NFL Week 12 overreactions: Chiefs stay alive, Cowboys shock Eagles
USA TODAY Sports’ Prince Grimes ‘overreacts’ to some of the best games from Sunday’s Week 12 slate.
We have all been there, staring at the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Everyone thought we were finished, but suddenly there is room for another plate, another dessert. After all, the holiday only comes around once a year and what else are you going to do with all that food?
The Dallas Cowboys are eerily similar to that heading into Thanksgiving.
Dishes were washed, leftovers were put away and the company started to leave. All of a sudden, Dallas caught a second wind and became a reenergized group following reinforcements at the trade deadline.
Now coming off a pair of wins, Dallas was hoping there is still enough room at the table for them to squeeze in amongst those that have their sights on the next big holiday gathering.
By the end of the night, the Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and the Cowboys extended that streak to three, strengthening their chances of remaining in the playoff race.
Here’s a look at the Cowboys’ playoff chances, remaining schedule and overall NFC playoff picture:
The Cowboys have a 17% chance to make the playoffs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That was an improvement upon their 10% chances of doing so entering Week 13, and a much better outcome than the 4% odds they would have sported with a loss.
Dallas is currently in possession of the NFC’s ninth seed, with two fewer wins than the last wild-card spot in the conference. Beating the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12 certainly helped their chances, but the Cowboys need to continue stacking wins to get back into the race.
Dallas entered Week 11 with just a 4% chance to make the postseason, an indication that they are potentially heading in the right direction. The Cowboys continue to own a dynamic offense, but can now pair it with a defense on the rise. Time will tell if those reinforcements were too little, too late in a crowded NFC playoff picture.
The Cowboys will face the fourth-easiest schedule down the stretch of the season, per Tankathon. They have two games remaining against teams with a winning record and two divisional matchups.
Below is a look at Dallas’ remaining opponents:
The Cowboys are in second place in the NFC East standings, but still aren’t in striking distance to track down the Eagles – even after splitting the season series. Philadelphia would likely have to collapse down the stretch for Dallas to take over the NFC East.
Here is a look at the standings entering Week 13:
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
- Washington Commanders (3-8)
- New York Giants (2-10)
- Los Angeles Rams (9-2; NFC West leaders)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-3; NFC East leaders)
- Chicago Bears (8-3; NFC North leaders)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5; NFC South leaders)
- Seattle Seahawks (8-3; wild card No. 1)
- Green Bay Packers (8-3-1; wild card No. 2)
- San Francisco 49ers (8-4; wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Detroit Lions (7-5); Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1); Carolina Panthers (6-6); Atlanta Falcons (4-7); Minnesota Vikings (4-7); Arizona Cardinals (3-8); Washington Commanders (3-8); New Orleans Saints (2-9);
Eliminated: New York Giants (2-10).
