A Dallas Cowboys fans’ guide for who to root for in December
By Tyrone Starr
![CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 06: A Dallas Cowboys fan and a Cleveland Browns fan cheer during the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 6, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 06: A Dallas Cowboys fan and a Cleveland Browns fan cheer during the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 6, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthelandryhat-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F621457590-dallas-cowboys-v-cleveland-browns-jpg-a5dfffffc29959adf4c47f3451ded8cf5626a412aa2d48f3075b80a538d66932.jpg)
Seattle
Another team who is currently 7-4, the easiest path for Dallas is for Seattle to somehow lose three games as well. Yet another scheduling situation seems to make this entirely possible as well.
Seattle faces three straight teams before playing Dallas that are currently in the playoffs. As noted before, Dallas MUST beat them to have any shot. If Seattle loses two of the next three and the Dallas game, they too will all but assuredly watch the playoffs from their couches.
How to root regarding Seattle: losses vs. Philadelphia, vs. L.A. Rams and at Dallas, wins against Jacksonville and Arizona for strength of scheduling purposes.
Detroit
This is where the schedule does the Cowboys no favors. Detroit could conceivably run the table with their remaining five games. Only the Ravens as well as a possible Aaron Rodgers-led Green Bay team pose any real threats. Maybe Tampa Bay pulls off a shocker but otherwise, Dallas will need some luck when it comes to the Motor City Kitties.
How to root regarding Detroit: losses vs. Baltimore and any other remaining team (preferably from the NFC) which would give them seven losses.
In the ultimate dream scenario, Carolina, Atlanta and Seattle all lose three of their final five and Detroit loses two games. With Dallas running the table, that would guarantee them the fifth seed.
If Carolina and Seattle lose three of five and Detroit loses two, Dallas can get the sixth seed with Atlanta likely earning the fifth spot.
Detroit seems like the team most likely to throw a big wrench in the plans. Because of their remaining schedule, the Lions could be sneaky. A loss to a team from the NFC would be huge, however, as Dallas can get to eight NFC wins. If Detroit only manages seven (currently at five), Dallas would win that tiebreaker.
Next: The stellar performance no one is talking about
Dallas Cowboys fans, break out your Ouija boards, sacrifice some chickens and do whatever else you need to do. December is almost certainly heading for a wild ride to the wild card.