Cowboys playoff picture: Updated chances for Dallas to make 2025 NFL postseason in Week 13 originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Dallas Cowboys have struggled to keep up in the NFC so far this season. But on their current win streak, can’t yet be ruled out as a playoff contender following a huge Thanksgiving matchup.
The Cowboys’ offense has been red-hot throughout 2025 behind Dak Prescott’s return from injury, plus key acquisitions in George Pickens and Javonte Williams. That Dallas offense has been key in a three-game winning streak that’s brought the squad back above .500, also armed with a tie on its record that could factor into the playoff standings.
It will be tough, but the Cowboys could make a run to the playoffs with a strong final stretch this season.
Here’s a look at Dallas’ current playoff outlook, and its path to an NFC playoff spot.
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Cowboys playoff picture
As things stand following Week 13, the Cowboys would not make the 2025 playoffs. They sit at second in the NFC East, trailing the Philadelphia Eagles, while they’re also trailing the Detroit Lions for the San Francisco 49ers‘ No. 7 spot in the NFC wild card picture.
In other words, the Cowboys are going to need a hot streak over the next few weeks to make the 2025 postseason, although it’s not impossible — especially after beating the Chiefs on Thanksgiving, a much-needed win over a strong opponent. With the Eagles having a 2.5-game advantage in the division though, Dallas’ far more likely path will be the wild card.
One of the more interesting aspects of the NFC wild card picture is that the Cowboys and Green Bay Packers have a tie, which could be beneficial if they find themselves needing tiebreakers at the end of the season for a playoff spot.
Following their Thanksgiving win against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cowboys will likely need to win at least three more games to secure a wild card spot in 2025. Here’s a look at the NFC standings, with the first four seeds being the division leaders:
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Los Angeles Rams | 9-2 |
| 2 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8-3 |
| 3 | Chicago Bears | 8-3 |
| 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-5 |
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks | 8-3 |
| 6 | Green Bay Packers | 8-3-1 |
| 7 | San Francisco 49ers | 8-4 |
| 8 | Detroit Lions | 7-5 |
| 9 | Dallas Cowboys | 6-5-1 |
| 10 | Carolina Panthers | 6-6 |
| 11 | Atlanta Falcons | 4-7 |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | 4-7 |
| 13 | Arizona Cardinals | 3-8 |
| 14 | Washington Commanders | 3-8 |
| 15 | New Orleans Saints | 2-9 |
| 16 | New York Giants | 2-10 |
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Cowboys remaining schedule
Especially over the next few weeks, the Cowboys have a tough remaining schedule. The Lions and Chargers present two more formidable opponents in the next three weeks.
Divisional matchups against the Commanders and Giants in the last two weeks of the regular season will both be favorable for Dallas, if it can get to that point while remaining in playoff contention. The real challenge, though, will be trying to get at least one win against Detroit or L.A.
Here is a look at the Cowboys’ remaining schedule.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Thursday, Dec. 4 | at Lions | 8:15 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 14 | vs. Vikings | 8:20 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 21 | vs. Chargers | 1 p.m. |
| Thursday, Dec. 25 | at Commanders | 1 p.m. |
| TBD | at Giants | TBD |
