Although the Cowboys lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars during their Week 15 game, they could still clinch a playoff spot with losses from the Seahawks and Commanders. With the Cowboys clinching the playoffs, it marks the first time since 2007 in franchise history that the team goes back-to-back in the playoffs. But this playoff spot comes with a lot of turmoil with the fanbase and looming doubt about the team’s future this year. However, let’s look into everything you need to know about the future of the playoffs.

Matchup Prediction

If nothing, the Eagles do not have a full-blown meltdown at the end of the season without quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Cowboys will likely be the 5th seed in the playoffs, with the most likely opponent being the Buccaneers led by Tom Brady. The Cowboy’s recent history with the Buccaneers has been awful with the past two matchups lost. The last win during 2018 was a 27-20 win in Week 16. Their previous matchup is the one that hurts the Cowboy’s looks, with them only scoring 3 points against them. But at last, these two teams have taken dramatically different paths this season. With the Cowboys winning games throughout the season, the 8-8 Buccaneers have been struggling to defeat formidable rivals.

It is also worth noting that all other teams in the NFC South have a chance of making the playoff this year. The last thing to note is that the last time a 5th seed team won the Superbowl was only two years ago. Ironically, it was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they crushed the Chiefs to win Super Bowl 2021.

Odds

Since my last article about the Dallas Cowboys, the odds of the Cowboys winning the Superbowl have dropped dramatically, with their current odds standing at 8% on FiveThirtyEight. According to VegasInsider, the Cowboy have the 6th best chance of winning the Superbowl with +1100 odds. They have the 3rd best chance in the NFC behind the Eagles (+450 — +500) and 49ers ( +575 — +700).

Even though the Cowboys will not be the 1st seed, the Eagles will most likely take this feat. Since the adoption of the 16-game format for the playoffs in 1978, there have been 88 fifth seeds, and out of those teams, only two have won those (2020 Buccaneers and 2007 Giants). According to CBS sports:

“Being the No. 5 seed is the hardest path toward Super Bowl glory”

– CBSsports.com (2020) by: Jeff Kerr

For the 1st overall team (most likely Eagles), the recording for teams winning the Superbowl is currently 22-5. The last time this happened was in 2019, with the New England Patriots beating the Los Angeles Rams. For 1st seeds, the odds are a bit better, with 1990 32 making the Superbowl and 14 of them winning it all, giving the static a 62-14 chance.

Players’ Performance

Let’s get the elephant out of the room. Dak Prescott has been performing very poorly throughout this season. Since his return, he has thrown an interception in every game, giving him 11 to 17 touchdowns. His QBR rating is the lowest in his career, with a 55 that edges out his 2018 season, where he had a 55.2. This season has been terrible for a quarterback who gets paid 40 million dollars. On the opposite side of the fence, CeeDee Lamb has been performing very elite this season, having the 8th most receiving yards at 1,087 yards. The Cowboys’ running aspect of the offense with Tony Pollard has comfortably become the best Cowboy running back with the 9th most yards in the league with 969 yards. On the other hand, Zeke has been performing fairly this season with 774 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. 

On the defensive side of the Cowboys, Micah Parsons has been performing at the highest level in the NFL. He has outstanding odds of taking home the defensive player of the year in only his second year in the NFL. Trevon Diggs has also been secretly playing great throughout this season. Even though he only has three interceptions this year, he has been locking down almost every receiver he has guarded. Additionally, players like Justin Jefferson, Terry McLaurin, and Ja’Marr Chase have been limited to only a few yards of offense. The Cowboy’s defense is 2nd in both sacks and turnovers (behind the Eagles in both categories).

Conclusion

Since writing my last article about the Cowboys, they are currently 3-1. Their last game is against their division rival the Washington Commanders in a week 18 matchup, This game will prepare the Cowboys if they are genuinely legit or were just pretenders this only time.

My Prediction

The Cowboys will be able to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If they do not play the Eagles in the divisional round, they will make the NFC Championship, a feat they have not done since 1995. But, the Cowboys will lose in the conference championship (most likely to the Eagles) and not make the Superbowl this year. 

Stay tuned to The Roundup for more Dallas Cowboys news!