How Likely Is it for the Cowboys to Make the Playoffs?

By Adam Collins

​I’m going to be honest, there’s a lot that needs to happen for the Cowboys to make the playoffs this year.  Who would think a 10-6 team could miss the playoffs…
 
Here’s what needs to happen:

• Cowboys win last 2 games (Seattle, Philly)
• Lions lose at least 1 game (Cincy, Green Bay)
• At least one of the NFC South teams (Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans) loses final 2 games

 
So the first bullet point is definitely in our control, but beyond that it’s up in the air.  Now if the Cowboys can win their last 2 games and miss the playoffs, we can’t be that upset with a 10-6 season after Goodell wrongfully suspended Zeke for 6 games…  We would definitely have a ton of momentum heading into the offseason and next year, finishing on a 5 game win streak.
 
For the second thing that needs to happen, you may be wondering why a 10-6 Lions team would get the tiebreaker over a 10-6 Cowboys team.  The reason is because of the tiebreaker system.  The first tiebreaker is overall record, which both teams would be 10-6.  The next tiebreaker is divisional record, which both teams would be 5-1.  Unfortunately, the third tiebreaker is record vs. common opponents, which is in favor of Detroit.  This is why we need the Lions to lose one of their final two games. Let’s hope Cincy can strike gold this week or that the Packers actually play Aaron Rodgers in Week 17.
 
The last thing that needs to happen may seem the most farfetched, but I think it’s actually more likely to happen than the Lions losing.  Why you may ask?  The Falcons just came off a close win on Monday Night to the Bucs, and now they have to play New Orleans and Carolina in their final two games.  This is our best bet in this situation, so root against the Falcons the next two weeks, unless they win this week and then root for the Saints to lose in Week 17.
 
So many things can happen and if the Cowboys can sneak in the playoffs, all bets are off.  It’s not likely, but crazier things have happened.