NFL Playoff Predictions: Dallas Cowboys and Teams That Will Miss out

The good news for the Dallas Cowboys is that they aren't the only team that's going to watch their playoff hopes turns to dust on Sunday.

This likely will provide them little solace, but hey—it's always nice to know you aren't alone. 

Dallas Cowboys

Week 17 Opponent: at Giants 

The Cowboys and Giants are set to battle in what amounts to the NFC East championship game. The winner gets the division, and the loser gets their offseason. 

These two just met in Week 14 in what was a thrilling 37-34 victory by the Giants. That game clearly demonstrated how evenly matched these two teams are.

However, a few things have drastically changed from that matchup that tells us this game will not be as close.

The first, and most obvious, is that this game is in New York. The Giants have played drastically better at home this season—they are 5-2.

The other two big factors have to do with the Cowboys health. Dallas lost DeMarco Murray for the season in the first matchup with the Giants.

Felix Jones picked up the slack in the running game initially. However, the workload has taken its toll, and the Cowboys' rushing attack will now limp into this game.

That's going to put the burden of the offense on Tony Romo's shoulders...and his bruised throwing hand. This shouldn't affect Romo to a great degree in the game, but even the slightest decline in edge will be amplified here.

Prediction: Giants 27, Cowboys 21 

Denver Broncos

Week 17 Opponent: Chiefs 

The Broncos have exhausted their miracles, and their postseason hopes are about to be a victim of that exhaustion. If the Broncos lose and the Raiders win, Denver's season will be over. That's exactly what is going to happen. 

After doing an amazing job of protecting the ball, Tim Tebow was hit with a rash of turnovers last week. Tebow had three INTs and two fumbles (one lost) last week. While it would be absurd to expect him to turn the ball over four times again—it's beyond reasonable to expect a couple against a Chiefs defense that's playing very solid football. 

Even more concerning than Tebow's turnovers though is the fact that the Broncos defense has fallen off the map. They have given up at least 32 points in three of their last four games. 

The Chiefs will be able to stifle this weak offense, and—with a QB fueled by revenge—exploit the Broncos suddenly ineffective defense.

Prediction: Chiefs 20, Broncos 10

Cincinnati Bengals

Week 17 Opponent: Ravens 

The Bengals are in the driver's seat for the final AFC wild card. They will also get a big boost when the Raiders claim the AFC West crown. 

That will mean that both the Titans and Jets will have to win, combined with the Bengals' loss, for Cincinnati to miss out. Those should be close games, but with the Titans' and Jets' fighting for their playoff lives against teams with nothing to play for, they get the edge. 

What isn't in doubt, is the fact that the Bengals are going to lose. The Bengals played the Ravens competitively in Baltimore in Week 11—they lost 31-24.

However, there's no way the Bengals are going to duplicate that effort. That 24 points is the most they have scored since Week 9. They also set a season high in yardage that game against the vaunted Ravens defense. And that was the most yards the Ravens have given up all season.

The Ravens defense is going to be out for revenge and a bye week. This will be enough to fuel them towards dominance and the Bengals to their demise.