DMN: NFC playoff picture: What's the landscape if Cowboys win? Lose?

[jobberone]

NFC playoff picture: What's the landscape if Cowboys win? Lose?

SPORTSDAYDFW.COM Published: 13 December 2014 01:41 PM

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Vernon Bryant/Staff Photographer
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Anthony Hitchens (59) talks to the defense before a play during the second half of play at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Sunday, November 2, 2014. The Dallas Cowboys lost to the Arizona Cardinals 28-17. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)

As we head into Week 15, the Cowboys remain in the thick of the NFC playoff race. Here's a look at the current NFC playoff standings:

1. Arizona (11-3): NFC West Champion

2. Green Bay (9-3): NFC North Champion

3. Philadelphia (9-4): NFC East Champion

4. Atlanta (5-8): NFC South Champion

5. Seattle (9-4): Wildcard #1

6. Detroit (9-4): Wildcard #2

A Cowboys win against the Eagles gives them the lead in the NFC East with two weeks ago. The win wouldn't guarantee them a playoff spot, but would put them on the cusp of it.

If you want to simplify things, your rooting guide ends there.

But whether it's a win or a loss, what happens in a couple other games this week could determine seeding and/or whether Dallas makes it at all.

Here's the rooting guide for the Cowboys this week:

Green Bay (10-3) at Buffalo (7-6), 1 p.m.

Root for: Buffalo. If the Cowboys lose to the Eagles, the only way the Cowboys can surpass the Packers is if Dallas wins it's final two games and the Green Bay loses it's final three. (If the teams are tied Green Bay would have the tiebreaker based on either strength of victory or win percentage in conference games).

If the Cowboys beat the Eagles, they need the Bills to win to increase their chances securing a first-round bye. It doesn't matter if the Packers lose their next two and Detroit wins its next two, they win the NFC North if they beat the Lions on Week 17. Should the Packers and Cowboys both win their respective divisions and finish with the same record, Green Bay would still hold the tiebreaker based on either strength of victory or win percentage. With Green Bay facing Tampa Bay next week, this game is the more likely of the two to give the Cowboys an opening to finish a game ahead.

Minnesota (6-7) at Detroit (9-4), 3:25 p.m.

Root for: Minnesota. This is the most important game for the Cowboys this week outside of their own. Since Detroit and Dallas don't play this year, a tiebreaker involving them — whether it's just those two teams or more — will come down to conference record. The Cowboys are 6-4 against the NFC. The Lions are 7-2. The winner of the Detroit vs. Green Bay game in Week 17 will likely determine the NFC North. A Vikings win increases the possibility of the Cowboys finishing with a better record than the Lions even if Dallas loses on Sunday. Should Dallas and Detroit finish tied for a wildcard spot, Detroit would win the tiebreaker based on record in the conference.

San Francisco (7-6) at Seattle (9-4), 3:25 p.m.

Root for: San Francisco, because of both the record and the tiebreakers. The 49ers have a head-to-head edge over the Cowboys, but Seattle is 7-2 in conference while San Francisco is 6-4.

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[jobberone]

I'm rooting for Dallas today because that's the game we play. Win that and I can really start thinking ahead.

 

[JoeKing]

Today will seem longer to me, anticipating the game tonight in Philly. I'm not a patient Cowboys fan and I am dreading the anticlimactic let down of a Cowboys loss... for all practical purposes, the season would be over.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

I'm rooting for Dallas today because that's the game we play. Win that and I can really start thinking ahead.

Its the only game in the NFL that matters today. We win and we are fine and well on our way to the post season. We lose and we start digging our own hole and prob show we dont deserve to go. We cant ask for any more than this. We control our own destiny and its up to us.

What more could you ask for?

 

[dstovall5]

I'll just root for Dallas and let the chips fall wherever they may.

 

[Staubacher]

We want Green Bay playing for something on their final game versus Detroit in week 17.

 

[Risen Star]

We want Green Bay playing for something on their final game versus Detroit in week 17.

They are pretty much already guaranteed to be.

 

[Risen Star]

I'll just root for Dallas and let the chips fall wherever they may.

Pretty much what I do. Especially when your team controls it's own destiny.

 

[jobberone]

Its the only game in the NFL that matters today. We win and we are fine and well on our way to the post season. We lose and we start digging our own hole and prob show we dont deserve to go. We cant ask for any more than this. We control our own destiny and its up to us.

What more could you ask for?

Well, I want a 911. I want this Dolphin 460 catamaran. I need some dental work. I have two children I want to donate to charity so I can stop being one. I want a rebreather and new SCUBA gear with a new speargun as well. That's all. I don't want to be greedy.

 

[Alweezy]

Its the only game in the NFL that matters today. We win and we are fine and well on our way to the post season. We lose and we start digging our own hole and prob show we dont deserve to go. We cant ask for any more than this. We control our own destiny and its up to us.

What more could you ask for?

That Buffalo, Minnesota, and San Francisco win.

 

[Avery]

Hard not to look back at that Falcons/Lions game back in London and commence the rueing.

 

[Fredd]

I'll just root for Dallas and let the chips fall wherever they may.

Here's to hoping he falls hard

 

[Tabascocat]

Well, I want a 911. I want this Dolphin 460 catamaran. I need some dental work. I have two children I want to donate to charity so I can stop being one. I want a rebreather and new SCUBA gear with a new speargun as well. That's all. I don't want to be greedy.

Got my eye on this bad boy........I will look like a storm trooper

 

[jazzcat22]

I know the consensus is, take care of our own game first.
But that is a night game. So we all need something to do to lead up to game time.
So may as well keep an eye on all these games.

 

[Kevinicus]

I am not sure about the GB game. I think it is far more likely them losing the division to Detroit (at 12-4) would be a path to a wildcard (with dal and sea also at 11-5) than them losing out. So a loss might actually hurt.