Mike McCarthy focused on 11 wins but here’s how Dallas Cowboys can still win NFC East
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Forgive Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy for not wanting to talk playoff scenarios and what the his team needs to win the NFC East and improve their seeding.
The Cowboys clinched their third straight trip to playoffs under McCarthy last weekend but it came despite an embarrassing 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Other scenarios made it possible and then a loss by the Philadelphia Eagles put the Cowboys (10-4) back in a first place tie atop the NFC East with three games to go.
McCarthy, however, is focused on getting the Cowboys to 11 wins by defeating the Miami Dolphins (10-4) Sunday and back on track after the loss to Buffalo.
“I’m going to be honest with you . . . my anticipation was we’d be standing here at 11 wins,” McCarthy said. “I do think 11 wins is a great time to take a step and look and that’s really I think what next week gives us. We have to get this opportunity in Miami, get to 11 wins. It will give us a clearer picture of what needs to be done. I just think it’s important to keep focus on getting to the 11th win and then I think they’ll be some clarity on what we need to do.”
Actually, if both team finish with the same record true clarity may not come until the end of the season because of the complicated NFL tie-breaking scenarios.
Considering that both team’s split their regular season meetings, the head-to-head portion is null and void.
The next tie breaker is division record and the Cowboys currently hold the edge with a 4-1 mark against NFC East opponent with a game against the Washington Commanders in the season final.
The Eagles are 3-1 in the division but have two games against the New York Giants left on their schedule.
If both teams win out, they would remain tied in division record.
One loss by either team in their remain division game tips the scale to the other.
Assuming both teams remain tied in division record, the next tie breaker is record against common opponents.
Going into this weekend’s game, the Cowboys are 7-3 against common opponents with the Eagles. Philadelphia is 6-3 but have three games left against common opponents, while the Cowboys have two.
The good news is if the Eagles drop any of their remaining games, it would give the edge the Cowboys.
What’s more is that the Cowboys could lose to the Detroit Lions (Dec. 30) and still have the edge if the Eagles suffer a loss.
Obviously, if both teams win out, they would remain tied scenario.
Next up is record with in the conference.
The Cowboys currently are 7-3 against NFC foes. The Eagles have a 6-3 record.
The Cowboys have to games left in the conference and the Eagles have three.
If the Eagles lose any of the remaining games — they have two against the Giants and one against the Arizona Cardinals — it would give the Cowboys the edge.
The Cowboys could even lose to the Dolphins have the leg up in the conference opponent tie breaker if the Eagles lose again.
If both teams win out, they would 9-3 in conference play and move the next tie breaker which is strength of victory.
The complicated strength of victory is the combined winning percentage of all teams beaten.
This where the Eagles have the decided edge with victories against opponents who are currently 69-71 (.493).
The Cowboys’ wins have come against opponents with records of 53-87 (.379).
The tie breaker won’t be officially determined until the end of the season.
But some major things need to happen in the Cowboys favor to overcome the Eagles in strength of the victory.
Bottom line, is the Cowboys need to win out, starting Sunday against the Miami and hope the Eagles lose a game to secure the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed.
Or as McCarthy said, get to 11 wins and go from there.
