Updated NFL Playoff picture and standings after Cowboys get crushed by Lions
By Luke Norris
While the NFL postseason is still three months away, it's never too early to start looking at where the Dallas Cowboys stand in the NFC playoff picture, even if America's Team looked nothing like a playoff contender while taking a 47-9 thrashing at the hands of the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon.
Undefeated at home a season ago, the Cowboys have yet to win at AT&T Stadium this season and have allowed an average of 39.7 points per game in those three losses.
The Dallas defense could do nothing to stop the Lions' offense, allowing a season-worst 492 total yards. And while the Cowboys' offense amassed 251 yards, the majority of that total came in the second half when the outcome was already decided.
All in all, it was just a bad day for Dallas, and the bye week couldn't come at a better time. Thankfully for the Cowboys, the Washington Commanders lost to the Baltimore Ravens, so even at 3-3, they're still just one game back in the NFC East.
However, with the Philadelphia Eagles moving to 3-2 with a win over the Cleveland Browns, the Cowboys now find themselves in third place in the division and are not among the seven NFC teams that would qualify for the playoffs if they started tomorrow.
Updated NFC playoff picture and standings after Week 6
Here's a look at the seven squads that make up the NFC side of the postseason bracket following the results in Week 6.
- Minnesota Vikings (5-0, 1st NFC North)
- Atlanta Falcons (4-2, 1st NFC South)
- Washington Commanders (4-2, 1st NFC East)
- San Francisco 49ers (3-3, 1st NFC West)
- Detroit Lions (4-1, 2nd NFC North)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2, 2nd NFC South)
- Green Bay Packers (4-2, 3rd NFC North)
As it stands now, the Cowboys sit in the No. 10 slot in the NFC.
With a decisive win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, the Chicago Bears improved to 4-2 and are two spots ahead of Dallas at No. 8. As mentioned, the Eagles moved to 3-2 with a four-point win over the Browns and sit in the No. 9 slot.
While the Cowboys have a bye in Week 7, which, again, they sorely need to reset, they've got a tough five-week stretch that follows.
In Week 8, they've got a road date on Sunday Night Football with the San Francisco 49ers. They'll stay on the road in Week 9 as they visit the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons. Dallas will return home in Week 10 to host the Eagles and then host the AFC South-leading Houston Texans in Week 11 before hitting the road in Week 12 to take on the division-leading Commanders.
While the postseason is still three months away, the NFC playoff picture might not matter at all if the Cowboys can't win a few of these upcoming games.