As much as they don't deserve to smell the playoffs, the Cowboys will clinch at least the #6 seed with a win over the Eagles next week at Philadelphia. The Cowboys can thank the San Diego Chargers for giving Dallas one last hope to make the playoffs.
A Dallas win improves the Cowboys' final regular season record to 10-6, and Dallas will either have a better record or will win all tiebreakers against the remaining NFC playoff contenders other than Atlanta. The Cowboys could clinch the #5 seed if the Falcons somehow lost to the Rams, which isn't going to happen.
Here is a look at the NFC playoff race as of right now:
1. N.Y. Giants (currently 12-3): Clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
2. Carolina (currently 11-4): The Panthers could still lose the NFC
South with a loss next week to the Saints coupled with an Atlanta win.
A win by Carolina means that the Panthers have clinched a first-round
bye with the second seed.
3. Minnesota (currently 9-6): The Vikings will clinch the NFC North
with a Chicago loss in the Bears' final two games (including a Monday
night game vs. Green Bay) or a Vikings win over the Giants.
4. Arizona (8-7): The Cardinals will be the #4 seed no matter what.
Wildcards:
5. Atlanta (10-5): The Falcons could win the NFC South, but they have at least wrapped up a wildcard spot.
6. Dallas (9-6): Dallas either gets in with a win or ends the season with a loss.
7. Tampa Bay (9-6): The Buccaneers get in with a win and a
Philadelphia loss. Tampa Bay beat both Chicago and Minnesota, so the
Buccaneers will beat either team for a playoff spot if they are tied.
8. Philadelphia (8-6-1): The Eagles need to beat the Cowboys had hope
for losses by Tampa Bay and Chicago (assuming the Bears beat the
Packers on Sunday).
Thus, if Dallas, Atlanta, and Carolina win, the Panthers would be #2 at 12-4, the Falcons would be #5 at 11-5, and the Cowboys would be #6 at 10-6.
If the Panthers lost but the Cowboys and Falcons won, then Atlanta would be #2 at 11-5, the Panthers would be #5 at 11-5, and the Cowboys would be #6 at 10-6.
If the Panthers and Falcons lost but Dallas won, then Carolina would be #2 at 11-5, Dallas would be #5 at 10-6, and Atlanta would be #6 at 10-6.
A Dallas loss means that the #6 spot could go to Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, or Chicago. The only other possibility would be if Dallas tied Philadelphia and Tampa Bay and Chicago both lost. In that circumstance, Dallas would take the #6 seed.
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