The Cowboys’ victory over the Colts last week, despite all of the frustrations that came with it, allowed them to keep hope alive in the NFC East and improve in the NFC wild card race. As improbable as playoff contention feels right now, the win in Indianapolis preserved enough mathematical possibilities that we’ll keep looking at things with unabashed optimism.
Sitting 13th in the NFC standings before last week, Dallas rose three spots as the Buccaneers, Cardinals, and Falcons all lost and fell to
3-6. Arizona and Tampa’s head-to-head wins over the Cowboys make it especially important that they stay firmly behind us.
Still, the NFC playoff scene looks pretty exclusive right now. The top five teams are easily San Francisco and the entire NFC North. Whichever teams come out of the NFC East and South are likely fodder for their eventual wild card opponents, even with home games.
That said, many fans would still love to see the Cowboys rally and make the playoffs, however brief their postseason run may be. Here’s how they’re currently situated in the big picture.
Current 2026 NFC Playoff Standings
1. San Francisco 49ers 7-1 (4-1 vs NFC)
2. Chicago Bears 7-2 (5-2)
3. New York Giants 5-2-1 (3-2-1)
4. Carolina Panthers 3-5 (3-3)
5. Detroit Lions 6-2 (4-1)
6. Minnesota Vikings 6-2 (4-1)
7. Green Bay Packers 6-3 (4-3)
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8. Seattle Seahawks 5-4 (2-3)
9. Los Angeles Rams 5-4 (3-2)
10. Dallas Cowboys 4-5 (2-4)
Unfortunately, there’s little chance of Dallas building momentum this week as they host the conference-leading 49ers. Barring a total stunner, the Cowboys’ probable drop to 4-6 could allow some of those 3-6 teams to creep back above them in the standings. It’s only Week 10, though, so there’s still ample time to rectify it.
Aside from Dallas shocking the world with an upset over the Niners, what else should Cowboys fans be rooting for this week?
NFC East teams
- Commanders d. Giants
The last time these two met, it ended in a tie in Washington. The rematch in New York is predicted to go the Giants’ way, but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the Commanders pull it off. Between the NFC East race and a motivational boost before their own game, Washington’s success would be a beautiful thing for the Cowboys.
The Eagles are on a bye this week, putting their disastrous season on a much-needed pause.
NFC vs. NFC
- Vikings d. Packers
- Panthers d. Saints
- Cardinals d. Rams
Minnesota at Green Bay is mostly a toss-up. Both are at six wins and helping build the NFC North’s wall around playoff spots. But the Packers’ first-round pick makes for an easy tiebreaker, with the hope that they eventually fall out of the tournament and keep the Cowboys’ likely draft position no worse than 18th.
Someone has to win the NFC South (seems like we say this every year), so it might as well be Carolina. The best thing for Dallas is that they get hot and put losses on all of their division rivals, especially Tampa Bay, to keep them off our backs.
While Arizona does have that pesky head-to-head avantage over us, the Rams are actually between us and a wild card spot right now. Los Angeles is more like to find a late-season groove, so they’re the bigger threat.
NFC vs. AFC
- Patriots d. Lions
- Chiefs d. Falcons
- Raiders d. Seahawks
Easy interconference picks this week. Detroit and Seattle are hurdles to jump in the Wild Card race, and Atlanta is right behind at 3-6. While having a vested interest in New England losing, given the seventh-round pick they owe us, a Lions loss could be more beneficial.
AFC vs. AFC
- Jaguars d. Titans
If you’re going to pay attention to any all-AFC games this week, the Titans are the Cowboys’ next opponent. Their season is already trashed at 1-7, and we’d like them to stay deflated when they head to Dallas next Sunday.
With Chicago and Tampa Bay also on byes, it’s a light week for the NFC. The Cowboys are up against it with Niners, so hopefully the other Week 10 action helps to mitigate the likely damage.
