Even though the Dallas Cowboys have a 9-4 record that is tied for the second-best won-loss mark in the NFC, it is far from certain that they will make the playoffs. The Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day loss to Philadelphia and a 6-4 record in conference games place them behind the other NFC playoff contenders, according to the NFL's playoff tie-breaking rules.
This means Dallas will either have to win all of their remaining games, or go 2-1 and then get some assistance from other teams if they are to break their four-year drought of qualifying for the postseason.
Counting on the Cowboys to win in December, a month in which they have a 7-10 record the past four seasons, may not seem like a high-percentage proposition, especially since two of their upcoming games are on the road against divisional foes and the home contest is against one of the best young passers in the NFL (Indianapolis' Andrew Luck).
Upon taking a closer look, however, it is clear Dallas has what it takes to go unbeaten in their last three games and thus win the NFC East Division.
There are three big reasons why.