Cowboys playoff picture: Odds, remaining schedule, NFC East division standings
Whatever could go wrong has gone wrong for the 2024 Dallas Cowboys.
However, like a great fighter, the Cowboys keep getting up. They've been knocked down and dazed, battered and bruised. Despite showing plenty of heart, Dallas will be on their couches this postseason, just like the rest of us.
Regardless, even with all the mayhem this season, no one would've thought the Cooper Rush-led Cowboys would be in this spot. Rather than compete for the draft's top pick in April, Dallas was hoping for a miracle this holiday season. While their prayer wasn't answered, Jerry Jones' team competed to the very end.
Here's what you need to know about the Cowboys' playoff odds, their remaining schedule and where they stand in the NFC playoff picture entering Week 16.
Cowboys playoff odds
The Cowboys have been officially eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16.
Dallas came into the day with a less than 1% chance of making the playoffs, which were officially set to zero when the Commanders upset the Eagles.
There's always next year, Dallas.
Cowboys remaining schedule
The Cowboys own the fourth-toughest schedule in the league, according to Tankathon. Their opponents have a combined winning percentage of .690, so the odds are stacked against Dallas.
All three of the Cowboys' remaining opponents are currently sitting in a playoff spot, with only the Eagles having clinched one. None of those teams have an incentive to rest players either.
Below is a full look at Dallas' schedule:
- Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6)
- Week 17: at Philadelphia Eagles (12-2)
- Week 18: vs. Washington Commanders (9-5)
NFC East standings
The Cowboys' hopes of winning the NFC East this season ended long ago, with the Eagles in the driver's seat to capture the division crown. If Philadelphia defeats Washington in Week 16, they will clinch the NFC East but remain heavy favorites either way, with just two more games to go after this week.
Below is a full look at the NFC West standings entering Week 16:
Like the great Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over till it's over," but this race is all but finished. Technically, Dallas still had a chance entering Week 16, but so much had to go right for Dallas to make the playoffs. In simple terms, the Cowboys would have needed to win out and hope for the best.
NFL playoff picture Week 16
AFC
- Kansas City Chiefs (14-1, AFC West leaders)
- Buffalo Bills (11-3, AFC East leaders)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5, AFC North leaders)
- Houston Texans (9-6, AFC South leaders)
- Baltimore Ravens (10-5, wild card No. 1)
- Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, wild card No. 2)
- Denver Broncos (9-6, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (7-8), Miami Dolphins (6-8), Cincinnati Bengals (7-8).
NFC
- Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North leaders)
- Philadelphia Eagles (12-3, NFC East leaders)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6, NFC South leaders)
- Los Angeles Rams (9-6, NFC West leaders)
- Minnesota Vikings (12-2, wild card No. 1)
- Green Bay Packers (10-4, wild card No. 2)
- Washington Commanders (10-5, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (8-6), Atlanta Falcons (8-7)