Do the Dallas Cowboys still have a shot at making the 2017 NFL Playoffs after defeating the Washington Redskins on Thursday Night Football in Week 13?
Coming into Week 13 of the 2017 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys had lost three consecutive games. Once 5-3 and seemingly destined for a Wild Card spot, they slipped below .500 and seemed out of it. Then came their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Washington Redskins.
After looking almost wholly inept for three-straight weeks, the Cowboys came out flat. However, they also forced some mistakes for the Redskins, including three first-half turnovers. That allowed Dak Prescott and the offense to finally get into a rhythm with Ezekiel Elliott still out of the lineup due to his suspension. In the end, they ran away from their rivals, winning 38-14.
Now the question on the minds of Dallas Cowboys fans everywhere is the same. Sitting at 6-6 on the season with four games remaining, can they still make the 2017 NFL Playoffs?
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Following the win over Washington, Dallas would be out of the playoffs if they started today. The Atlanta Falcons hold the final Wild Card spot with a record of 7-4 on the season. Even if they lose to the Vikings in Week 13, they’re going to be a game ahead of the Cowboys. However, that doesn’t mean that the Boys from Big D are going to be out of it.
Dallas’ final two games without Elliott are against the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders, two teams who have struggled big-time this season. That’s huge for them, and could result in two wins. Meanwhile, they’ll get their star running back in the lineup for their tough final two games as they take on the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. However, with Philly at 10-1 already, they could be resting in Week 17, which would be a godsend.
Meanwhile, the Falcons have a brutal schedule to finish the year. After the NFC North leading Vikings, they play the New Orleans Saints twice, the Bucs and then the Panthers. That’s not a stretch you have to feel good about, especially with how up and down Atlanta has been this season.
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So can the Cowboys make the NFL Playoffs? Absolutely. It’s not set in stone by any means. However, there is a foreseeable path to the postseason for this team, which didn’t seem likely after the three-game losing streak.