The Cowboys have made the NFL playoffs in three consecutive seasons, but at this point in their 2024 schedule, they're holding onto slim chances at making it four straight playoff trips.
However, after taking down the Panthers 30-14 on Sunday, Dallas comes out of Week 15 still alive in the postseason chase. There's certainly still a lot of work to be done by the Cowboys in order to earn an NFC playoff spot, but they took a step in the right direction with their victory over Carolina.
The NFL has seen last-second playoff pushes before, and it'd surely throw an intriguing storyline into the final three weeks of the season if Dallas can find some magic.
How could the Cowboys still contend for a playoff spot following their Week 15 win? Here's what to know about Dallas' chances at reaching the postseason, including its remaining schedule.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture entering Week 15
Cowboys playoff picture
Dallas was trending the wrong way coming off a 27-20 loss to the Bengals in Week 14, but Sunday's win over Carolina was a critical first step in getting back in the playoff race.
In the updated NFC playoff picture, the Cowboys still rank toward the bottom of contending teams, only in front of New Orleans. Just the Giants, Bears, and Panthers have been eliminated from the NFC playoff picture so far.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Lions | 12-2 |
| 2 | Eagles | 12-2 |
| 3 | Buccaneers | 8-6 |
| 4 | Rams | 8-6 |
| 5 | Vikings | 11-2 |
| 6 | Packers | 10-4 |
| 7 | Commanders | 9-5 |
| 8 | Seahawks | 8-6 |
| 9 | Cardinals | 7-7 |
| 10 | Falcons | 6-7 |
| 11 | 49ers | 6-8 |
| 12 | Cowboys | 6-8 |
| 13 | Saints | 5-9 |
Dallas' chances to win the NFC East have already evaporated, as the Eagles came into Week 15 with a 6-game lead over the Cowboys with just four games remaining for each squad. If Dallas is going to make a playoff push over its final three games, it'd come from a wild card berth.
However, it would take a drastic downfall for the Vikings and Packers not to claim two of those three spots at this point, making the Commanders' current No. 7 position the most attainable for squads outside the picture. But Washington won a 20-19 matchup against New Orleans on Sunday, further solidifying its status as a wild-card squad. Four teams still stand between Dallas and the Commanders' current No. 7 seed, and Washington hasn't shown any signs of a late-season collapse.
In all likelihood, Dallas will only be able to make the playoffs if it wins its final three games and gets significant help through a losing stretch for multiple squads, specifically Washington and at least one of the top two NFC West teams.
MORE NFL:
- Week 15 NFL Power Rankings
- Week 15 NFL picks straight-up
- Week 15 NFL picks against the spread
- NFL Draft order heading into Week 15
- NFL playoff picture heading into Week 15
Cowboys remaining schedule
While the Cowboys are coming off a strong win in Week 15, things get tougher from this point on. All of Dallas' final three games will come against current NFC playoff squads.
Here's a look at the Cowboys' final stretch of the regular season:
| Date | Matchup | Opponent's current record | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 22 | vs. Buccaneers | 7-6 | 8:20 p.m. |
| Dec. 29 | at Eagles | 11-2 | 4:25 p.m. |
| TBD | vs. Commanders | 9-5 | TBD |
NFL DRAFT NEWS:
Cowboys updated playoff chances
Even with the Cowboys' win, ESPN's power index gives Dallas a 0.2% chance at making the playoffs, the worst of any team who hasn't been eliminated from contention.
