The Dallas Cowboys are in a prime position to earn a playoff spot and host the game after winning the NFC East this season. Their first goal of making the playoffs could be a foregone conclusion if the team can regain the magic they had during their six-game winning streak.
This team’s next goal should be to get a home advantage in the playoffs by setting the number one. Regardless of what odds people play, profit should continue to be paramount.
By that I mean that the only remaining obstacle is not earning the first seed, but avoiding the NFC West. With seven teams now gaining access to the playoffs, positioning yourself for a better matchup is critical. The number one seed is the only team to receive the bye in the first round. This means that the second seed will host a wildcard game.
The NFL has a simple playoff format, which means that the number two of the seeds plays the seventh seed. The third seed plays the sixth, and finally the fourth seed plays the fifth. The NFC is really top heavy, which means the second seed gets a team that sneaks into the playoffs. At the moment, the seventh seed is currently the Atlanta Falcons. They would travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers if the playoffs started today.
The Dallas Cowboys must avoid NFC West to get the best possible matchup in the NFL playoffs
Green Bay has the same number of losses as Dallas but one more win right now. That Denver loss was huge in terms of playoff positioning. The sixth seed is currently held by the New Orleans Saints, who in turn would travel to Tamp Bay for their third game of the season. Tampa and New Orleans are in the same division. In an interesting twist, Tampa has to figure out how to beat New Orleans in the regular season and the Saints have to figure out Tampa in the playoffs.
Since Dallas lost to Tampa and both teams currently have the same record, Tampa would have the higher seed, meaning the Cowboys would be relegated to fourth place and most likely face the NFC West loser.
With the Arizona Cardinals having the best record in the NFL, the Cowboys would host the Los Angeles Rams Wildcard Weekend. If the Rams can catch the Cardinals, Arizona would head to Dallas for a wildcard weekend in week 17.
Tampa Bay, Arizona and the Los Angeles Rams are the only teams in the NFC that score more than the Cowboys and give away fewer total points. I think the cowboys can beat anyone in this league, but why make things harder?
Fortunately, behind the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys have the second easiest game plan remaining. Tampa finished fourth while the Cardinals finished 19th. The Rams come in 23rd place while the Green Bay Packers have the 29th toughest schedule remaining. Advantage Dallas, but can they capitalize on it?
The Packers must face the Rams while the Rams and Cardinals have yet another division game on the horizon. That may mean good news for the cowboys. The Cardinals have to face the Seattle Seahawks twice more this season and travel to Dallas at the end of the season.
I don’t know about you, but this weekend’s matchup against Atlanta could be the prize for second place. It’s not the first-round goodbye the Cowboys want, but I think it’s the safest opening opponent this team could have, given the options.
Yes, there is still half a football season to play and anything can happen. This is just the most likely scenario I’ve seen in the NFL this season. This weekend’s game against Atlanta could be a wildcard weekend preview. No matter what they’re being dealt, the cowboys need to understand that bye is everything right now, but it’s not the only thing moving forward.
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