Dallas vs. Arizona: 5 Playoff Scenarios That Come into Play with a Dallas Win

Anyone who thought that the Dallas Cowboys would stand to win the NFC East and make the playoffs back in Week 6 after their four point loss to the Patriots please raise your hand? What about their 27 point thrashing at the hands of the Eagles? Uh-huh.

Well, now the Dallas Cowboys are in prime position to win the division and possibly host a playoff game. Dallas has the destiny of their season in the palm of their hands and a win on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals would only strengthen their position.

After the Cards Dallas has the Giants, the Bucs, the Eagles and the Giants once more. The road to success starts on Sunday against the Cards.

But what happens if Dallas beats everyone on their schedules sans the Giants? The Cowboys end up a record of 10-6 and tie with New York? What if the Eagles finish the season at 9-7 with Dallas beating only the Cards and Bucs? A few interesting scenarios may play out but lets take a look at five that could very well happen if Dallas wins on Sunday.

Cowboys/Giants Split, Dallas Makes Playoffs

If Dallas wins every single game from here on out except for one of their games against the Giants then the Cowboys are in the playoffs. No matter if the Giants win every game except for one to Dallas, the Cowboys are in the playoffs.

With this scenario the Lions get their act together and beat the Saints, Raiders and Chargers and would sneak into the second season. If this happens then Dallas would host the Lions for a wildcard playoff game and we would have a rematch of their Week 4 game of infamy.

Of course, the Lions would have to wake up but either way the 'Boys are in.

Giants Sweep, Cowboys Make Playoffs

Now here is an interesting scenario for 'Boys fans. If Dallas is swept by the Giants and New York wins every game post their Week 13 match-up with the Pack, both teams are in the playoffs.

The Giants would host the Bears and the Cowboys would travel to New Orleans to face the Saints. Not an ideal playoff spot for the Cowboys but at least they are in. Dallas would still have to beat the Bucs and the Eagles, of course.

With this one, the Saints win out and the Bears only lose one game down the stretch and that one is to the Packers. Green Bay and San Fran have the top two seeds sewn up and two teams from the NFC East make it into the second season.

Cowboys Win Out, Host Wildcard Playoff Game

Dallas has every chance to win the rest of the games on their schedule. They have a stout running game, a strong defense and a very talented quarterback.

With this setting, Dallas goes 12-4 and will host the Chicago Bears on wildcard weekend. The Cowboys, Bears, Falcons and Saints would make it with Dallas possibly beating the Bears and traveling to the N.O. or beating Chicago and hosting the Falcons.

I think this situation has about a 40 percent chance of happening, as Dallas will have to bring their triple A game to beat the Giants twice.

Cowboys Drop Three out of Four, out of Playoffs

The Cowboys lose to the Giants twice and the Eagles once as their only win comes against Tampa Bay. As the picture goes with this setting, the Giants finish 9-7 along with the Cowboys but because the Giants sweep they are left out of the playoffs.

The Giants will host a playoff game because they will emerge as winners of the NFC East and the Bears finish second in the north. Crazy, right?

So all Dallas has to do is beat the Eagles, the Giants once and the Bucs. Three games and they are in the playoffs.

Cowboys Are in with Three Wins

From what I gather in the NFC this is pretty much a five team race between Dallas, the Giants, Chicago, the Lions and Atlanta. The Saints are pretty much in, barring a monumental collapse, and I'm pretty confident that the Bears will hold on to the make the playoffs.

The Cowboys just have to split their season series with the Giants and beat the Bucs and they should be safe. Dallas can lose to the Eagles and still make it in if they simply beat New York.

Now if the 'Boys blow this game on Sunday against the Cards then all bets are off but as long as they take care of business they control their own destiny.