Monday, November 15, 2010

Here is how the Dallas Cowboys still make the playoffs in 2010

Lets say that Dallas runs the table for the remainder of the season. That will put them at 9-7 with two critical wins over the Eagles and one over the Redskins. As of right now Dallas is last in the NFC East, here is a low down on how it stands:

Giants 6-3
Eagles 5-3
Redskins 4-4
Dallas 2-7

So if Dalls wins out, that is 2 more losses for the Eagles and 1 for the Redskins. For Dallas to trump the Eagles in the division, the Eagles only need to lose 2 games other then the losses to Dallas. Out of the 6 games (not including Dallas), 2 losses would tie them with Dallas but they lose the tie breaker since Dallas is 2-0 against them. This is the easiest scenerio out of the other teams since Dallas can win the head to head matchup. Here is the remaining schedule for the Eagles:

@Redskins
Giants
@Bears
Texans
@Dallas
@Giants
Vikings
Dallas

For the Skins to fall behind Dallas it would need to lose 3 games out of the 7 non Dallas games remaining. I am just playing it safe here and saying they need to finish the season at 8-8 or worse. There may be a way for them to finish 9-7 and still lose out to the Cowboys due to division/conference records, but 8-8 ensures they can't win the division. Here is the rest of their schedule:

Eagles
@Titans
Vikings
@Giants
Bucs
@Dallas
@Jags
Giants

Giants may be a bit more of a stretch. They either need to lost 5 of their remaining 7 games or lose all 4 against the division rivals. Losing against the Skins and Eagles would put them at 9-7 but Dallas would win due to conference record. Here is their schedule:

@Eagles
Jags
Redskins
@Vikings
Eagles
@Packers
@Redskins

Now of coarse this is all moot and gets even more complicated if Dallas loses 1 game, but this season has been a weird one for the NFL and who knows, maybe they still have a chance at 8-8 :)