Inside The Star
The Dallas Cowboys very nearly did it. They almost ran the gauntlet that many pundits predicted would end their season.
After consecutive three-point wins over the Eagles and the Chiefs last week, Dallas had a chance to run the gauntlet with a perfect 3-0 record.
That would have put them at 7-5-1 for the season with a very favorable schedule ahead. The Cowboys could afford a loss in Los Angeles to the Chargers with a win over Detroit.
With their other three remaining games being against the Vikings, Commanders, and Giants, even a 10-6-1 mark would get them in as a wildcard team at the least.
But now back at 6-6-1 after the 44-30 loss to Detroit, the Cowboys are 10th in the NFC and 2.5 games behind the 49ers, who currently sit in the seventh playoff spot.
It seems unlikely Dallas can catch the 49ers. That would be assuming that both the Lions and Panthers fold up down the stretch too.
That is an unlikely scenario.
Which leaves only path to the playoffs open enough for the Cowboys to still have a chance.
Dallas is actually closer to the Eagles for first in the division. At 8-4, Philadelphia is just two games up on Dallas.
While the Cowboys have just four games left, the Eagles still have five to play.
Philadelphia faces the 8-4 Chargers, who trail Denver by two games in the AFC West.
Los Angeles is currently fifth in the AFC with the same record as the Colts (6th), and the Bills (7th). All three have the Texans (7-5) and Kansas City (6-6) breathing down their necks.
The Eagles and the Cowboys will not have an easy time dispatching the Chargers.
Nor does it get any easier for Philadelphia after this Sunday.
The Eagles’ final four games will be against the Raiders, the Commanders, the Bills, and the Commanders at home. They could go 2-3 down the stretch and be sitting at 10-7.
If Dallas runs the table and the Eagles win just two out of five games, the Cowboys win the NFC East by a half-game at 10-6-1.
Passing the Panthers should be easy. Carolina has the Saints and two games sandwiched around a home game versus Seattle left on their schedule.
The Panthers could end up 8-9, with 9-8 being a best-case scenario.
Detroit’s schedule is also fraught with peril, with games against the Rams, Steelers, Vikings, and the NFC’s current top seed, the Bears.
Detroit could easily end up 2-2 over this stretch and finish at 10-7.
If Dallas can run the table and get help from Carolina and the Lions, they move up to the 8th spot. But that’s still one spot short and they need further help.
In 7th, the 49ers have the Titans, Colts, Bears, and Seahawks remaining.
If San Francisco wins any two of those, Dallas cannot catch them.
Green Bay might be the best chance the Cowboys have for a...
