The Dallas Cowboys are never not in the spotlight, but after the Micah Parsons trade, they were under a microscope.
The Cowboys have one of the best and most electric offenses in the entire NFL. With the addition of George Pickens in the offseason, Dak Prescott has been playing MVP-caliber football.
The issue was that the Cowboys' defense was by far the worst in the league, which canceled out the offense's efficiency. This prompted Jerry Jones to trade for so many much-needed additions on that side of the ball. Since acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the Jets and linebacker Logan Wilson from the Bengals, the defense has shown real improvement.
The Cowboys have won three consecutive games since their bye and are aiming for a fourth in a Thursday Night Football showdown against the Lions in Detroit.
Here is more on whether the Cowboys can make the 2025-26 postseason.
MORE WEEK 14 NFL:
- NFL power rankings for Week 14
- NFL Week 14 picks, predictions
- NFL Week 14 picks against the spread
Cowboys playoff picture
As it stands ahead of Thursday Night Football, the Cowboys are two games back from the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East title.
That is Dallas's best way of clinching a playoff spot. However, the Wild Card is still available for the Cowboys to sneak their way in. Ahead of Week 14, Dallas is the second team on the bubble behind the Detroit Lions. Next Gen Stats give the Cowboys a 17% chance of making the playoffs.
Here is how the NFC playoff picture looks heading into Thursday Night Football between the Lions and Cowboys. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Chicago Bears | 9-3 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Rams | 9-3 |
| 3 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8-4 |
| 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7-5 |
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks | 9-3 |
| 6 | Green Bay Packers | 8-3-1 |
| 7 | San Francisco 49ers | 9-4 |
| 8 | Detroit Lions | 7-5 |
| 9 | Dallas Cowboys | 6-5-1 |
| 10 | Carolina Panthers | 7-6 |
| 11 | Atlanta Falcons | 4-8 |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | 4-8 |
| 13 | Arizona Cardinals | 3-9 |
| 14 | Washington Commanders | 3-9 |
| 15 | New Orleans Saints | 2-10 |
| 16 | New York Giants | 2-11 |
NFC East standings
| Team | Record |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 8-4 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 6-5-1 |
| Washington Commanders | 3-9 |
| New York Giants | 2-11 |
At one point, it seemed a wild-card spot would be Dallas' lone shot at the playoffs — not anymore.
With the Eagles' recent two-game skid paired with the Cowboys' three-game winning streak, an NFC East title is still in play for Dallas. It helps that the Cowboys knocked off the Eagles in Week 13, splitting the season series and improving their division record to 3-1.
While Philadelphia remains in the driver's seat, it's no longer a foregone conclusion that the defending Super Bowl champs will emerge from the NFC East.
Cowboys remaining schedule
The Cowboys' remaining four games are not just winnable, but favorable for Dallas. They'll take on just one playoff team in the Los Angeles Chargers, and they get them at home.
Then the Cowboys' other three opponents have a combined nine wins. This consists of the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15, followed by ending the season with two divisional games against the New York Giants and Washington Commanders.
Here is a look at Dallas' remaining schedule.
| Week | Opponent |
| 15 | vs. Vikings |
| 16 | vs. Chargers |
| 17 | at Commanders |
| 18 | at Giants |