The Dallas Cowboys are 10-3 heading into Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills and need to win if they want to keep higher playoff seeding possible.
The Cowboys are still in prime position to make a postseason run, but the seeding across the NFC remains a mystery. They can clinch a playoff berth this weekend with a win.
With the help of PFN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, we can scope out different scenarios for how the rest of the season could play out for the Cowboys.
Cowboys Playoff Chances | Week 15 Update
Note that this article was originally published on Dec. 17 at 6 a.m. ET before. The results of this week’s games are below and will continue to be updated throughout the day.
After Monday Night Football in Week 15, the Cowboys are back to the NFC East lead and the No. 2 seed in the NFC despite their loss on Sunday in Buffalo.
Sunday Games Update
Panthers (2-12) defeated Falcons (6-8)
Buccaneers (7-7) defeated Packers (6-8)
Saints (7-7) defeated Giants (5-9)
Browns (9-5) defeated Bears (5-9)
Bills (8-6) defeated Cowboys (10-4)
Rams (7-7) defeated Commanders (4-10)
49ers (11-3) defeated Cardinals (3-11)
Monday Night Football Update
Seahawks (7-7) defeated Eagles (10-4)
Keep reading below to see the playoff scenarios for the Cowboys entering Week 15. And head over to PFN’s free NFL Playoff Predictor to test various scenarios and see how they change the playoff picture.
Can the Dallas Cowboys Clinch Playoff Contention?
Ahead of Week 15, the Cowboys are the second seed in the NFC playoff picture because of their win over the Eagles last week.
In fact, here is what the rankings look like for the NFC playoff picture:
- San Francisco 49ers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Detroit Lions
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Minnesota Vikings
- Green Bay Packers
Although the Eagles and 49ers will still determine the fate of the Cowboys, they can still clinch a spot in the playoffs with a win over the Bills on Sunday.
Can the Cowboys Clinch the NFC East?
The Cowboys can still help themselves clinch the NFC East if they win the rest of the season.
However, the Eagles are now in a bind to win every game remaining on their schedule if they want to win the division. With both teams having a 10-3 record, this battle can go either way.
Keep in mind, the Cowboys play the Bills, Dolphins, Lions, and Commanders in their remaining schedule.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart
The Eagles have an easier path with their schedule, playing the Seahawks, Cardinals, and the Giants twice.
The issue would be that even if the Cowboys won out for the rest of the season, it wouldn’t matter if the Eagles beat the Giants in Week 16 or 18.
Both teams would need to end the regular season 14-3, and then NFL playoff tiebreakers would determine the fate of who would clinch the NFC East.
Can the Cowboys Clinch the NFC?
The Cowboys aren’t out of the count for winning the NFC.
It will be determined by how well the Eagles and 49ers play the next four games since two of the Cowboys’ losses came to them.
The Eagles play the Seahawks this week, which will be their most challenging game in the next four weeks.
Meanwhile, the 49ers play the Cardinals, which should be an easy win that keeps them in the lead if the Eagles lose.
So, for the Cowboys to help themselves, they must win out and beat the Bills on Sunday to avoid getting behind in the race once again.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!
