Cowboys vs. Giants: Postseason Scenarios for Both a Dallas Win and Loss

Well, this is it. The Dallas Cowboys go for all or nothing on Sunday night in New York.

Win, and the ‘Boys will most likely host the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Lose, and Dallas flies back home to possibly face a horizon filled with new beginnings. Maybe a new head coach and new defensive coordinator will await the team, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

This is a real must-win game for Dallas, as its 2011 season hangs in the balance.

Dallas lost to the New York Giants 37-34 in Arlington a few weeks ago, and the loss still stings too many fans. The ‘Boys were up by 12 with just 5:41 seconds to go, but the Cowboys defense collapsed and the Giants pulled off the unlikely victory.

Things may be different at home for the Giants on Sunday, as they are 3-4 at the New Meadowlands stadium, losing to teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins on their home turf.

Looking ahead, there are a few ideal postseason scenarios for Dallas if they win. Same goes for the Giants, but the hope is that Dallas can pull off what most think they cannot: a victory.

Here are five postseason situations for the Cowboys, with a win or a loss.

Win: Falcons at Cowboys

I truly think that this game will happen.

Atlanta is an even 4-4 on the road this year, and the Falcons give up 235 yards through the air each game. Romo has the potential to have a field day against this secondary if the two teams link up.

Atlanta has the luxury to "rest" a few starters on Sunday as the Falcons face a Tampa Bay team on the verge of possibly firing its coach due to a nasty nine-game losing streak. Dallas has to play everyone, as the Cowboys' game is far more important.

In the end, I believe that Dallas will make it back to the second round of the NFL postseason for the second time in three seasons.

Loss: Dallas Goes Home

This one isn't really a scenario; its more of a truth.

If Dallas travels to N.Y. and takes an "L," then look out for what team owner Jerry Jones may do in the offseason. The defensive secondary needs a complete overhaul, the offensive line requires more pieces, a new backup quarterback is needed, the defensive line needs a true pass rusher, etc...

The questions will pile in bunches if Dallas fails to make it to the playoffs, and rightfully so.

I've said for awhile that the Cowboys' year is next year, not this one. There are too many holes to fill, and Dallas doesn't seem ready to overcome those issues just yet.

Win: Lions at Cowboys

I like this one because the Cowboys have a shot at revenge.

In order for this game to happen, the Lions will have to beat the Packers, which is possible. Then they'd win the prize of traveling to Dallas or N.Y.

I don't believe the Lions will beat Green Bay, but if they do, this is the game we'll get to see. How many Cowboys fans would love to see the Lions fall on the Cowboys' sword in the playoffs?

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and I'm sure some players in the Dallas locker room are ready to hand it out.

Loss: Falcons at Giants

My thought is that the Giants aren't a good home team, and they will be one-and-done no matter who they play.

Come Atlanta or Detroit, the Giants just aren't a very good football team.

Eli went 9-for-27 on Sunday against the Jets and finished with a quarterback rating of just 61.5. He didn't play that well, and I believe we can expect more of the same when the Giants are in their cushy Meadowlands lair.

Win: Cowboys Beat Falcons/Lions, Face 49ers

This one is a toss-up, but if Dallas ends up playing the San Francisco 49ers, then we’ve seen this movie before.

Doesn’t it sound familiar?

At any rate, the Cowboys have traveled to San Fran and beat the upstart 49ers before, and they can do it again. According to Chris Sprow of ESPN Insider, the Niners and Broncos have been the league’s luckiest teams.

You know what they say about luck, right? Yeah, me either.

Just know that Dallas can get it done again.