NFL playoff picture: Dallas Cowboys’ NFC ranking following bye week

The Dallas Cowboys are currently at 3-3 as they approach Week 8, and they have significant work ahead to maintain their competitiveness in the strong NFC.

While the Cowboys are still in contention for a playoff spot with their 3-3 record, they face a tough schedule after their bye week, starting with a Week 8 game against the NFC West’s San Francisco 49ers. Here’s an overview of their playoff situation…

Cowboys maintain a narrow chance for the playoffs

After the bye week, the Cowboys find themselves just one game shy of the Wild Card spot, yet they rank 10th in the NFC standings. Head coach Mike McCarthy has historically performed well after bye weeks; last season, he guided the Cowboys from a 4-2 record to winning six out of their next seven games. Overall, his record following bye weeks stands at 12-5, with a 7-4 mark at home.

In the NFC East, the Cowboys sit third, as the 5-2 Washington Commanders triumphed over the Carolina Panthers and the 4-2 Philadelphia Eagles defeated the 2-5 New York Giants in Week 7.

The Commanders have started the season strong, but their success might wane following quarterback Jayden Daniels’ injury last week. It remains uncertain how long he will be sidelined or if Washington can maintain its performance in his absence. Meanwhile, the Eagles celebrated a commanding 28-3 victory over the Giants, bolstered by running back Saquon Barkley’s return.

NFC Standings after Week 7

The NFC North has proven to be formidable in the first seven weeks. On Sunday, the Detroit Lions defeated the Minnesota Vikings, claiming first place in the division and handing the Vikings their first loss of the season. The Green Bay Packers sit at 5-2 after a narrow victory over the Houston Texans, secured by a last-second field goal.

The NFC North standings’ numbers change, and the Packers move up. This is going to get interesting, folks.
.#GreenBayPackers #GreenBay #Packers #GoPackGo #NFL #LambeauField #LoveGB #HOUvsGB #Texans #HoustonTexans pic.twitter.com/vE7CX64BAx

— Packerville, U.S.A. (@Packerville) October 21, 2024

After Week 7, the Cowboys found themselves behind all NFC North teams, with the 4-2 Chicago Bears also on a bye. Having secured three consecutive wins, the Cowboys are now just one game behind the 5-2 Green Bay Packers.

In contrast, the NFC South is struggling, with the Atlanta Falcons (5-1) sitting ninth, the 2-5 New Orleans Saints in 14th, and the 1-6 Carolina Panthers at the bottom of the NFC standings. The 4-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, currently third in the NFC, are set to play the Baltimore Ravens tonight, which will determine whether they maintain their division lead or if the Falcons will take over.

This week, the NFC West saw some shifts as the Seattle Seahawks ended their three-game losing streak by defeating the Falcons, claiming first place in the division with a 4-3 record. Following their Super Bowl rematch, the 49ers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7, landing in 11th place in the conference with a 2-4 record, just below Dallas. The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams are both at 2-4, trailing the 49ers in the NFC standings, with the Cardinals also set to face the Chargers tonight.

The Cowboys will take on the 49ers this Sunday in a critical matchup that could impact their standings. While this game isn’t a direct playoff clincher, it holds significance since the loser may need to win their division to have a genuine chance at the postseason.

With six more games against NFC teams currently ahead of them, the Cowboys still have four left against their NFC East rivals. To avoid missing the playoffs and prevent further disappointment, they will need to win nearly all of these crucial games.