Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. (Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)
Dallas can only try to control the result of their game with the Eagles but there will be playoff implications across Week 18 for the Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Cardinals in Week 17 cost them the chance at the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
That doesn’t mean Week 18 doesn’t have plenty of major implications for the Cowboys‘ playoff future.
While Dallas knows they’ll be playing in the postseason, their seed and opponent are very much hanging in the balance.
Cowboys playoff scenarios for Week 18
- No. 2 seed = DAL win + TB loss vs. CAR + LAR loss vs. SF + ARI loss vs. SEA
- No. 3 seed = DAL win + TB win vs. CAR + LAR loss vs. SF + ARI loss vs. SEA
- No. 4 seed = DAL win/loss
Dallas needs a whole lot of games to go their way in order to get something other than the No. 4 seed.
If they are a No. 4 seed, they can expect to face the Cardinals or the Rams, depending on the result of the game between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
As a No. 3 seed, the Cowboys would end up playing the 49ers.
In the No. 2 seed scenario, a rematch with the Eagles would be on the cards.
Dallas missed the playoffs in 2019 and 2020. They last won a playoff game during the 2018 season when they beat the Seahawks in the wild card round before losing to the Rams.
Dak Prescott and company are hoping to advance far beyond the first round this time. Dallas last made it to the NFC Championship Game in 1995 when they last won the Super Bowl. The difference between the No. 2 seed and No. 4 seed could make all the difference.