Updated NFL playoff picture following Cowboys crushing loss to 49ers

After falling behind by 17 points to the San Francisco 49ers late in the third quarter on Sunday night, the Dallas Cowboys gave a valiant effort over the final 15 minutes but ultimately fell short in their comeback attempt, taking a 30-24 defeat.

While obviously not as embarrassing as the 47-9 thumping they took at the hands of the Detroit Lions two weeks ago, this was still a crushing loss for the Cowboys, who fell to 3-4 on the season and are now in serious jeopardy of missing the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 2020.

As it pertains to winning the NFC East, the two teams Dallas is chasing didn't do them any favors on Sunday.

The Washington Commanders, of course, scored a wild last-second victory over the Chicago Bears, as former Cowboys receiver Noah Brown came down with Jayden Daniels' miraculous Hail Mary attempt with zero ticks remaining on the clock, giving Dan Quinn's squad an improbable 18-15 win. Washington is now 6-2 on the year.

The Philadelphia Eagles didn't need a last-second miracle to get their win in Week 8, as they trounced the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 37-17, upping their winning streak to three and improving to 5-2 overall.

The good news for the Cowboys is that they still have two games each against both teams, so they'll have their chances to get back in the mix. The bad news for America's Team is that they don't look like they can beat either one of them right now.

If Dallas is going to make the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season, it'll likely have to be as a wild-card team. So, let's have a look at where the Cowboys stand in the NFC playoff picture.

Updated NFC playoff picture and standings heading into Week 9

With Dallas now preparing to take on the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons, here's a look at the seven teams that make up the NFC side of the postseason bracket heading into Week 9.

1. Detroit Lions (6-1, 1st NFC North)
2. Washington Commanders (6-2, 1st NFC East)
3. Atlanta Falcons (5-3, 1st NFC South)
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-4, 1st NFC West)
5. Green Bay Packers (6-2, 2nd NFC North)
6. Minnesota Vikings (5-2, 3rd NFC North)
7. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2, 2nd NFC East)

A week ago, the Cowboys were in the No. 10 slot in the overall NFC standings. But, given how everything played out in Week 8, they've now tumbled to 13th.

As you can see, the Eagles have moved into the final wild-card slot. And they've got what should be a winnable game this Sunday against Jacksonville, although the Jags did give the Green Bay Packers all they could handle in Week 8 in a last-second loss. Dallas and Philly meet up in Week 10 in what's become a true must-win for Mike McCarthy & Co.

As for those chasing the No. 7 spot at the moment, the Cowboys sit behind the Bears (No. 8, 4-3), Buccaneers (No. 9, 4-4), 49ers (No. 10, 4-4), Seahawks (No. 11, 4-4), and Rams (No. 12, 3-4).

The upcoming schedule for the Cowboys is brutal. After facing the Falcons this Sunday, they've then got the aforementioned date in Week 10 with the Eagles. They'll then take on the AFC South-leading Houston Texans on Monday Night Football in Week 11 before their first matchup with the Commanders in Week 12.

Their lone game against a non-playoff team over the next month is their Thanksgiving Day matchup with the New York Giants. But if the Cowboys can't at least earn a 2-2 split over the next four weeks, their season may already be over by then.

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