Cowboys: What their likeliest Super Bowl path looks like

The Dallas Cowboys have won the NFC East following a Week 18 win over the Washington Commanders. Not only does that mean the Cowboys will host a playoff game in the Wild Card round, but it also means if they advance, they'd stay at AT&T Stadium for at least the Divisional Round as well. Now […]

Mauricio Rodriguez — Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) drops back to pass during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
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The Dallas Cowboys have won the NFC East following a Week 18 win over the Washington Commanders.

Not only does that mean the Cowboys will host a playoff game in the Wild Card round, but it also means if they advance, they'd stay at AT&T Stadium for at least the Divisional Round as well.

Now that the Cowboys are moving on to the tournament, there's no schedule to look at beyond the first weekend, when they'll face the Green Bay Packers. 

The Wild Card round's results will determine the matchups after that but in the meantime, I thought it'd be a good idea to lay out what's the likeliest path to the Super Bowl for the Cowboys. 

Assuming the likely favorites win in each of the below Wild Card games, let's go through how the dominoes are likely to fall as well as some thoughts on each potential game. 

  • #1 SF 49ers – Bye Week
  • #7 GB Packers vs #2 DAL Cowboys
  • #6 L.A. Rams vs #3 DET Lions
  • #5 PHI Eagles vs #4 TB Buccaneers

Wild Card Round: vs Green Bay Packers

This matchup won't be the same that it was in the past. The Packers no longer have certified Cowboys boogeyman Aaron Rodgers. Although Jordan Love has been very promising in his first year as a starter, their defense is very vulnerable.

The Cowboys should find success against defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who has one foot out of Green Bay. 

Divisional Round: vs Detroit Lions

The Cowboys could be getting a rematch against the Lions after they got the win in controversial fashion back in Week 17.

It'd sure be a good opportunity for Dallas to silence the critics who consistently ignore the tripping penalty assigned to the wrong team during the previous drive. 

The Cowboys should be careful on this one, though. Head coach Dan Campbell will have his Lions fired up for potential revenge. If Detroit falls to the Rams, an NFC East Cowboys-Eagles game is totally possible in this round.

NFC Championship Game: @ San Francisco 49ers

Mufasa… oooh… Mufasa… It's no secret that just like Shenzi in the Lion King, Cowboys fans hear the Niners' name and they shudder. 

If the Cowboys are to make it to Super Bowl LVIII, it's extremely likely that they'll have to go through San Francisco. The conference's juggernaut has proven to be a test Dallas can't pass quite yet.

They'll get another shot at them after a blowout loss to them in Week 5. The good news? They have a completely different offense than they did in October. Can the Cowboys get a different outcome with a pass-happy offense that's made Dak Prescott an MVP candidate? 

Super Bowl: vs Baltimore Ravens

The AFC playoffs are going to be absolutely wild. But we're keeping it simple on this one and going with the one-seed as the projected Super Bowl rival. 

A matchup against the Ravens would be dangerous. Mike MacDonald has shut down several of the top offenses in the NFL and Lamar Jackson is likely winning his second MVP. It would take a herculean effort to beat them in Las Vegas.

But if the Cowboys make it that far, who's to doubt them from getting the win?

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