The Future Is Cloudy, Or Is It? The Race For The NFC East

Once again the NFL is as unpredictable as ever. Some games are just too close to call, and when you do call it, the odds are completely ripped up as the underdog team wins.

This is what makes the game we love so exciting. Or  frustrating if you happen to be following one of those streaky, up one week, down the next kind of teams.

Its safe to say that in recent years the Dallas Cowboys have fallen into the above category. Excitingly unpredictable. Excruciatingly annoying.

That being said i’ve dusted off the crystal ball, read the tea leaves and come up with the possible route for Dallas into postseason play.

If a team is going to make a run for the playoffs, that could see the run extend all the way down Bourbon Street, and have the ultimate Mardi Gras after the Superbowl in New Orleans, they usually start t o make their impact now.

NFC East Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Net Pts	TD	Home	Road	Div	Pct	Conf	Pct	Non-Conf	Streak	Last 5
New York Giants	6	4	0	.600	267	216	51	26	3-2	3-2	2-2	.500	5-2	.714	1-2	2L	3-2
Dallas Cowboys	4	5	0	.444	188	204	-16	20	1-2	3-3	2-1	.667	4-4	.500	0-1	1W	2-3

Once again the season is at a crossroads, the rival New York Giants are having their mid-season stumble, whereas the Cowboys are starting to see the November climb that has become the trend recently.

So how is the race for the NFC East title going to pan out…..

Week 11 – Giants have a bye, so the Cowboys cut their division lead down to officially one game by beating the Browns at home.

Week 12 – Gaining the upper hand by having the traditional Thanksgiving game at home, the Cowboys host rival Redskins. The roll continues and is made sweeter when the Giants fall to the Packers in their Sunday night matchup.

Week13 – Sunday night football again sees the initiative with Dallas as they host and sweep the Eagles. The next night Big Blue goes to DC and have just enough to get past the’Skins.

Week14 – Dallas again play first, on the road to visit a Bengals team that may be in with a shot of the playoffs themselves, with too much at stake the Cowboys edge a thriller, then sit back and watch Drew Brees go to New York with his Saints. Eli Manning will show why hes clutch though and see off New Orleans with a late rally.

Week 15 – this is the pivotal time, both teams sit at 8-5 and have arguably their toughest opponents in the home stretch. New York flies into the Falcons nest. Atlanta should have wrapped up their division by now, but will be looking to wrap up home field advantage. Dallas have to defeat December woes as well as the hard nosed Steelers. Will home advantage for the ‘Boys be enough?

Both teams go into Week 16 with 8-6 records.

Dallas host the Saints, both knowing that a loss would probably be the end. New York goes to Baltimore, a similar situation for these clubs. Playoff intensity. Playoff destiny? Both lose again.

Now it becomes clear. How so? Its never clear when the Cowboys are playing right?

Well if ‘ been doing the maths you’re with me, if not here it is.

Cowboys go to Washington knowing that they have a superior division record at this point, 4-1, to the Giants 3-2. New York end at home to Philadelphia.

Its a win and in situation for Dallas.

In Washington.

If they lose its heartbreak all over again as the New Yorkers beat Philly to finish 9-7. 4-2 in the East, and now its conference record that separates the teams. 8-4 New york would edge a 6-6 Cowboys if they lose…..

Cowboys to beat the Redskins in their backyard to win it all.

You call it…….