The Dallas Cowboys currently sit at the no. 2 seed in the NFC West with three games left to go in the regular season. Dallas has an outside shot at the top seed and are a win — or an Eagles loss — away from locking up the division.

There are a bunch of different scenarios that could impact where the Dallas Cowboys will ultimately end up to start postseason play. Depending on different outcomes, the Cowboys could have a first-round bye or could be playing in the difficult four versus five matchup.

Avoiding the fourth seed is the key for the Cowboys for the remainder of the season. The no. 4 seed in the NFC will play the runner-up of the NFC West: either the Arizona Cardinals or the Los Angeles Rams. Right now, the Rams are in that spot, but Sean McVay still has his team in the hunt for the division crown.

Both teams provide difficult opponents. Arizona and Los Angeles have each looked the part of a legitimate championship contender for much of this season. Either squad can be representing the conference in the Super Bowl at season's end.

WHY COWBOYS NEED TO AVOID THE NO. 4 SEED

The Dallas Cowboys are a real championship contender in their own right. Dallas has a playmaking defense that is playing lights out. Micah Parsons is in the thick of the defensive player of the year race as a rookie, and Trevon Diggs is a ballhawk in the secondary.

Despite the struggles offensively, it is well-documented what Dak Prescott and company can do when hitting on all cylinders. The last three games provide that side of the ball some opportunities to get back in a groove ahead of the playoffs.

What the Cowboys do not want is to have to play against another Super Bowl contender right out of the gate. Both the Cardinals and the Rams have dangerous offenses to go along with talented defenses. Kyler Murray is a superstar, and McVay has the Rams offense rolling.

The Cowboys will get a preview of what the Cardinals can do in the week 17 matchup, but DeAndre Hopkins won't be in action. Dallas has not seen the Rams since week one of last year, where the Cowboys lost in controversial fashion.

Obviously, the top-seed is the ultimate goal. That would give the Cowboys a week to rest and play one less game in the road to a potential Super Bowl berth. However, the biggest objective for the remainder of the year is avoiding that dreaded fourth seed.

Dallas has opportunities these next few weeks to lock up a top-3 seed in the NFC and delay a potential postseason matchup against the NFC West heavyweights.

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