The Dallas Cowboys now have just under a week to prepare for Week 15 ("Sunday Night Football" vs. the Minnesota Vikings) after losing to the Detroit Lions on the previous "Thursday Night Football" to fall to 6-6-1 and stay below Detroit in the NFC Wild-Card race.

Though the game ended Dallas' three-game win streak, optimism for a playoff berth remains as the Cowboys are not mathematically eliminated ... but their road does get a bit windier.

We expect the most likely scenario of Dallas sneaking into the postseason is through getting an automatic bid by winning the NFC East. The Cowboys trail the Philadelphia Eagles in the division by just 1.5 games, but trail the final Wild Card spot by 2.5 below Detroit and the Carolina Panthers, who each own the head-to-head tiebreaker.

So, how can the Cowboys make this happen? That part of it is simple: Dallas needs to win out.

The Cowboys may be favored in at least three of these upcoming contests (if not them all), so the prospect of a four-game win streak to close out the schedule - putting head coach Brian Schottenheimer's squad at 10-6-1 - isn't out of the realm of possibility.

However, Dallas also needs the Eagles to go 2-3 or worse in their final five games - a stretch that begins with Philly playing at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football" on Dec. 8 to close out the week.

Before we take a look at the rival Eagles' final stretch, let's dive into each of these remaining matchups for the Cowboys and see how they can continue controlling their own destiny.

Week 15 - vs. Minnesota Vikings (5-8) on SNF

The Vikings' second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy had one of his better games of the year this week as Minnesota crushed the NFC East disappointment Washington 31-0.

Minnesota only got two receptions and 11 yards out of star receiver Justin Jefferson, but the Commanders have been no match in quiet a bit of contests this season as they've struggled with injuries, making Jefferson's inactivity inconsequential.

In Dallas' loss at Detroit, wideout George Pickens was scrutinized for what appeared to be a lack of hustle and disinterested body language, shaping up this showcase between Jefferson and Pickens to be a sort of revenge game for both sides, with the Cowboys slightly hungrier amid the do-or-die scenario for the playoffs.

Prediction: I think the Cowboys offense (yes, even if its without CeeDee Lamb) will be too much for the Vikings defense in Arlington. Dallas wins 33-21.

Week 16 - vs. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)

Not only will the Cowboys be hate-watching the Eagles on Monday, but they'll also be game planning a solid squad led by Justin Herbert in LA. The Cowboys put together a win over Philadelphia in the team's last meeting the week before Thanksgiving, so depending on their showing against the Chargers, Dallas could foster some hope here by how the teams fair against one another.

Their record is solid, but this Chargers team isn't without some questionable showings in 2025. They beat the sub-.500 Dolphins and Titans by just one score each, and have losses to Washington and the New York Giants, whom Dallas swept and will face to close out the season.

Prediction: The Cowboys production at cornerback increases as coordinator Matt Eberflus schemes up a look to take away Herbert's top target in Ladd McConkey. The Chargers are a solid pass defense, meaning running back Javonte Williams may have to carry a tough workload. Cowboys win 24-17.

Week 17 - at Washington Commanders (3-10)

What is the status of Jayden Daniels? Last year's electrifying Rookie of the Year has been banged up pretty good, including going down briefly this week in the shutout against Minnesota.

Daniels was an effective runner against the Cowboys in the Week 7 Dallas win, but he also strained his hamstring in that one, just weeks before hurting his elbow.

Prediction: Of course, these future predictions are all subject to change given the outcomes of the prior weeks, but with Washington out of playoff contention, this one shouldn't be a problem for Dallas. Cowboys win on the road 35-28.

Week 18 - at New York Giants (2-11)

It's the easiest two-game slate to close out the schedule across the league. The Giants, like the Commanders, aren't playing for much and will be tanking for a chance to pick first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Still, that could be subject to the Cowboys letting their guard down and falling asleep on a team that scraps together enough pieces to get a mood-killing win that crushes a rival more than it benefits the victor.

Prediction: I think by this point in their playoff hopes, the Cowboys' winning momentum can be enough to finish the job. Dallas wins 42-10.

Now onto the Eagles...

The folks at EaglesWire believe Philadelphia can run the table and put up a fight to be the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

The Eagles benefit from seeing Washington twice and the lowly Las Vegas Raiders, but these games against the Chargers and AFC power Buffalo Bills (9-4) offer worthy competition.

Let's say the Eagles drop both of those against LA and Buffalo. Dallas would still need at least one more loss against either Las Vegas or Washington to get Philadelphia to 10-7 while the Cowboys would be at 10-6-1.

Those outcomes aren't extremely likely, of course, but Philadelphia's current two-game losing streak is enough to question how the energy in the locker room is shifting towards crunch time...

In fact, there seems to be a last-ditch effort to revive some type of holiday cheer ... not with a Christmas tree, but with the Easter Bunny.

A "positivity spirit animal" they're seeming to call it.

In Dallas, there isn't a need for inflatable belief. The mission ahead is simple: control what you can control, and let the rest of the cards fall as they may.

“We're going to need some things to happen for us,” quarterback Dak Prescott said this week. “So, I don't think it's in our control at this point, but what we can do is control the way that we approach this game. I think that's just led by the pride, the love that you have for this game, the teammate, this organization, your opportunity to play this game."