The Dallas Cowboys will play yet another crucial game for their playoff hopes on Thursday night when they take on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
The Cowboys enter this game at 6-5-1 and on a three-game winning streak that includes very impressive wins over the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
However, the Cowboys still have some work to do in terms of making the playoffs, as they're on the outside looking in right now. Dallas is in second place in the NFC East and in the No. 9 spot in the conference playoff picture.
Here's what a win or loss against the Lions on Thursday night would mean for the Cowboys in the division and wild-card picture.
NFC East standings
1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
2. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
3. Washington Commanders (3-9)
4. New York Giants (2-11)
With a win:
The Cowboys would move one game closer in the win column ahead of the Eagles' Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. If Philly loses that game, Dallas would be one back in the loss column, also.
Bear in mind, tie-breakers don't apply since the Cowboys have a tie this season, so they need to finish with one loss less than Philly to secure the division.
So, if the Cowboys win and the Eagles lose this week, Dallas would be in a scenario where they could take over first place next week with another win combined with another Eagles loss.
With a loss:
The Eagles' magic number to clinch the division sits at four. Any Eagles win or Cowboys loss brings that number down.
Therefore, if the Cowboys lose on Thursday night, the Eagles' magic number goes down to three entering Monday. It would drop down to two if Philadelphia wins.
So, if the Cowboys lose and the Eagles win this week, Philly can clinch the division with the same results in Week 15.
NFC playoff picture
The Cowboys enter Week 14 sitting in the No. 9 spot in the conference.
| 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 |
With a win:
Dallas would jump the Lions for the No. 8 spot in the NFC but would still be two games behind the San Francisco 49ers for the final wild card spot.
With a loss:
The Cowboys would drop to the No. 10 spot behind the Carolina Panthers, who are idle this week. The Cowboys can't fall any lower than No. 10, though.
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