How The Dallas Cowboys Can Still Make The Playoffs Ahead Of Week 14

The 2024 Dallas Cowboys season has been tumultuous, yet the team still has a mathematical path to the postseason. Nick Mariano explores how America's Team, which approaches Week 14 at 5-7, can still make the playoffs.

The 2024 Dallas Cowboys’ playoff chances have gone from almost certainly dead to mostly dead thanks to a two-game win streak extended by a convincing win over the Giants on Thanksgiving.

Beating Drew Lock’s ragtag Giants doesn’t move the needle much on paper, but it builds confidence. They also showed an improved form that may not all be reduced to simply facing the G-Men.

While the NFC East is in Philadelphia’s hands, that final Wild Card spot remains within mathematical reach. Washington currently occupies the slot at 8-5 (they’re on bye in Week 14) but the Cowboys beat them, and they’ve often struggled against winning teams. So, what needs to happen for the Cowboys to overtake them?

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The Cowboys' Season Through 13 Weeks

Dallas began the season with a 33-17 victory over Deshaun Watson's Browns before the roller-coaster of inconsistency and injuries hit. However, a Week 5 win over Pittsburgh put them at 3-2 with a playoff-caliber victory. Unfortunately, a 47-9 shellacking by Detroit would follow, which kicked off a five-game losing streak during which they lost Dak Prescott to a season-ending hamstring injury.

Prescott and CeeDee Lamb's chemistry looked off and rushing with Ezekiel Elliott went nowhere. Star ends/edge rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons got hurt before Week 5, with Lawrence still out and Parsons returning in Week 10. Defensive back Trevon Diggs hurt his groin in Week 11, with DaRon Bland returning from a broken foot in Week 12 to cover the loss.

Cowboys players to miss time due to injuries this season: Dak Prescott, Brandin Cooks, Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, Demarcus Lawrence, Jake Ferguson, Daron Bland, Caelen Carson, Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, Tyler Guyton, Zack Martin, Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas.

— DR ⭐️ (12-4) (@MicahOwnsYou) December 2, 2024

But they've won their last two games. At 5-7, the Cowboys almost surely need to secure four wins to reach 9-8 for an outside chance at the postseason. Dallas knows best that No. 7 seeds are dangerous considering they lost to the No. 7 Packers last year. Let's find out how they can get there.

Analyzing The Cowboys' Remaining Games & Playoff Path

The Cowboys’ next test comes on Monday Night Football at home against Joe Burrow and the Bengals. Trevon Diggs was part of the team’s practice walkthrough on Wednesday and has a chance to play on Monday.

Diggs famously limited Ja'Marr Chase to two catches for 14 yards back in 2022 and Chase has not forgotten. Can a healthy DB duo of Diggs and DaRon Bland limit Chase and Tee Higgins? They must buy enough time for Micah Parsons and company to get to Burrow.

Trevon Diggs vs Ja'Marr Chase in 2022

2 catches allowed🔒
14 yards allowed🔒
Game saving tackle 🔥pic.twitter.com/EdPdOYUg6S

— Fatb0lous (@Fatb0lous) December 4, 2024

Then comes a road game at Carolina where Bryce Young’s return to the lineup has helped, though a win remains well within reach. Again, the defensive pressure will dictate things. Teams like Tampa Bay suffered by not having good coverage to pair with its blitzes, but Dallas can do so.

Speaking of the Bucs, Week 16 sees Dallas host Tampa Bay in a game with potentially massive Wild Card implications. The Bucs are currently 6-6 and have a friendly remaining strength of schedule, so a victory here goes a long way toward leapfrogging the Bucs.

There’s no avoiding the peril presented in a Week 17 road date with the Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas will need Lawrence back and DT Osa Odighizuwa at his best to deal with Saquon Barkley. If they limit the ground game and force Jalen Hurts into mistaken throws, then perhaps there is a chance to grind out the win if Cooper Rush can lead just enough scoring drives…but probably not.

All of this sets up a potential win-and-in Week 18 rematch with the Commanders. Another win would earn the outright tiebreaker advantage over Washington, which could land the WC slot. There’s also a chance that if the Bucs were otherwise successful, they simply take the NFC South and it’s the fading 6-6 Falcons who Dallas must beat out alongside Washington for the spot.

All told, this would remain an improbable run. That ~1% chance is the difference between improbable and impossible. They’d have to play their hearts out and get help along the way.

The Cowboys team of the last two weeks must roll the momentum into improved health, disciplined play, and good decision-making/time management from coaching to break into the playoff scene. It all begins with MNF against the Bengals!

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