Three weeks ago, it seemed improbable the Cowboys could end up as anything but the No. 5 seed.
A dominant stretch by Dallas and two Eagles losses later, however, and the Cowboys could end the regular season in a position to host a playoff game.
Although Dallas doesn't control its own fate in this case, it does have a better shot than many would have anticipated.
The Cowboys can be first, second, or fifth seeds to end the year. The Sporting News looks at how they could land in each spot.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 18
How the Cowboys can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC
To get No. 1 in the NFC, the Cowboys don't need a ton of bells and whistles. Rather, they have to beat the Commanders while the Eagles lose to the Giants and the 49ers lose to the Cardinals.
Here's how the NFC standings shake out now:
| Team | Record |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 13-3 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 12-4 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 12-4 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8-8 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 12-4 |
The Cowboys are just a game back of the Eagles, and they would hold the tiebreaker in this scenario. They also take the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Vikings. Only the 49ers can wrest the No. 1 seed from the Cowboys if they're able to jump the Eagles.
MORE: NFL power rankings: Chiefs, 49ers overtake Eagles
How the Cowboys can clinch the No. 2 seed in the NFC
If the Cowboys win, the Eagles lose, and the 49ers win they will end up at No. 2. In this scenario, the outcome of the Vikings game is irrelevant as the Cowboys would win and hold the tiebreaker over them regardless.
How the Cowboys can get the No. 5 seed in the NFC
If the Cowboys come second in the NFC East, they will be the No. 5 seed. So, basically, if the Cowboys and Eagles win, or the Cowboys lose and the Eagles win, they'll be the first wild card team in the NFC.
Cowboys potential playoff matchups
The Cowboys have a relatively narrow range of potential playoff outcomes.
- Cowboys vs. Lions: Cowboys get the No. 2 seed, the Seahawks lose to the Rams, and the Lions beat the Packers.
- Cowboys vs. Seahawks: Cowboys get the No. 2 seed, Seahawks beat the Rams, and the Lion beat the Packers.
- Cowboys vs. Packers: Cowboys get the No. 2 seed, Packers beat the Lions.
- Cowboys at Buccaneers: Cowboys get the wild card spot.
- Cowboys first round bye.
While a first-round bye is, of course, the ideal scenario, the Cowboys should match up at least decently against any of their first-round opponents. The question is, quite simply: Can Mike McCarthy get his team over the hump in the postseason? Only time will tell, but it has to start against the Commanders this weekend.
