The 2024 season has not gone as expected for the Dallas Cowboys. Where do their playoff chances stand heading into the weekend?
As we move deeper into the second half of the 2024 NFL season, the playoff picture becomes clearer. The Dallas Cowboys won the NFC East last season and entered this year fully expecting to make another trip to the postseason. Things haven’t quite gone as planned, though.
Let’s examine where their playoff odds lie after defeating the Giants on Thanksgiving.
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Can the Cowboys Make the Playoffs?
After the late afternoon slate in Week 13, the Dallas Cowboys are 5-7 and now have a 4.0% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 0.0% chance for the first seed, a <0.1% chance for the second seed, a <0.1% chance for the third seed, a <0.1% chance for the fourth seed, a 0.2% chance for the fifth seed, a 0.6% chance for the sixth seed, and a 3.3% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Cowboys Win the NFC East?
Here’s what the NFC East race looks like after Week 13’s late afternoon slate of games:
The Philadelphia Eagles have a 96.3% chance to win the NFC East. The Washington Commanders have a 3.7% chance to win the NFC East. The Dallas Cowboys have a <0.1% chance to win the NFC East. The New York Giants have a 0.0% chance to win the NFC East.
Current NFC East Standings
Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) Washington Commanders (8-5) Dallas Cowboys (5-7) New York Giants (2-10)
NFC Playoff Race in Week 13
1. Detroit Lions (11-1)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
3. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
7. Washington Commanders (8-5)
In The Hunt
8. Arizona Cardinals (6-6)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
10. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
11. San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
12. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)
13. New Orleans Saints (4-7)
14. Chicago Bears (4-8)
15. Carolina Panthers (3-8)
Eliminated From Playoffs
1. New York Giants (2-10)
Cowboys’ Super Bowl Chances in Week 13
Can the Cowboys win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Dallas has a <0.1% chance to win it all.
Cowboys’ Remaining Schedule
Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals Week 15: at Carolina Panthers Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 17: at Philadelphia Eagles Week 18: vs. Washington Commanders
What PFN Predicted for the Giants vs. Cowboys Matchup
After looking left for dead in their first two games without Dak Prescott, the Cowboys bounced back for a 34-point explosion in an upset win over the Commanders last week. Of course, two of their touchdowns came on kick returns, including the always-popular onside kickoff return touchdown.
Thanksgiving projects to be the best opportunity the Cowboys have to finally win a home game. Both the Cowboys and Giants are starting backup quarterbacks.
Cooper Rush’s first start was an unmitigated disaster, throwing for a total of 45 yards. Over his last two, he’s been much better, throwing for 354 and 247 yards. He completed 75% of his passes against the Commanders.
As poor as the Giants have been as a team this season, they’ve been pretty solid defensively. Specifically against the pass, the Giants allow the seventh-fewest passing yards per game.
The Giants will need to win this game with ball control and defense. Rookie RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. has fumbled the ball in each of his last two games, but he’s still far and away their best offensive weapon outside of Malik Nabers.
Two weeks ago, the Cowboys were completely torched by Joe Mixon on the ground. The Giants should look to replicate that game plan and lean on Tracy. Although, given how the Cowboys defended Terry McLaurin last week, some deep shots to Nabers are certainly in order.
The Giants enter this game as losers of six straight. As much as fans might want them to lose out to secure a top draft pick, the players are still heavily motivated to defeat a division rival. This feels like a prime bounce-back spot for the Giants combined with a letdown spot for the Cowboys.
PFN Prediction: Giants 23, Cowboys 17