It’s hard to believe that we’ve reached the quarterpole of the NFL season, but the Cowboys’ game against the Eagles will represent the second-to-last home game of the regular season.
That means we’ve now entered playoff-clinching territory, with the Cowboys getting their first opportunity to clinch a playoff spot this weekend.
Here’s what the Cowboys can do to clinch a playoff spot, per the NFL communications office:
DALLAS COWBOYS (9-3) vs. Philadelphia (10-2); Sunday night, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Dallas clinches playoff berth with:
1. DAL win + MIN loss or tie + GB loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss or tie + DET win or tie + LAR loss or tie (as long as GB and MIN both don’t tie) OR
2. DAL win + MIN loss or tie + GB loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss or tie + DET win or tie + NO loss or tie (as long as GB and MIN both don’t tie) OR
3. DAL win + MIN loss or tie + GB loss or tie + SEA loss + TB tie + DET win or tie (as long as GB and MIN both don’t tie).
The most likely scenario would be #1, and even though it involves the outcome of seven games, it’s not completely outside the realm of possibility.
Out of the six games that don’t involve the Cowboys, only the Packers against the Giants and the Vikings against the Raiders are favored to win.
Dallas enters Sunday’s match-up with the Eagles a 3.5-point favorite. The Cowboys have averaged 41 points per game at AT&T Stadium this year, and they’re on a 14-game winning streak dating back to last season.
