After two straight losses, the Cowboys’ comeback story has all however ended. Whereas nonetheless technically alive within the NFC playoff race, it will take near-impossible circumstances for Dallas to worm their manner again into the event. Provided that, our rooting guides will now concentrate on the rather more practical impression that these remaining weeks have on our 2026 draft picks.
Formally, Dallas might nonetheless win the NFC East if it wins out and the Eagles lose their remaining video games. However the Cowboys, who’ve gone from surging to slumping, could not even beat the Chargers this Sunday. It’s additionally laborious to think about Philly shedding twice to Washington over the ultimate weeks. If we’ve got to revisit this come Week 18, we gladly will. However we don’t count on to.
So, the place does Dallas stand now within the 2026 draft? Our temporary dalliance with renewed playoff hopes took us away from this dialog for a bit. In response to the NFL, and primary math, the Cowboys’ unique decide can be 14th within the present order. Their 6-7-1 document places them definitively behind the 6-8 groups however forward of the 7-7 crowd, eliminating the fuss over tiebreakers.
If the draft was now, right here can be the primary 18 picks for the non-playoff groups:
1. Giants 2-122. Raiders 2-123. Titans 2-124. Browns 3-115. Jets 3-116. Cardinals 3-117. Commanders 4-108. Saints 4-109. Bengals 4-1010. Rams (from Falcons) 5-911. Dolphins 6-812. Vikings 6-813. Chiefs 6-814. Cowboys 6-7-115. Ravens 7-716. Panthers 7-717. Lions 8-618. Jets (from Colts) 8-6
With solely three weeks to go, there’s solely a lot vary for Dallas to rise or fall within the order. They will’t get any worse than 6-10-1, which suggests 3-11 groups just like the Jets and Cardinals can’t be handed. The very best that the Cowboys can attain now within the order is the seventh decide, at present held by the 4-10 Washington Commanders. However that might require Dallas shedding out and plenty of dangerous groups successful out, so it’s in all probability not taking place.
The decide from Inexperienced Bay can’t be projected till we see if the Packers make the playoffs and the place they end. The place a workforce finishes within the playoffs is what decides their eventual decide, irrespective of how they entered the event. So clearly, we’re rooting for Inexperienced Bay to fall out of the postseason. And whereas we’re definitely not pleased about Micah Parsons’ damage, which will assist find yourself serving to us.
Realistically, Dallas’ unique decide ought to fall someplace within the 11-16 vary. If Inexperienced Bay does miss the event, they’ll nonetheless in all probability land in that 16-18 vary. As we get into the Week 16 schedule, we’ll have a look at all the video games that might probably assist the Cowboys on both entrance.
Once more, we’re specializing in subsequent April now and never January. In case you’re nonetheless hoping for a miracle within the NFC East, then you definately’re welcome to root for Philly right here. We in all probability nonetheless received’t transfer previous Washington within the draft, however an Eagles win might assist them construct momentum going into the playoffs. In the event that they had been to play Inexperienced Bay within the first spherical, Dallas would profit if the Packers get eradicated sooner.
Ideally, although, Inexperienced Bay doesn’t even make the playoffs and retains that decide at 18th or higher. They’re at present the final wild card workforce and have a two-win lead on the eighth-seeded Lions. We in all probability want them to lose each remaining sport to present Detroit an opportunity to go.
Whereas we hate for New York to enhance its shot on the number-one decide, Minnesota successful might instantly assist the Cowboys transfer up.
Kansas Metropolis is a workforce that Dallas has a sensible shot at transferring forward of within the draft. The Titans are utterly out of our attain, so this one’s simple to select.
Dallas has a a lot increased probability of ending worse than Miami over Cincy, so a Phins win is the way in which to root.
Most likely irrelevant to Dallas both manner, however there’s no less than a mathematical shot of getting forward of New Orleans within the draft.
Certainly one of these groups would be the NFC South Champion, and the opposite in all probability received’t make the playoffs in any respect. The most effective factor for Dallas is that they cut up their upcoming collection to weaken the runner-up’s draft place. So we’ll take Carolina right here as the house workforce, and possibly Tampa in Week 18.
Atlanta’s decide, which truly belongs to the Rams, is one Dallas may be capable of transfer forward of. Arizona’s is just not.
A Detroit win helps them probably steal the Packers’ playoff spot and retains them additional away from Dallas’ unique decide.
Baltimore is at present fifteenth within the order, proper behind Dallas. We’d like some extra cushion between us.
San Francisco, at present in sixth place within the NFC, helps maintain Inexperienced Bay susceptible because the seventh seed with a win.
If we get these outcomes, and the Cowboys lose to Los Angeles, Dallas’ decide would transfer as much as eleventh. The Packers would nonetheless have a declare on the final wild card spot, however it will be severely weakened. Detroit would solely be a half-game behind with two extra to go.
