Can the Dallas Cowboys still make the playoffs? Exploring permutations and combinations after 3-5 start to season
The Dallas Cowboys suffered a 27-21 road loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday to fall to 3-5 on the season. Dallas is now in third place in the NFC East and its playoff hopes are very much in question.
The Cowboys entered the season with not just playoff hopes but Super Bowl aspirations. However, Dallas has struggled mightily and now the playoffs seem unlikely.
Sportskeeda's NFL playoff predictor tool doesn't have the Cowboys making the playoffs.
Instead, it has Dallas finishing the season 5-12 with its other two wins predicted against the Houston Texans in Week 11 and against the New York Giants in Week 13.
The Cowboys would end up selecting eighth overall if they end up with that record.
Entering the 2024 NFL season, Dallas had the 20th-hardest schedule in the league. But, the Cowboys have had their struggles and Dallas still has notable games against Philadelphia (twice), Houston, Washington (twice), Cincinnati and Tampa Bay left.
If Dallas is going to make the playoffs, the Cowboys would need to sweep the Eagles and Commanders which would put their record in divisional play at 5-0. The Cowboys likely can only afford to lose one more game as 10-11 wins is generally needed to make the playoffs.
But, the easiest way to make the playoffs is wining the division, which will require Dallas to likely win out, and Philadelphia and Washington to go around .500 down the stretch.
Dallas is also given odds of +300, which implies a 25% chance of making the postseason, despite the slow start.
Jerry Jones 'concerned' about Cowboys
Dallas has struggled out of the gates, and in the loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb suffered injuries.
Prescott missed time as Cooper Rush replaced him and the QB said it's up in the air if he will be able to play on Sunday against the Eagles.
With Prescott suffering an injury and Dallas off to a 3-5 start, owner Jerry Jones admits he is concerned.
"Well, I am concerned about that," Jones said, via DailyMail. "It concerned me when I saw the play, when I saw him have a reaction and any weakness that he might have had there. We just have to take a look at that.
"I'll be very candid with you, we've got to give Rush a little positive here, not a little. He came in there and I am proud of him. I thought he played well."
If Dallas has any chance of making the playoffs, Dak Prescott will need to be under center as he is the team's best quarterback.
The Cowboys will return to the field on Sunday at home against the Philadelphia Eagles.