Dallas Cowboys Playoff Hopes Reignite as Eagles Stumble in NFC East Showdown
The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a surprising position as the NFL regular season enters its final weeks. While they may not hold their fate in their own hands, a pathway to the playoffs has emerged that seemed improbable just a month ago. Heading into Week 14, the Cowboys trail the Philadelphia Eagles by a slim margin of 1.5 games in the fiercely contested NFC East.
Favorable Schedules Ahead
As the season winds down, Dallas enjoys a more favorable schedule compared to their division rivals. The Eagles, on the other hand, are set to face a formidable opponent in the Buffalo Bills. Despite the Cowboys’ potential to capitalize on their remaining schedule, oddsmakers still regard Philadelphia as the team to beat in the division.
After the Eagles’ disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night, the odds to win the NFC East shifted slightly. However, the Cowboys remain underdogs in their pursuit of the title. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Dallas is currently listed at +750, while Philadelphia stands as heavy favorites at -1000. This means that a $100 wager on the Cowboys could yield a substantial $750 return, in stark contrast to the Eagles, where a bet of $1,000 would only net $100.
A Window of Opportunity
Despite the odds being stacked against them, the Cowboys have a crucial opportunity to surge into the playoffs. If they can regain their rhythm and string together a series of wins, they could leverage their favorable matchups into a postseason berth.
The remaining schedules for both teams are pivotal in this race for the NFC East crown. Here’s a look at the upcoming games for the Cowboys and Eagles, with Dallas’s matchups highlighted for emphasis:
Upcoming Games for Both Teams
Week 15:
Las Vegas Raiders @ Philadelphia Eagles | Sunday, December 14 | 1:00 p.m. ET | FOX
Minnesota Vikings @ Dallas Cowboys | Sunday, December 14 | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock
Week 16:
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders | Saturday, December 20 | 5:00 p.m. ET | FOX
Los Angeles Chargers @ Dallas Cowboys | Sunday, December 21 | 1:00 p.m. ET | FOX
Week 17:
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders | Thursday, December 25 | 1:00 p.m. ET | Netflix
Philadelphia Eagles @ Buffalo Bills | Sunday, December 28 | 4:25 p.m. ET | FOX
Week 18:
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants | Sunday, January 4 | FLEX GAME
Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles | Sunday, January 4 | FLEX GAME
As the Cowboys gear up for these crucial matchups, the stakes are high. With the playoffs on the horizon, each game will serve as a potential stepping stone toward a postseason run.
The Road Ahead for the Cowboys
In addition to the playoff picture, the Cowboys are also eyeing the future. Discussions surrounding the upcoming NFL Draft and potential prospects are beginning to surface. The team’s performance in the coming weeks will not only influence their playoff chances but also their strategy moving forward.
With a renewed sense of hope following the Eagles’ stumble, the Dallas Cowboys are poised to make a significant push as the regular season draws to a close. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining their fate in the ever-competitive NFC East.
