Doomsday scenario: How the Cowboys could blow the NFC East and miss the playoffs
The Dallas Cowboys aren’t in a good place, at least looking from the outside in.
But the Cowboys’ postseason chances appear solid barring a total collapse the final four games of the season.
Of course, whether they do anything in the playoffs is a whole other matter. If their recent trend continues they don’t look capable of a deep playoff run.
But as for winning the NFC East, which they currently hold a two-game lead on the Philadelphia Eagles? That is likely to come down to the Dec. 22 game in Philly.
Even if the Cowboys (6-6) lose Thursday night to the Bears in Chicago, they’d still control their own destiny if they beat the Eagles on Dec. 22. That would give them a two-game sweep and tie-breaking advantage over Philly.
The problem for Dallas, however, is the Eagles, despite their own struggles — they lost to the lowly Dolphins last week — have a cupcake schedule the final month of the season. They play the Giants (2-10) twice, the Redskins (3-9) and Cowboys. If they go 3-1, they’ll finish 8-8. The Eagles appear to need a win against the Cowboys at first glance, but actually they don’t even have to do that and still claim the division. The Cowboys have a tougher finish with the Bears (6-6), Rams (7-5), Eagles (5-7) and Redskins (3-9). If the Cowboys go 1-3 (with a loss to the Eagles) and finish 7-9, Philly could swipe the division with a 3-1 finish and 8-8 record.
The point to all of this? If you thought the Cowboys had hit rock bottom with consecutive losses in 2019, it actually get worse. Much worse.
Cowboys (6-6)
Dec. 5 at Bears (6-6)
Dec. 15 vs. Rams (7-5)
Dec. 22 at Eagles (5-7)
Dec. 29 vs. Redskins (3-9)
Eagles (5-7)
Dec. 9 vs. Giants (2-10)
Dec. 15 at Redskins (3-9)
Dec. 22 vs. Cowboys (6-6)
Dec. 29 at Giants (2-10)
