After winning 12 games in each of the last three seasons, the Dallas Cowboys have taken a significant step backward right after giving lucrative contracts to stars Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
Now, Prescott is out for the season with a hamstring injury, and Mike McCarthy is on the hot seat. Can the Cowboys salvage their season and make the playoffs after their victory over the Commanders in Week 12?
Can the Cowboys Make the Playoffs?
Heading into Week 13, the Dallas Cowboys are 4-7 and now have a 3.5% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a <0.1% chance for the 1 seed, a <0.1% chance for the second seed, a <0.1% chance for the third seed, a <0.1% chance for the fourth seed, a 0.1% chance for the fifth seed, a 0.6% chance for the sixth seed, and a 2.7% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Cowboys Win the NFC East?
Here’s what the NFC East race looks like after all the action in Week 12:
- The Philadelphia Eagles have a 92.1% chance to win the NFC East.
- The Washington Commanders have a 7.8% chance to win the NFC East.
- The Dallas Cowboys have a <0.1% chance to win the NFC East.
- The New York Giants have a <0.1% chance to win the NFC East.
Current NFC East Standings
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
- Washington Commanders (7-5)
- Dallas Cowboys (4-7)
- New York Giants (2-9)
NFC Playoff Race After Week 14
1. Detroit Lions (12-1)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)
3. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
5. Minnesota Vikings (11-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (9-4)
7. Washington Commanders (8-5)
In The Hunt
8. Los Angeles Rams (7-6)
9. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
10. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-7)
12. New Orleans Saints (5-8)
13. Dallas Cowboys (5-8)
14. Chicago Bears (4-9)
15. Carolina Panthers (3-10)
Eliminated From Playoffs
16. New York Giants (2-11)
Cowboys’ Super Bowl Chances in Week 12
Can the Cowboys win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Dallas has a <0.1% chance to win it all.
Cowboys’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 13: vs. New York Giants
- Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 15: at Carolina Panthers
- Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 17: at Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 18: vs. Washington Commanders
What PFN Predicted for the Cowboys vs. Commanders Matchup
Cooper Rush played better against the Texans on Monday night, but it was a very low bar. Either way, the Cowboys are playing out a lost season. Their plan certainly wasn’t to have Rush attempt 55 passes, but when your backfield consists of Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, and Deuce Vaughn, what exactly are the choices?
It’s difficult to see how this game will be competitive. The Commanders have lost two straight but are coming off an extended rest, having played on Thursday night in Week 11. Jayden Daniels hasn’t been running as much but should feel much better this week, as he further gets over his rib injury.
Since Dak Prescott went down, Rush has started two games. The Cowboys have scored 16 total points, scoring one touchdown. Even that touchdown was mostly a fluke, with the Texans’ safety botching the coverage, allowing Kavontae Turpin to take an eight-yard slant for all of the yards.
Last year’s Commanders had one of the worst pass defenses in NFL history. This year’s version has been far better, allowing just 184.9 passing yards per game.
How will the Commanders beat the Cowboys this week? However they want. They’re 24th in defensive EPA per dropback and 30th in defensive rush success rate. Look for Brian Robinson Jr. to have his best game in weeks, possibly scoring multiple times.
Through the air, the Commanders may look to get Terry McLaurin going after he was limited to one catch against the Eagles.
With the Commanders as 10.5-point home favorites and the game carrying a 45.5-point total, it would not be a surprise to see the afternoon end with Trey Lance on the field for the Cowboys.
PFN Prediction: Commanders 31, Cowboys 13