NFL Playoff Picture: Dallas Cowboys and More Teams Losing Their Playoff Spot

The Dallas Cowboys, in just one week, have gone from a potential lock to win the NFC East Division to a team that is questionable to just make the playoffs.  

Over the span of six weeks, Dallas went from a 2-3 record that looked like a team going nowhere. To a 7-4 team that shot up the NFC East Division, overtaking the New York Giants for first place. They established a running game that gave them a balanced offense, which made it very hard to stop them.  

Now, after their disappointing loss to the Arizona Cardinals yesterday, it derails all of their positive momentum. Against Arizona, Dallas reverted back to being a pass-happy offense throwing the ball 42 times compared to 20 rushes. It was like they completely forgot about everything that DeMarco Murray did for them during their four-game winning streak.  

If Dallas wants to win the NFC East and make a serious run in the playoffs, they must get back to running the ball with Murray. If they do not, it will turn them back into a team that has a lot of talent but misses out of the playoffs. 

Chicago Bears 7-5

The Bears took a huge hit to their playoff chances when they lost starting quarterback Jay Cutler to a thumb injury. Now, it looks like Chicago will be without their most talented offensive player in running back Matt Forte for some time.  

Forte did not tear his MCL or ACL yesterday. However, the sprain to his MCL could put him out of action for two-to-four weeks.  

That means this Bears team will be without the talented running back against the red hot Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. If the injury has Forte out for four weeks, that has him missing the game against Green Bay, before finishing the season against the Minnesota Vikings.  

Without Forte, and being only one game up in the wild-card spot in the playoffs, it looks like the Bears will finish on the outside of the playoffs this year. 

Cincinnati Bengals 7-5 

The Bengals made a great run to make the playoffs this year. However, after yesterday’s lopsided defeat against the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-7, it looks like they will limp to the finish of the season. 

If Cincinnati finishes on the outside of the playoffs, it should not be looked at as a disappointing season. They came into this year with a rookie quarterback/wide receiver, and with the same defense that finished last year at 4-12.  

After losing three of their last four games, they sit tied with three teams for that last playoff spot in the AFC at 7-5. They go into their final four games against two division leaders in Houston and Baltimore and against two NFC West teams in Arizona and St. Louis.  

Let’s say they go 1-3 down the stretch and finish this year at 8-8. That will not be enough for this young Cincinnati team to hold off a surging New York Jets or a good Oakland Raiders team from overtaking them. 

These three teams currently are in the NFL playoffs, if they started today. However, with four weeks left, they all could be out of the playoffs when they officially start. 

Follow @tjmcaloon

T.J. McAloon's Projected NFL Playoff Picture 

Seed	Team	Record
NFC
1	Green Bay Packers	16-0
2	San Francisco 49ers	12-4
3	New Orleans Saints	12-4
4	New York Giants	9-7
5	Atlanta Falcons	10-6
6	Seattle Seahawks	9-7
AFC
1	New England Patriots	13-3
2	Baltimore Ravens	13-3
3	Houston Texans	13-3
4	Denver Broncos	10-6
5	Pittsburgh Steelers	13-3
6	Oakland Raiders	9-7