope is that it pays off in 2026 and beyond.

Nav we don't understand each other

 

[Acceptablename]

Better than... what?

We're 6-5-1 and still highly unlikely to make the playoffs.

Dak has mostly been terrific this year, along with the rest of the offense. Aubrey is Aubrey.

So if we paid Micah like we should have, there's no way we'd only be a half game over .500 like we are now.


I will say that it's nice to have some real DTs up front for a change.

I don't think you communicate well but I'm sure you're good fan have a great day

 

[goshann]

win out and hope for either:

Chargers and Bills beat the Eagles

Or

Colts and Seahawks beat the 9ers

Agree this is the simplest way to look at it

 

[gtb1943]

Meh. Denver has won 9 in a row.

when was the last time we won 8 in a row?

 

[gtb1943]

Those aren’t fans I’d place any credibility with.

Most fans understand it was one of the greatest HC & QB combinations in NFL history.

Most of those seasons Bill built great defenses to compliment Brady’s surgical clutch performances.

Paul Brown and Otto Graham; Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr
There are some great ones in history but honesty says BB and Brady IS the Greatest in history; the most championships and the longest lasting.

 

[gimmesix]

There is no question the Cowboys have gone from embarrassingly bad to a potential playoff team in the last month. Our defense has gone from “cover your eyes” bad to above average - at least in the last 3 games. Our offense has been top shelf almost all year and looks more and more lethal as the season progresses.

In the midst of the understandable excitement of this team’s improvement, there remains certain realities this team faces about making the playoffs. With 5 games to play, here are the tough challenges in the Cowboys chances of making the playoffs:

• Currently, the Cowboys are 1.5 games behind the suddenly staggering egirls which makes the division still within reach unless the egirls regain their footing. It’s possible their fade continues but it’s also possible they recover. (They have the commanders twice in the next 5 games)
• The teams ahead of us in the wild card race in Week 13 - the rams, 49ers, panthers, seabags - all needed to lose and unfortunately they all won.
• In the wild card race, the challenge appears tougher than it might be winning the division.

Here are the Current NFC Playoff Standings:

1. Chicago Bears (9-3) NFC North Leader
2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3) NFC West Leader
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) NFC EastLeader
4. Tampa Bay Bucs (7-5) NFC South Leader
5. Seattle Seahawks (9-3) WC 1
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) WC 2
7. San Francisco 49ers (9-4) WC 3

At 6-5-1, the Cowboys are currently 2.5 games behind the three teams ahead of them in the wild card hunt. Not impossible but we are going to need at least one of those WC teams ahead of us to seriously fade.

We're 1.5 games behind the 49ers. We need them to lose two, so not a serious fade, but not ideal. They do face the Colts, Bears and Seahawks in the final three weeks, though. We shouldn't gain any ground on them next week, though, if we win Thursday since they have the Titans on Sunday.

 

[gimmesix]

There is no question the Cowboys have gone from embarrassingly bad to a potential playoff team in the last month. Our defense has gone from “cover your eyes” bad to above average - at least in the last 3 games. Our offense has been top shelf almost all year and looks more and more lethal as the season progresses.

In the midst of the understandable excitement of this team’s improvement, there remains certain realities this team faces about making the playoffs. With 5 games to play, here are the tough challenges in the Cowboys chances of making the playoffs:

• Currently, the Cowboys are 1.5 games behind the suddenly staggering egirls which makes the division still within reach unless the egirls regain their footing. It’s possible their fade continues but it’s also possible they recover. (They have the commanders twice in the next 5 games)
• The teams ahead of us in the wild card race in Week 13 - the rams, 49ers, panthers, seabags - all needed to lose and unfortunately they all won.
• In the wild card race, the challenge appears tougher than it might be winning the division.

Here are the Current NFC Playoff Standings:

1. Chicago Bears (9-3) NFC North Leader
2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3) NFC West Leader
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) NFC EastLeader
4. Tampa Bay Bucs (7-5) NFC South Leader
5. Seattle Seahawks (9-3) WC 1
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) WC 2
7. San Francisco 49ers (9-4) WC 3

At 6-5-1, the Cowboys are currently 2.5 games behind the three teams ahead of them in the wild card hunt. Not impossible but we are going to need at least one of those WC teams ahead of us to seriously fade.

All the Cowboys can do is win their remaining games and hope for some help. The margins with 5 games left are razor thin. This Thursday’s game vs the lions is obviously huge because Det at 7-5 is also fighting for a playoff spot.

As we head down the stretch for the last 5 games, what a fun ride lays ahead. The NFL is the most unpredictable league in pro sports so don’t look at any team’s schedule and predict wins and losses. Anything can happen.

If I had to rank our best odds, it would be:

1) The Eagles losing at least two, mainly because the Eagles are reeling right now, esp. on offense. The Chargers and Bills are our best hopes, but playing a division foe twice in a short time (the Commanders) can produce some unexpected results.

2) The 49ers. Like with the Eagles, they are only 1 1/2 games ahead of us, and on top of that, their home stretch could be tough with the Colts, Bears and Seahawks.

3) The Packers. It's kind of a toss-up here with Chicago since they play each other twice, but the Packers also have the Broncos and the Ravens.

4) The Bears. In addition to the Packers twice, they have the 49ers and Lions.

5) The Seahawks. The Colts, Rams and 49ers are the tough teams left on Seattle's schedule.

6) The Rams. LA probably has the easiest remaining schedule with the Cardinals twice and the Falcons, but they do play the Lions and Seahawks.

 

[rambo2]

Lol they've been good several times and never advanced far in the playoffs

They are good now and can beat anybody.

 

[Chasing6]

Winning out - It’s a very tall order. Not impossible. But difficult. This team will have a chance to do something special. A chance.

Is it really? After Detroit it is not difficult at all.

 

[StarW]

The 49ers have the Bears also. They've got a tough row to hoe.

I'm not sure they'll toe the mark, but Bears play Packers twice down the stretch and the Packers also play the Broncos.

These other contending teams have objectively harder schedules than we do over then next 5 weeks.

We're also fortunate to be playing a wounded, out of rhythm Lion's team. Finally, health is on our side.

 

[kramskoi]

If I had to rank our best odds, it would be:

1) The Eagles losing at least two, mainly because the Eagles are reeling right now, esp. on offense. The Chargers and Bills are our best hopes, but playing a division foe twice in a short time (the Commanders) can produce some unexpected results.

2) The 49ers. Like with the Eagles, they are only 1 1/2 games ahead of us, and on top of that, their home stretch could be tough with the Colts, Bears and Seahawks.

3) The Packers. It's kind of a toss-up here with Chicago since they play each other twice, but the Packers also have the Broncos and the Ravens.

4) The Bears. In addition to the Packers twice, they have the 49ers and Lions.

5) The Seahawks. The Colts, Rams and 49ers are the tough teams left on Seattle's schedule.

6) The Rams. LA probably has the easiest remaining schedule with the Cardinals twice and the Falcons, but they do play the Lions and Seahawks.

The 49ers aren't great this year...on either side of the ball. It's unlikely that GB or Chi will sweep...so that means ONE of them will need to drop two additional games. NFC North really is the big wildcard, since we don't know how Green Bay and Chicago matchup. I'd put my money on Love since Williams is less experienced and less accurate. But who knows. Chicago just might be in the Cinderella coach this year...soft schedule and all. But if Green Bay sweeps them...or vice versa (which I don't foresee) then one more loss by the swept team opens up the spot. So I'm guessing you'd want Chicago to sweep since the Packers have a tie on their record.

It might be that even with a loss, Dallas can sneak in. More wheels would need to turn the right ways...but it would be possible. Five weeks can change a season.

 

[Chasing6]

The 49ers aren't great this year...on either side of the ball. It's unlikely that GB or Chi will sweep...so that means ONE of them will need to drop two additional games. NFC North really is the big wildcard, since we don't know how Green Bay and Chicago matchup. I'd put my money on Love since Williams is less experienced and less accurate. But who knows. Chicago just might be in the Cinderella coach this year...soft schedule and all. But if Green Bay sweeps them...or vice versa (which I don't foresee) then one more loss by the swept team opens up the spot. So I'm guessing you'd want Chicago to sweep since the Packers have a tie on their record.

It might be that even with a loss, Dallas can sneak in. More wheels would need to turn the right ways...but it would be possible. Five weeks can change a season.

It would be crazy if it came down to a tie with GB and somehow we eliminated them.

 

[gimmesix]

The 49ers aren't great this year...on either side of the ball. It's unlikely that GB or Chi will sweep...so that means ONE of them will need to drop two additional games. NFC North really is the big wildcard, since we don't know how Green Bay and Chicago matchup. I'd put my money on Love since Williams is less experienced and less accurate. But who knows. Chicago just might be in the Cinderella coach this year...soft schedule and all. But if Green Bay sweeps them...or vice versa (which I don't foresee) then one more loss by the swept team opens up the spot. So I'm guessing you'd want Chicago to sweep since the Packers have a tie on their record.

It might be that even with a loss, Dallas can sneak in. More wheels would need to turn the right ways...but it would be possible. Five weeks can change a season.

Yeah, there's some pretty big matchups for some of the contenders down the stretch. We have on paper our toughest remaining games in the next couple of weeks, but we may have to wait until the final couple of weeks to know our fate no matter if we win. That Seattle-San Fran game the final week might loom large.

 

[Bobhaze]

Is it really? After Detroit it is not difficult at all.

Careful. Looking at any NFL schedule and saying, “It doesn’t look difficult at all” is dangerous.

Arizona didn’t look too difficult. Their only win the last 8 games is us. The bengals have wins against the seabags and the ravens. The dolphins embarrassed the bills. Nothing is certain.

 

[Chasing6]

Careful. Looking at any NFL schedule and saying, “It doesn’t look difficult at all” is dangerous.

Arizona didn’t look too difficult. Their only win the last 8 games is us. The bengals have wins against the seabags and the ravens. The dolphins embarrassed the bills. Nothing is certain.

Not the same team.

 

[Cowboy4evr]

Winning out - It’s a very tall order. Not impossible. But difficult. This team will have a chance to do something special. A chance.

Winning consistently has not been their strength. Let's hope the team wants it as much as the fans!

 

[kramskoi]

Not the same team.

They can prove it by corralling Gibbs and Montgomery...who look to be a HUGE part of the offense Thursday night. If Dallas can "limit" that duo and win the turnover battle I think they win. I fully expect Dan Campbell to go buck wild with his fourth down gambles. When he does, the defense needs to make him pay. Fake punts...sneaky on-side kicks...funky formations...trick plays...he will empty the tank...mostly because he knows that Lamb and Pickens are probably going to get theirs. I'm hoping that (for once) Prescott can get the offense on the scoreboard early and avoid a first quarter INT or fumble. That's part of his game that he needs to clean up. Play downhill for a change.

 

[gimmesix]

Careful. Looking at any NFL schedule and saying, “It doesn’t look difficult at all” is dangerous.

Arizona didn’t look too difficult. Their only win the last 8 games is us. The bengals have wins against the seabags and the ravens. The dolphins embarrassed the bills. Nothing is certain.

I think the Chargers might be the most difficult game left on our schedule. I won't be surprised if we lose to Detroit, since we are on the road, but the Lions are pretty banged up while we're close to as healthy as we've been this year. However, that may depend on whether Herbert can play for LA. Our luck is he'll miss the Eagles game and be out there against us.

 

[gimmesix]

Not the same team.

It's not, but it's tough to win out the back half of the season. I mean, the Rams got submarined by that same Panthers team that beat us earlier this year.