I'm not going to say I told you so but...
ESPN released its latest playoff projections, and guess which team has been left out of the big show? That's right, the Dallas Cowboys.
Remember, four division winners and two wild cards from each conference for a grand total of 12 playoff teams. As of now, the projections have the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins representing the AFC in the post-season. The Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks are set to emerge from the NFC.
By ESPN's calculations, the Cowboys' total playoff odds are 49.9 percent, behind Seattle and Detroit's 72.3 percent odds for the final two NFC wild card spots.
"The Cowboys really needed that Thanksgiving game against the Eagles, particularly since they have only one home game remaining," wrote Aaron Schatz. "Wait, you say, aren't the Cowboys better on the road this year? Yes, all four of their losses this year are at home, but the idea that a tiny 12-game sample proves it is somehow better for the Cowboys to play on the road is silly. In the long run, home-field advantage exists for every team, including Dallas."
Dallas' remaining schedule features another game against the Eagles, this time in Philly, and a Week 16 matchup against the AFC South-leading Colts. That's not exactly an open road to the post-season. Even if Dallas (8-4) is on pace to finish above .500 for the first time in three seasons, missing out on the playoffs would be a big blow to owner Jerry Jones' psyche. With the Cowboys cap-strapped and in danger of losing DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant in free agency, it's now or never for Dallas' playoff window.
