How Can the Cowboys Still Reach the Playoffs After Losing to Vikings

The Dallas Cowboys lost 34-26 against the Vikings in Week 15, leaving their playoff qualification chance to just 1%.

How Can the Cowboys Still Reach the Playoffs After Losing to Vikings

Dak Prescott (Image via IMAGO)

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Fret not, Dallas Cowboys fans, there’s still hope for the team yet. Despite losing to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15, the Cowboys’ chances of qualifying for the playoffs may have dimmed, but they haven’t diminished.

The Cowboys looked like a playoff-bound team after wins against the Eagles and the Chiefs in back-to-back weeks. The Lions humbled the Dallas franchise last week by putting up 44 points, dropping the Cowboys’ playoff chances to 22% as they prepare to take on the Vikings this Sunday.

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ task became harder with the Eagles recording a blowout 31-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. They remained the 5.5 favorites, but Vegas odds matter little when the referee starts the game.

The Cowboys took the lead through a touchdown by Javonte Williams and raced to a 23-17 lead midway through the third quarter despite Brandon Aubrey missing two 50+ field goals. JJ McCarthy, who had recorded 10 interceptions over his previous seven games, threw another at AT&T Stadium but offset it with three total touchdowns, two passing and one rushing, leading to a 34-26 upset victory.

Remarkably, the Cowboys remain in contention, unlike the Chiefs, who have been eliminated from the playoffs. According to ESPN research, the 6-7-1 Cowboys have a 1% chance of squeezing in.

However, the road won’t be easy. Prescott’s Cowboys must win their remaining three games: the 10-4 Los Angeles Chargers, the 4-10 Washington Commanders, and the 2-12 New York Giants. On top of that, the Eagles would need to drop their last three games: facing the Commanders twice and the 10-4 Buffalo Bills.

If the Cowboys pull off the impossible, then they will not only play postseason football but will also win the NFC East division. Of course, the Eagles need to its part as well in this scenario, which has very low probability.

The Cowboys’ defense let the team down once again

Winning games in the National Football League is no easy feat. A team needs a balanced roster to get the job done week in and week out. Dallas boasts one of the best offenses in the league, spearheaded by Prescott, Williams, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens. They have averaged a league high 394.9 yards per game and scored 42 total touchdowns before facing the Vikings.

How Can the Cowboys Still Reach the Playoffs After Losing to Vikings
Dak Prescott (Image via IMAGO)

The Cowboys scored 26 on the night, but allowed 34. According to Bobby Felt of 105.3 The Fan, eight teams have scored 30+ points against them this season: the Giants, the Bears, the Packers, the Panthers, the Broncos, the Cardinals, the Lions, and the Vikings.

Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was already under immense pressure, and after this result, his position on the team will undoubtedly be evaluated.

The adjustments that we should be making should be with the next year [in mind], these next three games in mind. They should not be made- and with three games left in a short time, we’ve got to play’em in; then that will impact any adjustments that you make regarding coaching. The timeframe we’re dealing with. That’s a legit question.

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said

The Cowboys blitzed McCarthy nearly on every play in the first quarter and forced a turnover. It gradually decreased as the game went on, allowing McCarthy to take control. If Eberflus had asked the pass rush to pressure the second-year signal caller regularly, then perhaps he would have made more mistakes. It did not happen.

Jerry has a tough call ahead, but based on his comments, he may hold off on firing Eberflus for now. That means Eberflus needs to shore up the defense before facing the Chargers in the next game.

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