Just a few weeks ago, the Dallas Cowboys looked like a team heading nowhere fast. A 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football dropped them to 3-5-1, and any talk of the playoffs felt more like wishful thinking than a realistic goal. But in the NFL, momentum is everything-and right now, the Cowboys are riding a wave that’s suddenly made things very interesting in the NFC.
Since that Week 9 loss, Dallas has flipped the narrative. First came a timely Week 10 bye, which gave them a chance to regroup-and, thanks to a few favorable results across the league, gain some ground in the standings without even taking the field. Then came Week 11, where the Cowboys returned with purpose, cruising past the Las Vegas Raiders in a 33-16 win that looked as confident as it was convincing.
But the real turning point came in Week 12. Down 21-0 to the rival Philadelphia Eagles, it looked like Dallas was headed for another demoralizing defeat. Instead, they delivered one of the most resilient performances in franchise history, storming back for a 24-21 win-the largest comeback the Cowboys have pulled off in decades, and a statement that this team wasn’t done yet.
Then came Thanksgiving, and another opportunity to prove they belonged in the playoff conversation. In a high-scoring, back-and-forth battle with the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas edged out a 31-28 win. That victory not only pushed them over the .500 mark for the first time all season at 6-5-1, but it also kept their postseason hopes very much alive.
The Thanksgiving slate also brought more good news. The Detroit Lions, one of the Cowboys' key competitors in the wild-card race, fell to the Green Bay Packers. That result tightened the gap between Dallas and Detroit-and with the two teams set to face off in Week 14, the Cowboys have a clear path to leapfrog the Lions in the standings.
And the surprises didn’t stop there. On Black Friday, the Chicago Bears took down the Eagles, which suddenly reopened the door in the NFC East.
Just weeks ago, the idea of Dallas being in the division race seemed far-fetched. Now?
Not so much.
So yes, things have taken a dramatic turn. With Week 13 still unfolding, the Cowboys find themselves firmly back in the mix. Here’s where the NFC playoff picture stands heading into the rest of the week, with 10 teams still legitimately in the hunt:
NFC Playoff Picture (Top 10 Teams):
- Los Angeles Rams (9-2) - 1st in NFC West
- Chicago Bears (9-3) - 1st in NFC North
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-3) - 1st in NFC East
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) - 1st in NFC South
- Seattle Seahawks (8-3) - 2nd in NFC West
- Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) - 2nd in NFC North
- San Francisco 49ers (8-4) - 3rd in NFC West
- Detroit Lions (7-5) - 3rd in NFC North
- Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) - 2nd in NFC East
- Carolina Panthers (6-6) - 2nd in NFC South
The playoff race is tight, and every game from here on out matters. Here's what Cowboys fans should be keeping a close eye on as Week 13 wraps up:
San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns
The Cowboys are chasing the 49ers in the wild-card standings, and this game could be a big swing. A Browns win would give San Francisco its fifth loss-matching Dallas in that column-and with the Niners on a bye in Week 14, the Cowboys could narrow the gap even more with a win of their own next week.
Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay leads the NFC South, but their grip on the division is far from secure. If the Cardinals can pull off the upset, the Buccaneers could slide into the wild-card race, making things even more competitive. For Dallas, the best-case scenario is Tampa taking a step back and letting the Cowboys climb the ladder.
Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are right behind Dallas in the standings, but they’ve got a tall order this week. The Rams are rolling, winners of six straight and sitting at the top of the NFC. A Carolina loss here would help the Cowboys hold their position and keep the Panthers at bay in the wild-card chase.
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Seattle is firmly in the playoff picture, while Minnesota, sitting at 4-7, is on the outside looking in. But that doesn’t mean the Vikings can’t play spoiler. If they can pull off the upset, it would be a big help to the Cowboys, who are trying to gain ground on the Seahawks in the wild-card standings.
Bottom line? The Cowboys have gone from afterthought to contender in just three weeks.
With a little help and a lot of execution, Dallas is right back in the thick of things. The next few weeks will be telling, but for now, the Cowboys are alive-and dangerous.