Cowboys' Keys to Capitalizing on Wide-Open NFC Playoff Race

The Dallas Cowboys will likely go into the NFC playoffs as the No. 5 seed, but their seeding may not match where they rank inside the hierarchy of the NFC.

After all, we are talking about a 12-4 team that is one result away from controlling its fate in the NFC East in Week 18.

Dallas needs the Philadelphia Eagles to lose to the New York Giants to open up a chance of winning the division and earning at least one playoff home game.

Philadelphia could get Jalen Hurts back, and the Giants may rest players with the No. 6 seed secured. That means the likely playoff path for the Cowboys starts in Tampa.

Dallas can match the quality of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the other five playoff teams in the NFC.

For a deep playoff run to happen, Dallas needs to keep up its well-rounded offense and find a way for Dak Prescott to avoid turnovers.

Defensively, the Cowboys have one of the best individual players in Micah Parsons, who could cause havoc against any quarterback he plays.

The rest of the defense around Parsons played well in spurts, but the Cowboys need a bit more consistency to find themselves in the Super Bowl.

Continue Offensive Balance

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 29: Dalton Schultz #86 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with Michael Gallup #13, Jake Ferguson #87 and Dak Prescott #4 after scoring a six yard touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter of the game at Nissan Stadium on December 29, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard will all be important pieces for the Dallas Cowboys offense to thrive in the postseason, but they can't be the only players receiving touches from Dak Prescott.

Prescott has done a decent job over the last few games to spread the ball out so that everyone feels comfortable in the offense.

In Week 17, seven players caught a pass from Prescott, and four of them totaled over 35 receiving yards. Eight players caught a pass in the Week 16 win over Philadelphia.

Michael Gallup has seven receptions in that stretch. His production beneath Lamb is vital because Prescott needs a top target to work with in case Lamb is blanketed by an opposing secondary.

T.Y. Hilton's four catches for 50 yards against the Tennessee Titans was another positive sign for the Dallas offense, as was Dalton Schultz's two-score performance.

Prescott can also call on Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot to catch passes from the tight end spot if needed.

The comfort of the depth players in the passing attack could be vital for the Cowboys if one of their stars gets shut down for an extended stretch in the postseason.

Dak Prescott Avoiding Turnovers

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 29: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys on the field during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 29, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Cowboys defeated the Titans 27-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Dak Prescott is Dallas' biggest liability entering the postseason.

Prescott threw multiple interceptions in three of the last four games.

The Dallas quarterback also lost a fumble in the Week 17 win over the Titans.

The Cowboys have been able to absorb most of Prescott's mistakes, but the one glaring mistake from that stretch was the pick-six he threw in overtime against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15.

If Prescott was more careful with the ball, the Cowboys may be level with the Eagles at 13-3 going into Week 18.

The avoidance of turnovers is vital for Prescott because teams like Tampa Bay will take advantage of those errors and not make many of their own.

Prescott has an interception in three of his four postseason starts, so that is a large concern entering the playoffs.

But if Prescott plays a clean game in the pocket in each round, the Cowboys could make a deep run that potentially leads them to the Super Bowl.

Rely on Defensive Stars

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 29: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys defends against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium on December 29, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs are almost guaranteed to make at least one difference-making play in every Cowboys game.

Parsons has 13 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles and three recoveries.

Diggs, meanwhile, has three interceptions and 14 passes defended.

Whether it be a sack, forced fumble or interception, Parsons and Diggs can shift the balance of power in a game in a second.

Dallas needs its defensive stars to continue that high level of play to affect Tom Brady and the other opposing quarterbacks it could face in the NFC playoffs.

If the high-impact plays and turnovers continue, and the offense is more effective, Dallas could be the most dangerous side in the seven-team field.