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NFL Playoffs: 5 dark horse teams who can still make it

By Ernest Shepard

Nov 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints tackle Zach Strief (64) and quarterback Drew Brees (9) lie on the ground after Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) makes a sack during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints tackle Zach Strief (64) and quarterback Drew Brees (9) lie on the ground after Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) makes a sack during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) and wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) and wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) before the game against the Carolina Panthers game on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) and wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) and wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) before the game against the Carolina Panthers game on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

The Dallas Cowboys Can Still Win The NFC East

Ignore the 3-8 record for a moment. The Dallas Cowboys are still alive in the playoff picture. They are unofficially eliminated from Wild Card contention, but thanks to the hideous NFC East, the Cowboys can somehow back into the postseason.

Their inconceivable mission begins in earnest this Monday night on the road against the Washington Redskins. All the Cowboys have to do is win the nationally televised game to be right back into the thick of things.

When compared to the Redskins, and to a lesser extent the New York Giants, Dallas looks just as good, if not better on paper. Defensively they are better than all of their NFC East rivals. There are no standout quarterbacks in the division, so Matt Cassel filling in for the injured Tony Romo is not the worst thing that can happen. Sans DeMarco Murray on a disappointing Philadelphia Eagles’ team, the running backs are a push. Dallas also has arguably the most talented receiver in Dez Bryant.

There is one more thing to factor in before dismissing the Cowboys as a dark horse to make the playoffs.

Monday night is the first of two meetings between the Cowboys and Redskins. Since no one has established dominance in the division, it is too early to bury Dallas, and too soon to crown Washington. The Giants will somehow keep things interesting too.

With no team proving to be the class of the NFC East, and each team is 5-6 or worse, 8-8 or even 7-9 could get a team in the dance. That gives the Dallas Cowboys some hope.

Next: 4. Pittsburgh Steelers

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