Archer: Dallas Cowboys' playoff possibilities

[Cotton]

Dallas Cowboys' playoff possibilities
December, 22, 2014

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- Figuring out the playoff possibilities is a near impossible task, so we'll let the NFL do it for us.

In all likelihood, the Dallas Cowboys will be the No. 3 seed in the NFC when the playoffs begin, but they have chances, albeit slim, of gaining home-field advantage or a first-round bye with a win Sunday at the Washington Redskins.

Here are the scenarios from the NFL:
Dallas clinches home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:

1) DAL win + ARI loss or tie + DET/GB tie

Dallas clinches a first-round bye with:

1) DAL win + SEA loss or tie + ARI loss or tie OR
2) DAL win + DET/GB tie OR
3) DAL tie + SEA loss + ARI loss OR
4) DAL tie + SEA tie + ARI loss or tie + DET/GB does not end in a tie


I believe it is possible for the Cowboys to earn a bye even with a loss to the Redskins, provided the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals lose their finales.

 

[gator]

If the chalk holds we'll play the loser of DET/ GB in the opening round. I think the only way we play Arizona is if DET/ GB ends in a tie.

 

[boozeman]

We will get Detroit.

Hate that there is no way conceivable that we get Arizona.

Beat Detroit, then we go to the number one seed, likely the Seahawks or Packers.

 

[Smitty]

We will get Detroit.

Hate that there is no way conceivable that we get Arizona.

Beat Detroit, then we go to the number one seed, likely the Seahawks or Packers.

We are gonna be the 3 seed because the other division winner will have a lesser record, and will be the 4 seed.

Therefore if we win, we must play the 2 seed, not the 1 seed.

 

[ravidubey]

We are gonna be the 3 seed because the other division winner will have a lesser record, and will be the 4 seed.

Therefore if we win, we must play the 2 seed, not the 1 seed.

Yep. That probably puts us at Seattle. Fuck them, I say we take those bastards down I don't care how hyper they are playing.

Detroit matches up well against us with their defensive tackles, but I look at Calvin Johnson as just one more demon this team must exorcise.

To get to the Superbowl, Dallas will likely have to win vs Detroit, @Seattle, and @Green Bay. If we manage to get there, could anyone doubt our credentials?

Meanwhile Pittsburgh will have to win vs. Baltimore, @New England, and @Denver-- very tough as well. Two flawed defenses but two that are playing well right now. Two excellent offenses that rely heavily on the run.

 

[Smitty]

Yep. That probably puts us at Seattle. Fuck them, I say we take those bastards down I don't care how hyper they are playing.

Detroit matches up well against us with their defensive tackles, but I look at Calvin Johnson as just one more demon this team must exorcise.

To get to the Superbowl, Dallas will likely have to win vs Detroit, @Seattle, and @Green Bay. If we manage to get there, could anyone doubt our credentials?

Meanwhile Pittsburgh will have to win vs. Baltimore, @New England, and @Denver-- very tough as well. Two flawed defenses but two that are playing well right now. Two excellent offenses that rely heavily on the run.

Actually I think that will put us at Green Bay in the second round.

Consider.... Green Bay beats Detroit. Seattle beats St. Louis. Arizona.... doesn't matter.

Seeding is then like this:

1) Seattle (Seattle wins three way tiebreaker between us, GB and themselves all at 12-4)
2) Green Bay (GB is the 2nd seed based on that same tiebreaker)
3) Dallas
4) NFC South Winner
5) Arizona
6) Detroit

Dallas plays Detroit. If we win that one, we play the 2 seed... which is GB.

Gonna be a hard road. To get to the Super Bowl we likely have to win @ GB and @ Seattle.

That only changes realistically if Seattle loses and Arizona wins, or if Detroit beats GB.

 

[1bigfan13]

This is good stuff. Been too long since we've been able to talk about the Cowboys' potential playoff opponents.

I think we play DET as well and I actually like our chances better against Green Bay than against Detroit.

 

[Cotton]

Imagine it coming down to us against Seattle again just like 2006. Obviously not again in the WC round. Sweet retribution for Romo?

 

[1bigfan13]

I'd love to get that 1st seed. It's practically a free ticket to the NFCCG.

You get a bye then your Divisional Playoff game is against either the crappy NFC South winner or an AZ team operating with a 3rd string QB and little to no offense.

 

[Smitty]

I'd love to get that 1st seed. It's practically a free ticket to the NFCCG.

You get a bye then your Divisional Playoff game is against either the crappy NFC South winner or an AZ team operating with a 3rd string QB and little to no offense.

I think the first seed is now impossible that neither GB nor Detroit lost last week.

 

[ravidubey]

I think the first seed is now impossible that neither GB nor Detroit lost last week.

They could tie

 

[data]

The NFL would love Romo at Seattle

 

[dallen]

They could tie

from playing with the ESPN playoff machine, that seems to be the only chance we have at getting the #1 seed..

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/machine

 

[Cotton]

The NFL would love Romo at Seattle

You done been timestamped.

 

[Carp]

This is good stuff. Been too long since we've been able to talk about the Cowboys' potential playoff opponents.

I think we play DET as well and I actually like our chances better against Green Bay than against Detroit.

I'd much rather play Det than GB. Yes, Det has a good defense, but Rodgers in Dallas, no weather issues...just not a good match up for us. They remind me of the Colts in that they have been just scuffling along and picking up wins, but not looking good in doing so.

 

[GForce78NJ]

we have issues with Detroit. For some reason Stafford/Johnson combo lights us up when we play them. It's going to be a long road to the super bowl, but if we play our game its very possible

 

[Cotton]

I'd much rather play Det than GB. Yes, Det has a good defense, but Rodgers in Dallas, no weather issues...just not a good match up for us. They remind me of the Colts in that they have been just scuffling along and picking up wins, but not looking good in doing so.

Agreed across the board.

 

[shane]

Rest all of our best players next week.

 

[Cotton]

Rest all of our best players next week.

I would agree with this. Barring a small miracle we aren't getting the #1 spot, so just let most of the starters sit and be as healthy as possible going into our first playoff game.*

*never thought I would be saying that this year.

 

[mcnuttz]

Yeah they're riding a hot streak, but I'd definitely rest Romo and Murray, and then anyone else nursing an injury.

This game means nothing and if they're going to make a run in the playoffs they need to be as healthy as possible.