We have made it through Week 17 of the 2022 season and the Dallas Cowboys (12-4) somehow, some way, are still up for both the NFC East and the number one seed in the playoffs.

The Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) latest loss makes it two in a row. It also means that even though they're in the playoffs, they haven't clinched anything.

Now, there are a number of ways next week can shake out for the Cowboys. For how they and the rest of the NFC will shape itself.

The #Cowboys path for playoff seeding:
1 seed: Phi lose to NYG, SF+Min lose at least once. Dal beat Was
2 seed: Phi lose to NYG, Min win out+SF loss or SF win out+ Min loss. Dal beat Was
3 seed: Phi lose to NYG, SF and Min win out. Dal beat Was
5 seed: Phi win or Dal loss

— Matt Owen (@ProfessorO_NFL) January 1, 2023

So what now? How do the Dallas Cowboys approach Week 18?

Part of this will factor on how/if the NFL decided to flex the schedule once again.

Obviously, the league knows just how much of a cash grab the Cowboys are for TV ratings.

Over half of the 10 most viewed games this season involved the Cowboys. If they want that to continue, it will likely come in a way that will make the Cowboys play their starters.

There are two key factors that can affect this.

1. Do the New York Giants play their starters?
2. Is it better for the Cowboys in the long run to sit their starters?

If the Giants sit their starters, it makes sense. They are in the playoffs and have clinched the sixth seed. Can't go up or down.

There is no incentive for them to play their starters other than for pride or to avoid fatigue. But Giants head coach Brian Daboll has experience in this with his time in Buffalo, and might instead opt to play his starters for a short time, rather than not at all.

But even if the Giants play their starters, should Dallas?

There are many incentives for the Cowboys to sit their starters in Week 18. Risking losing the number one seed.

A Washington loss and Green Bay win means the number one seed plays the lowest remaining loser. Assuming it's Green Bay, is it possible the red-hot Packers team beats Minnesota (again) and goes on the road to Dallas as a threat?

Would it not be better that the Packers have the possibility of taking on the Eagles in the second round instead of Dallas?

As a fifth seed, the Cowboys would take on a hurting Tampa Bay team, with the potential to take on the 49ers in a rematch? Conventional wisdom says taking on Brock Purdy instead of Aaron Rodgers is a more favorable matchup in the playoffs.

There are a number of factors that will determine how Dallas plays in next week.

Lose to keep Green Bay out, but also accept they fifth seed. Compete to eliminate Washington without guarantee of the number one seed.

The Cowboys have the ball in their court. Even though they may want to compete the final week, they need to look at it from the bigger picture.

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj for USA TODAY Sports