Cowboys can become NFC East favorites by Monday

Despite the Dallas Cowboys drawing one of the worst opening hands possible, playing in the NFC East has become their ace in the hole.

In the poker game of the 2015 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys drew one of the worst opening hands possible.

Countless missing starters, including long absences from team general Tony Romo and star receiver Dez Bryant, left Dallas holding five cards with no pairings.

The one silver lining in the Cowboys bad hand was drawing an ace card. The ace represented the team’s eventual return to full strength.

Luckily the opposing players reside in the porous NFC East, the only division a single ace just might win the hand.

While the hungry Cowboys look to feast on the undefeated Panthers this Turkey Day, a loss still won’t end their NFC East title hopes.

To relieve some stress while watching today’s big game, below I will show the Cowboys standing following the best and worst case outcomes of this holiday week.

DIVISION RECORD TRUMP CARD

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In the event of losing to Carolina and gaining eight total losses, Dallas can win the last five games and still call bets with their 4-2 NFC East record.

Within the division, only Washington’s one loss is better. Fortunately the Cowboys play them twice and would inflate that number to three losses.

The Giants and Eagles (both 2-2 in East) will face off the final weekend. The loser is guaranteed three divisional losses.

Even losing to Carolina won’t remove the Cowboys ability to win out and hold a stronger 4-2 hand than at least two divisional rivals.

8-8 Dallas would eliminate both Washington and the Giants-Eagles game loser, if either achieve the same 8-8 mark.

GROUNDED EAGLES

With New England (10-0), Arizona (8-2), and two more divisional match-ups still on deck, the Eagles (4-6) would be extremely lucky to reach 8-8.

Even with four wins in the last six games, Philadelphia must defeat both remaining NFC East foes (Redskins, Giants) to not forfeit the division tiebreaker to Dallas.

With three loses in the last four games, Chip Kelly’s team is imploding. After losing to Tampa Bay, coaches and teammates began to point fingers within their ranks.

The turmoil in Philly is far from stable enough to win four of their last six contests.

ALL BUT DEADSKINS

As for Washington (4-6), knocking them off requires little outside help. A loss to either New York, Chicago, Buffalo, or Philadelphia does the trick.

Since Dallas can beat them twice on top of that other one loss, even 8-8 won’t save their skin. The 8-8 Cowboys would steal the division tiebreaker.

CHASING GIANTS

The only strong threat facing an added loss, 8-8 Cowboys finish is the Giants (5-5).

New York must find three wins over the next six games to tie a Dallas team that wins five of their last six.

To win that tie, they must defeat both Washington and Philadelphia to claim a matching 4-2 NFC East mark.

NFC EAST BLESSINGS

A great outcome today would see Dallas dethroning Carolina and remain in solid position to win out and claim the division at 9-7.

However, the best case scenario and huge blessing occurs if Dallas beats Carolina AND Washington defeats New York.

In the not so far-fetched event this occurs, the Cowboys would then rip away the role of NFC East favorites.

At 5-6, the Giants would own an inferior 2-3 NFC East record. Even a game behind at 4-7, Dallas’ potential 4-2 division record provides an 8-8 tiebreaker over New York.

Since the Giants are the only serious threat to an 8-8 Dallas finish, losing to the Redskins and forfeiting the tiebreaker would be a monumental gift.

Imagine that, a Thanksgiving gift from the Redskins. Then a Cowboys win keeps them in position to win out, yet allows forgiveness in the event of a non-divisional misfire.

Next: Cowboys fans: Carolina may be sheep in Panthers clothing

When giving thanks and preparing for the Carolina showdown today, Cowboys fans can praise one more blessing…playing poker in the woeful NFC East.

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