Despite their 3-5-1 record through the first 10 weeks of this 2025 campaign, the Cowboys haven't quite played themselves out of postseason contention just yet, even if it might have felt that way after an embarrassing loss to the Arizona Cardinals ahead of their much-needed bye.
Dallas actually had several games go its way while they sat home this past weekend, and while there's no hope of winning the NFC East after the Philadelphia Eagles improved to 7-2 this past Monday night, America's Team heads into Week 11 just two games behind the Green Bay Packers, who were the victims of that Philly victory but still currently hold the final wild-card slot in the NFC at 5-3-1.
That said, the Cowboys still have three other teams between themselves and the Packers, those being the San Francisco 49ers (6-4), the Carolina Panthers (5-5), and the Minnesota Vikings (4-5). So, they'll certainly have to continue hoping that more games they can't control go their way, and, of course, they'll obviously have to rack up more wins of their own. But while some of their remaining games don't necessarily set up for that, there are some that do, especially if the defense improves even a little bit after the acquisitions of Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson.
Here's a quick look at what the remaining slate looks like for Dallas, with each opponent's current win-loss record listed as well.
- Week 11: at Las Vegas Raiders (2-7)
- Week 12: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)
- Week 13: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
- Week 14: at Detroit Lions (6-3)
- Week 15: vs. Minnesota Vikings (4-5)
- Week 16: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
- Week 17: at Washington Commanders (3-7)
- Week 18: at New York Giants (2-8)
Remaining strength of schedule for all 32 NFL teams heading into Week 11
Now, let's have a look at where Dallas ranks among the 32 NFL franchises in terms of remaining strength of schedule heading into Week 11.
Rank | Team | Remaining Games | Opp. Win Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carolina Panthers | 7 | .569 |
T2 | Indianapolis Colts | 7 | .562 |
T2 | Arizona Cardinals | 8 | .562 |
T2 | Chicago Bears | 8 | .562 |
T5 | Detroit Lions | 8 | .548 |
T5 | Los Angeles Rams | 8 | .547 |
7 | Seattle Seahawks | 8 | .547 |
8 | Kansas City Chiefs | 8 | .546 |
9 | Green Bay Packers | 8 | .541 |
10 | Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | .539 |
11 | Houston Texans | 8 | .533 |
12 | Washington Commanders | 7 | .523 |
13 | Minnesota Vikings | 8 | .520 |
T14 | Las Vegas Raiders | 8 | .513 |
T14 | New York Jets | 8 | .513 |
16 | Buffalo Bills | 8 | .507 |
T17 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 8 | .500 |
T17 | Denver Broncos | 7 | .500 |
T19 | New York Giants | 7 | .492 |
T19 | San Francisco 49ers | 7 | .492 |
21 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8 | .487 |
22 | Tennessee Titans | 8 | .486 |
23 | Dallas Cowboys | 8 | .480 |
24 | Cincinnati Bengals | 8 | .473 |
25 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 8 | .466 |
26 | Baltimore Ravens | 8 | .459 |
27 | Atlanta Falcons | 8 | .453 |
28 | Cleveland Browns | 8 | .452 |
29 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8 | .447 |
30 | Miami Dolphins | 7 | .439 |
31 | New Orleans Saints | 7 | .354 |
32 | New England Patriots | 7 | .338 |
As you can see, the Cowboys have the 10th-easiest remaining schedule in the league and the fourth-easiest slate among NFC teams.
Monday's matchup with the two-win Raiders is an absolute must-win, as a defeat there would just be inexcusable. Losses are coming, of course, but Las Vegas can't be on that list.
After that comes a second showdown with the defending champion Eagles, whom the Cowboys took down to the wire in Week 1 before coming up just short in a 24-20 defeat. One has to assume at this point that Philly wins this one as well, but you just never know in rivalry matchups.
Then comes the highly anticipated Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, who, like the Cowboys, would not be in the postseason if it started today, as Patrick Mahomes & Co. currently sit in the No. 8 slot in the AFC standings at 5-4. The Chiefs have a tough two weeks coming up, as they take on the Denver Broncos this Sunday and then have a date with the Indianapolis Colts just four days ahead of their battle with Dallas. So, they could certainly be vulnerable on Turkey Day.
The following Thursday, the Cowboys take on the Detroit Lions, who just took a 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders this past week but had dropped two of three before that. Make no mistake about it; the Lions are the better team here and will be big favorites, but they can be beaten.
After a 10-day break, Dallas then has a Week 15 date in primetime with the Vikings, who, as mentioned, are one of the teams currently ahead of them in the standings. It's tough to know what to make of this team, as J.J. McCarthy is still a bit of a mystery, looking fantastic at times and extremely average at others. This is undoubtedly a game the Cowboys need to win.
Week 16 brings the Los Angeles Chargers, who are 7-3 but haven't gotten nearly enough attention for having one of the best records in the NFL. If Justin Herbert is on that day, the Dallas secondary could be in big trouble. This is easily one of the most daunting games on the schedule.
And finally, to close things out, Dallas hits the road for a Week 17 matchup in Maryland on Christmas Day with the Commanders, followed by the regular-season finale in New Jersey with the Giants. The Cowboys have already beaten both, and if they're still in the mix when these two games roll around, they'll undoubtedly have to complete the season sweep in both to get themselves into the playoffs.
Again, a lot of other things will likely need to happen for the Cowboys to reach the postseason, and that's even if they can win five or six of these final eight, which is obviously a long shot. But as the saying goes, that's why you play the games.