Winning the NFC East is now the Cowboys’ only playoff hope

After the dust settled on Sunday’s games, the Dallas Cowboys are left with just one path to the playoffs.

Win the NFC East.

Anything less won’t get it done. Dallas cannot catch any of the teams currently in the three wildcard slots.

At best, they could tie Green Bay, currently in the final wildcard slot, at 9-7-1. But the Packers will have the tie-breaker over the Cowboys by virtue of the better record against NFC opponents.

If either Detroit or Carolina slip by Green Bay, they would have to have 10 wins, and that too eliminates any chance of the Cowboys landing that last spot.

So it’s the NFC East title or bust.

To win the division, assuming Dallas wins out and finishes 9-7-1, the Philadelphia Eagles will need to lose all three of their remaining games.

The Eagles have two games against the struggling Washington Commanders. Getting Washington to beat the Eagles once is a hard ask.

Twice might be more of a miracle than anyone should be asking for, even assuming the Bills win their game against Philadelphia.

The Eagles play this Saturday evening against Washington. Dallas’ season could be officially over before they even take the field on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s how the NFC East looks after Week 15.

Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)

Brandon Aubrey started the night off with a bang, running for a first down to set up a Dallas touchdown on a fake field goal on Dallas’ first possession.

He wasn’t his usual self when it came to actually kicking a field goal though.

Aubrey finished four-of-six on field goals with a long of 41. But he missed from 51 and 59 yards.

Those are usually automatic kicks for him.

The Cowboys defense, as feared, turned J.J. McCarthy into Peyton Manning.

He even replicated Manning’s QB keeper for a touchdown against Dallas over a decade ago. Right down to how wide open his path to the endzone was.

It’s been that type of season for Dallas.

Minnesota is now 9-6 against the Cowboys when playing in Dallas, having won the last two at AT&T Stadium. Dallas still leads the series overall, 19-16, including playoff games.

The Cowboys are 1-1 against the Vikings in Week 15 contests.

Dallas dropped to 26-22 all-time in the 15th week and 12-10 when playing those games at home.

For the second time in team history, and for the second straight year, the Cowboys ended a game with a 34-26 final score.

Next Game: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Noon.

New York Giants (2-12)

The Giants and quarterback Jaxson Dart are still playing hard. They showed that on Sunday when they stayed in the game against the Commanders until the bitter end.

But New York is stuck at the bottom of the NFC East for the second-straight season.

If they lose out, it seems likely they’d end up with the No. 1 pick, depending on how the tie-breakers shake out.

At worst, they’d end up no worse than a top three pick in April. Given all the areas of need they’ll bring into 2026, they will need very talented players to snap their streak of division futility.

Next Game: vs. Minnesota, Sunday, Noon.

Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)

The Eagles were reeling, absorbing a three-game losing streak that was sending them tumbling down the playoff seeding.

It even brought the Cowboys back into the discussion for the divisional title.

Philadelphia got the best possible remedy for what ails them. They played the Las Vegas Raiders.

Then beat them like a rented mule on Sunday.

The 31-0 rout, with three touchdown passes from Jalen Hurts, was just what the doctor ordered.

The Eagles are now assured of a winning record. As their last three opponents are the Commanders, the Giants, and the Commanders, it may have assured them of the divisional title too.

Next Game: at Washington, Saturday, 4 p.m.

Washington Commanders (4-10)

At this point, Washington is just playing for pride. They held off the Giants, which isn’t saying much.

Marcus Mariota led the Commanders to the 29-21 win.

The Commanders have the Eagles, Cowboys, and then the Eagles in Philadelphia to close out the year.

With nothing to play for, they’d be well advised to shut down Jayden Daniels for the rest of the year. There is no reason to risk him re-injuring that elbow.

Next Game: vs. Philadelphia, Saturday, 4 p.m.