Dallas Cowboys' Playoff Hopes Remain Alive Despite Recent Loss
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Despite a disappointing loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys' playoff aspirations remain alive. According to The Landry Hat, the Cowboys are currently sitting at a record of 3-5-1 as they head into Week 11, but they still have a chance to secure a postseason spot.
They are two games behind the Green Bay Packers, who hold the final wild-card slot in the NFC at 5-3-1. The Cowboys will need to rely on a mix of their performance and favorable outcomes from other games to improve their standing.
The remaining schedule for Dallas is viewed as manageable, particularly when compared to other teams. The Cowboys face the struggling Las Vegas Raiders, who are currently at 2-7, in a crucial matchup that many consider a must-win.
Following that, they will have a challenging game against the Philadelphia Eagles, currently at 7-2, before facing the Kansas City Chiefs at 5-4 on Thanksgiving Day. The gauntlet continues with games against the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, and New York Giants.
The Landry Hat highlights that Dallas has the tenth-easiest remaining schedule in the league, which could work in their favor. It is crucial for the Cowboys to capitalize on opportunities, especially against teams that are struggling.
NFL writer Jared Dubin adds that the Cowboys' defense needs to improve for them to make a playoff push. He emphasizes that even a slight uptick in defensive performance could significantly enhance the team's chances.
The Cowboys currently rank near the bottom in defense, and Dubin argues that improvements don't need to be drastic to affect their playoff potential. With Dak Prescott performing strongly on offense, Dallas is fifth in the NFL in total points, indicating that their scoring capability is intact.
However, the defense must step up to support this offensive success. As the Cowboys move forward, they face a tough road ahead but remain optimistic that they can still clinch a playoff berth if they can string together some wins and improve defensively.
While the loss to the Cardinals was disheartening, the Cowboys' fate isn't sealed, and they still have a path to the playoffs, contingent on their ability to win crucial upcoming games and enhance their defensive performance.