Dallas Cowboys’ Playoff Aspirations Rise as Brian Schottenheimer Emphasizes Winning Culture
The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a markedly different situation this season compared to last. A year ago, the franchise finished with a disappointing 7-10 record, prompting a significant change in leadership. After five seasons, Mike McCarthy parted ways with the team, having only managed a 1-3 record in the playoffs, and missing the postseason entirely in both 2020 and 2024. For a passionate fanbase and a globally recognized brand eager for a championship, this performance was deemed unacceptable. In response, the Cowboys elevated offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to the head coach position, a role he had never before held.
A Rocky Start and Recent Resurgence
The early phase of Schottenheimer’s tenure was met with mixed results. The Cowboys stumbled to a 3-5-1 start over their first nine games. However, since a bye week in mid-November, Dallas has turned the tides, securing three wins against just one loss, and reestablishing themselves as contenders in the playoff race. While the road ahead is still challenging, hope remains alive for a postseason berth.
The next four games will be crucial for Schottenheimer’s evaluation as a head coach. With the Cowboys currently sitting two games behind the Philadelphia Eagles—who have experienced a three-game losing streak—Dallas is positioned to capitalize. Their divisional record stands at 3-1, providing a slight edge over Philadelphia’s 2-2 record against common opponents. The Eagles, despite their struggles, will face the Washington Commanders twice, an opportunity they could exploit.
Winning: The Primary Focus
Schottenheimer recognizes the imperative of returning to the playoffs. During a recent press conference, he articulated the importance of winning as the team approaches the season’s finale. He stated, “You can’t sit up here and talk about winning world championships, and if you don’t make the playoffs, you don’t have a chance to win a world championship. Again, winning’s the number one objective.”
Beyond the immediate goal of playoff qualification, Schottenheimer is also focused on cultivating a winning culture within the organization. He noted, “After that, it’s building the culture. There are things that, as we get through the season and the season ends—which it will end at some point—we’ll look back, and there will be good things, and there will be bad things. The good things, we’ll find ways to keep those things going, and the things we have to correct, we’ll find ways to improve them.”
Focus on the Next Challenge
While the Cowboys are eager to secure their playoff spot, they have no control over the Eagles’ performance. Schottenheimer emphasized the need to concentrate solely on their games, stating, “Minnesota’s our focus, Minnesota’s my focus, but like I said the other day, we’re going to be judged on wins and losses, so let’s start by getting the first one in the fourth quarter against Minnesota.”
The Cowboys will host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 14, with kickoff set for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. As the season progresses, the Cowboys will look to solidify their playoff aspirations and demonstrate to owner Jerry Jones and their loyal supporters that a new chapter is unfolding in Dallas.
