The Dallas Cowboys have a winning record for the first time all season after a thrilling win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving. This was another signature victory for the Cowboys in a span of four days after beating the Philadelphia Eagles in the previous week, giving them back-to-back wins over the Super Bowl 59 finalists.
Dallas played at a high level throughout the game against the Chiefs on both sides of the ball and was in complete control in the second half. This turnaround in play has been sudden and has happened for a variety of reasons.
The biggest reason is the defensive improvement after the trade deadline with the acquisitions of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson, on top of getting healthier with the return of stud disruptor DeMarvion Overshown and rookie cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.
Currently sitting in the ninth seed in the NFC playoff picture as of Sunday morning, the Cowboys' postseason outlook is still uncertain. At the same time, that doesn't mean they can't take an unlikely path to a playoff berth.
Cowboys' Playoff Berth Isn't a Pipe Dream
The Cowboys actually have a couple of different pathways to qualifying for the playoffs; however, they all require them winning out the rest of the way to end up at 11-5-1. Winning eight games in a row to end the season is a tough task, to say the least, but the Cowboys have already won three, including a pair against high-level opponents.
The only opponent left on the schedule that would be considered a strong challenge to defeat would be the Detroit Lions this upcoming Thursday. At the same time, the Lions aren't exactly untouchable, as they've dropped three of their last five games since their bye week and have dropped back-to-back outings at Ford Field.
Assuming the Cowboys win out and beat the Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders, they could go from barely sneaking into the postseason to potentially jumping the Eagles for the NFC East lead.
Cowboys Will Need Some Help From NFC Teams
As great as it'd be to see the Cowboys decide their own fate, that's out of the question. They'll need a hand or two from their fellow NFC franchises.
One of the likely pathways is the Chicago Bears losing three games. This would ensure a wild-card spot for the Cowboys. Although Chicago is flying high at 9-3 after beating the Eagles, they play the 8-3-1 Green Bay Packers twice before playing at San Francisco and wrapping up against the Lions. Dallas would need them to lose three out of those four, which could happen.
The Cowboys could win the division if the Eagles lose two games, and that is possible considering the way Philly is currently playing, along with two tough road games coming up against the 7-4 Chargers on Monday Night Football and in Buffalo against the Bills on Dec. 28.
It'd also be helpful if one team from the NFC West struggles its way to the finish line. That is the San Francisco 49ers or the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers would have to lose two games while the Seahawks would have to lose three. Neither team has the easiest of schedules remaining, with Seattle owning the sixth-hardest remaining slate while San Francisco ranks 12th, per Tankathon.
Starting with the 49ers, they are currently in the seventh seed with an 8-4 record. San Francisco plays the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football on the road on Dec. 22, while hosting the Bears on Sunday Night Football the following weekend. The 49ers then take on the Seahawks at home in the last game of the season. Those are three possible games they could lose, which would work in the Cowboys' favor.
With the Seahawks, they also take on the Colts but at home on Dec. 14. Seattle then faces the current no. 1 seed in the NFC in the Los Angeles Rams the following weekend and wrap up with the 49ers in Week 18. Those are three games they could lose.
The reality is that if the Cowboys can continue to play good football and win out, they will have a great shot at making the postseason. Some help from their fellow NFC teams would help, too, making the 2025 NFL regular season's final stretch something to monitor closely.