Cowboys playoff picture: Dallas picks up some, but not much, help in Week 14

The Dallas Cowboys remain mathematically alive for a playoff spot this NFL season. As this is the case we are continuing to have conversations about their standing within the NFC, where they are, what they need, so on and so forth. Obviously this season has been trying so it is possible that you prefer a different outcome. Please recognize that the following conversation pertains to the potential of this team reaching the postseason.

With our full and proper disclaimer now out of the way, Week 14 sort of stunk for the Dallas Cowboys. There were eight total things we were rooting for relative to the NFC side of things and only three of them went our way.

The bulk of the reason why we were rooting against the teams that we were was to eliminate would-be threats to NFC Wild Card positions so as to open up more opportunity for the Cowboys. It is certainly helpful that both the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals lost, but Green Bay’s defeat hardly helps in the same way. The Packers seem assured to take home at least one of the top Wild Card spots, if the Cowboys are going to squeeze themselves into this thing it is likely going to be as the final one.

Even though Arizona and Atlanta lost in Week 14 other Wild Card contenders in the Rams, 49ers and (to a lesser degree) the Saints all won. The Cowboys have a chance to pull even with Atlanta, Arizona and San Francisco on Monday night before heading to Carolina next Sunday.

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Thankfully next week offers a game between the Rams and 49ers (the first of the week on Thursday night) which means one of them will have to lose. Obviously (as noted) the Cowboys have dug themselves quite the hole to pull themselves out of this season, but if they can continue to stack wins then it is possible that enough chaos will unfold around them to make this a legitimate conversation.

The Cowboys will visit the Panthers next Sunday. It is possible that a week from today we are talking about a .500 football team. There is a bit to go between now and that hypothetical, but again things can happen quickly.

The next step for Dallas is on Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.