Report: Cowboys Players Were Told They 'Can't Squander the No. 2 Seed' vs. Commanders

The Dallas Cowboys have a lot to play for in Week 18, even if a playoff spot is locked up.

Dallas is set to take on the Washington Commanders in their regular season finale. A victory would ensure the NFC East division title and the conference's No. 2 seed.

A loss, combined with a Philadelphia Eagles victory, would mean that Philadelphia takes the division title with Dallas primed for the No. 5 seed and a road playoff game in round one.

While the playoffs are guaranteed either way, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that team's focus is squarely on not losing its grip on the No. 2 seed.

"According to a league source, the message to the Cowboys this week was, 'We can't squander the No. 2 seed,'" Russini wrote. "If that happens? I would add Mike McCarthy to my list of coaches in trouble."

Russini reported that the Cowboys were reminded of the 2019 New England Patriots and the stakes involved in that regular-season finale, which saw the Patriots take on the 4-11 Miami Dolphins with a chance to clinch a first-round bye with a win.

Miami shocked New England with a 27-24 victory, relegating the Patriots to the No. 3 seed and into a Wild Card Matchup against the sixth-seeded Tennessee Titans. That was the first time the Tom Brady-led Patriots had played in the Wild Card round since 2009 and it did not go well, with the Titans winning 20-13 in a game that would be Brady's last with the franchise.

Dallas is not playing for a bye as the San Francisco 49ers have the sole bye locked up already. Still, hosting the No. 7 seed and securing a potential home game for the divisional round is plenty to play for, especially considering what the other side could be.

A loss and an Eagles victory would relegate Dallas to the No. 5 seed and make the team travel to the No. 4 seed, which will be the winner of the NFC South. A loss would still hurt Dallas even with an Eagles victory if the Detroit Lions were able to defeat the Minnesota Vikings as that could relegate Dallas to the three-seed and could potentially neutralize a second home game.

All of this stress is avoided with a Cowboys victory on Sunday and securing that win could be a pivot point that turns their postseason fortunes.