The Cowboys have only one path to the playoffs now, but Dak Prescott just told you the truth about it
Not even Dak Prescott is buying into the Cowboys’ playoff chances.
No, the Dallas Cowboys aren’t mathematically done even after a painful Week 15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
But in a much more real sense, they’re out. And even quarterback Dak Prescott was willing to admit it when talking to reporters postgame. But first, what’s the one scenario that could sneak America’s Team into the 2025 NFL Playoffs?
Cowboys are down to one path to the playoffs
The Cowboys are officially out of the wild-card race. At six wins, their ceiling is nine wins. There are already two projected wild-card teams at 10, and the Green Bay Packers are at nine. Even if they lost every game from here on out, Dallas would have no shot.
Instead, the Cowboys’ only path goes through the NFC East. And the required combination is highly unlikely.
- Cowboys WIN OUT.
- Eagles LOSE OUT.
With two games remaining against the Washington Commanders, I wouldn’t bet on the Eagles collapsing. And quite frankly, I wouldn’t bet on Dallas going 3-0 with all motivation out the window.
Dak Prescott keeps it real following loss
Per the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, the Cowboys have a 1% probability of making the postseason. But not even Prescott is holding out much hope, and frankly, I can’t blame him for it.
“Unfortunately, I’m sure the playoffs are out of the picture,” Prescott said Sunday night. “But it’s about taking pride in who you are as a man, and not only that, and your job and everything that’s gotten you to this point.”
Prescott often talks about controlling what you can control, so it’s not hard to see why he’s not putting much stock into the Eagles losing out, which Dallas needs to make the postseason. What is important for Dallas, though, is ending the year on a positive note by winning out. Even that seems like a tall task.
Prescott was under constant pressure
Prescott would be the first to tell you he wasn’t perfect in Week 15, but truth be told, pass protection is what did the offense in on Sunday’s loss to the Vikings. Prescott was pressured on 51.2% of his dropbacks. Per Next Gen Stats, that’s the highest rate he’s dealt with since 2022. He was sacked twice and hit 11 times.
“We didn’t have an answer for Cover 0,” Prescott added on the Vikings’ pressures.
Going into 2026, offensive tackle will be as high a priority as defensive relief, which has been the most common answer in discussions about the Cowboys’ team needs. It needs to get better during what could be Prescott’s final stretch in Dallas.
Dallas Cowboys News
The Dallas Cowboys just made a very telling decision on Trevon Diggs’ future that felt inevitable all along
Sure looks like this is it.
