The NFC East turned into a two-team race weeks ago, but heading into Week 15, it’s officially knotted up. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football, which moved them into a tie at 10-3. The Cowboys have the tiebreaker edge with four weeks remaining, but they do not control their own destiny — as much as one can control destiny.
The Cowboys can clinch a playoff berth this weekend without any help, but they’ll need help over the final four weeks if they want to clinch the NFC East title. If the Cowboys and Eagles both win out, the Eagles will claim the tiebreaker based on a slightly better conference record.
In the meantime, here’s what the Cowboys need this weekend to formally punch their playoff ticket.
Sunday update: The Cowboys have clinched a playoff spot before even playing in Week 15. The Carolina Panthers defeated the Atlanta Falcons, the Buccaneers defeated the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions beat the Denver Broncos on Saturday night. That all adds up to the Cowboys securing a playoff spot. Of course, theystill have to keep winning if they want to hold onto the NFC East lead over the Eagles and try to steal the No. 1 seed from the 49ers.
Saturday update: The Vikings lost in overtime to the Bengals in the early Saturday game and the Lions crushed the Broncos in the late game. The Cowboys only need a win of their own to clinch, but the Vikings and Lions results keep several Sunday scenarios alive where Dallas could clinch before they step on the field or while they’re still playing Sunday afternoon.
Dallas Cowboys playoff clinching scenarios – Week 15
The Cowboys have a simple task in front of them. Beat the Bills in Buffalo and they clinch a playoff berth. Buffalo is a 2.5-point favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook, so it’s not remotely a sure thing.
If Dallas comes up short in Buffalo, there are a host of possible scenarios for them to clinch. It requires a variety of combinations of wins and losses, so here are the odds for each of the relevant matchups for the teams listed above.
Buccaneers (+3.5) @ Packers
Lions (-4) vs. Broncos
49ers (-12.5) @ Cardinals
Rams (-6.5) vs. Commanders
Vikings (+3) @ Bengals
Seahawks (+4) vs. Eagles
Falcons (-3) @ Panthers
Giants (+6) @ Saints
Patriots (+8) vs. Chiefs
Jets (+8.5) @ Dolphins
Browns (-3) vs. Bears
Steelers (+1.5) @ Colts
Titans (-3) vs. Texans
Chargers (+2.5) @ Raiders