Updated NFL playoff picture for Cowboys looks grim after loss to Falcons

Things officially went from bad to worse for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Not only did they take a 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, marking the third straight setback for America's Team, but they also lost Dak Prescott to a hamstring injury, one that's expected to keep him out of action for multiple weeks.

All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb also suffered an injury to his right shoulder, which has been revealed to be a sprained AC joint. Luckily for Dallas, it's not considered serious, and there's a chance Lamb could suit up to catch passes from Cooper Rush against the rival Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10.

This upcoming game with the Birds was already a must-win for Mike McCarthy & Co. even before the loss to Atlanta. But now, that's 100% the case. If the Cowboys' season isn't already over, it certainly will be if they take a fourth straight defeat on Sunday.

The Eagles, of course, didn't do Dallas any favors as it pertains to the NFC East race in Week 9, earning their fourth straight victory with a 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars to improve to 6-2.

The first-place Washington Commanders didn't do so either, improving to 7-2 with a 27-22 win over the New York Giants. So, it's quite clear that the Cowboys aren't winning the division unless they somehow manage to sweep their four remaining games with Washington and Philly. And that's just not happening.

The only path to the playoffs for this 3-5 Dallas team is a wild-card berth, and that window has just about shut as well.

Updated NFC playoff picture and standings heading into Week 10

Here's a look at the seven teams who would comprise the NFC side of the bracket if the postseason were starting tomorrow.

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

As for the Cowboys, they're sitting all the way down in the 13th position, better than only the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and the aforementioned Giants, all of whom enter Week 10 at 2-7.

As you can see, Green Bay currently holds the final wild-card slot. And with the Packers at 6-3 heading into their bye week, Dallas would have to make up a lot of ground the rest of the way even to come close to getting into contention.

Plus, they'd have to surpass every other team ahead of them in the NFC standings also vying for one of the three wild-card berths, a group that currently consists of the Chicago Bears (No. 8, 4-4), San Francisco 49ers (No. 9, 4-4), Los Angeles Rams (No. 10, 4-4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 11, 4-5), and Seattle Seahawks (No. 12, 4-5).

Sorry, Cowboys fans, this isn't happening.

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