How the Cowboys Fare Against All Current NFC Playoff Teams
Dallas is in the hunt.
The Dallas Cowboys currently sit 10th in the NFC with a 6-6-1 record.
To have a chance at making the playoffs, the team needs to go undefeated against upcoming opponents: the Minnesota Vikings, the Los Angeles Chargers, the Washington Commanders, and the New York Giants.
Despite the difficult path ahead, owner/general manager Jerry Jones told radio station 103.5 The Fan he’s “real excited” about Dallas’ playoff chances.
“[Minnesota] is a big game for us. Boy, you see you need to stay in there every play, every play is meaningful right at this particular time, and we’ve sure got a shot at this thing,” he said.
But even if the Cowboys do go undefeated and get some luck with losses by teams in front of them, how would Dallas play against the teams currently in the playoffs?
This list includes wild-card teams, the Chicago Bears, and the San Francisco 49ers. Dallas could theoretically bump one of those teams out of the playoffs, thereby opening a path for the Cowboys to face the other.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams last beat Dallas on Aug. 9, 2025, in a preseason game in LA. The Cowboys hold the edge in the all-time record against the Rams, 20-18, however, with the last regular-season meeting on Oct. 29, 2023. Dallas overpowered LA, defeating Sean McVay and the Rams 43-20 in Arlington, according to The Football Database.
Green Bay Packers
Cowboys and Packers fans would love to see a rematch of the NFL’s only game to end in a tie this season, currently.
In a Sunday night showdown on Oct. 29, the clubs battled all the way through the final minutes of overtime and ended in draw, 40-40.
Philadelphia Eagles
A third meeting between NFC East rivals Eagles and Cowboys would be a spectacle. Coming off two regular-season contests decided by one possession, a third in the postseason brings one of the NFL’s oldest rivals to new heights as both clubs claim Super Bowl aspirations. Philadelphia won the season opener, 24-20, while Dallas got revenge in Week 12, winning 24-21. The teams were separated by less than five points in both games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are sliding. They’re 1-4 in their last five games after going 6-2 through their first eight games. In Week 14, they lost to divisional foe New Orleans Saints, who are last in the NFC South. Should the Bucs continue to fall, the Carolina Panthers (7-6) are not far behind them, sitting in second place in the division.
Dallas dominates all-time in head-to-head matches against Tampa Bay, holding a 17-6 record, per The Football Database. The Cowboys defeated Tampa Bay in the last meeting 26-24 at home on Dec. 22, 2024.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle maintains one of the most compelling teams in the NFL this year. At times, their defense is a wall. They have limited opponents to 12 points or less in three games. Other times, their games are shootouts. The Seahawks offense has registered less than 30 points in six of 13 games. Seattle has only lost twice in those contests. It’s been the opposite for the Cowboys the majority of the season. The Cowboys offense has exploded while its defense has been abysmal, especially against wide receivers.
Yet, the Cowboys slightly edge Seattle all-time, 12-10, offering confidence to Cowboy faithful.Dallas bested Seattle in the last meeting, 41-35, in Arlington on Nov. 30, 2023.
San Francisco 49ers
AN old-school NFC rival, the 49ers can make a Cowboys fan’s blood boil. The clubs haven’t met this year, so the playoffs seem perfect. The last meeting between these teams was on Oct. 27, 2024, when Dallas lost on the road, 30-24. Dallas maintains an all-time edge against San Francisco, 21-19-1, according to The Football Database.
Chicago Bears
Many inside and outside the Dallas organization probably wouldn’t mind battling Chicago in the playoffs. In Week 3, the Bears took it to Dallas, but that was before the trade deadline and while Ceedee Lamb was out injured. Today, the Cowboys are a different team. With improved defense and a fully operational offense, the Cowboys could take revenge in the postseason.
All-time head-to-head favors the Cowboys. According to The Football Database, the Cowboys are 16-13 against Chicago.
Who Is Ahead of Dallas?
Also hunting for a playoff spot and currently ahead of Dallas as of Dec. 9 are the Detroit Lions and Panthers.
Detroit won against Dallas in Week 14, 44-30, lowering the Cowboys’ playoff chances to 10 percent. Detroit has a 50 percent probability, while Carolina has a 30 percent probability. Detroit is third in the NFC North.
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