We’re into Week 9, the middle of the season, and we can say with certainty that the Cowboys have a team that is not only talented but quite special.
It is not the first time that Dallas has started the season 6-1. In 2016, Dak Prescott’s rookie year, the Cowboys also lost their first game of the year and then won 11 straight games. They finished the season 13-3 but lost in the NFC divisional round in a game all fans want to forget.
But this team is different, a more mature team with scars to remind them of everything they have overcome since then.
The easiest way to get to your destination, Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, is with first place in the NFC. In football, playoff spots are called “seeds,” and the first seed has many advantages. If they can finish the season with the best record in the NFC, the Cowboys will capture that first seed and it means they would have a bye week and every game ahead would be played in Dallas.
Right now, the Cowboys have the third seed in the NFC, but that’s going to change. Let’s take a look at the competition for that very valuable first seed at the conference, along with its remaining schedule.
Dallas Cowboys (6-1)
- 07/11 12p vs Broncos
- 11/14 12p vs Falcons
- 11/21 3: 25p @Caciques
- 11/25 3: 30p vs Raiders
- 12/02 7:20p @Santos
- 12/12 12p @Washington
- 12/19 12p @Gigantes
- 26/12 7:20p vs Washington
- 02/01 12p vs Cardinals
- 09/01 12p @Eagles
Analysis: The Cowboys are the favorites to win every remaining game on their schedule but are unlikely to end the season 16-1 this year. They have encounters with teams like Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Arizona that can present problems for them. This game against the Cardinals can determine which of the two gets the first seed of the NFC.
Packers de Green Bay (7-1)
- 11/07 3: 25p @Caciques
- 11/14 3: 25p vs Halcones del Mar
- 11/21 12p @Vikings
- 28/11 3:25p vs Rams
- 12/12 7: 20p vs Bears
- 12/19 12p @Cuervos
- 25/12 3:30p vs Browns
- 02/01 7: 20p vs Vikings
- 09/01 12p @Lions
Analysis: When Green Bay lost its first game of the year, analysts were quick to declare the end of the career of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But Rodgers is determined to leave Green Bay with another championship.
However, my God, please observe this calendar. The Pack has games against the Caciques, Rams, and Cuervos.
And his path to the next championship got even more complicated this week when Rodgers entered the COVID protocol with a positive test. Since Rodgers isn’t vaccinated, he can’t play Kansas City this week and the Seahawks the week after. It’s a huge step down for Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love. Two additional losses would make it much more difficult to obtain the top seed.
Nobody, and especially the Cowboys, don’t want to play on the frozen tundra of Green Bay in January.
Arizona Cardinals (7-1)
- 07/11 3:25p @49ers
- 11/14 3:05 vs Panthers
- 11/21 3: 25p @Halcones del Mar
- 12/05 12p @Bears
- 13/12 7:15p vs Rams
- 12/19 12p @Leones
- 12/25 7: 15p vs Colts
- 02/01 12p @Cowboys
- 01/09 3: 25p vs Halcones del Mar
AnalysisOf the four teams battling for the first NFC seed, the Cardinals have the easiest schedule. However, that January game against the Cowboys will likely be the game that determines who will have home-court advantage for all of the playoffs this year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
- 14/11 12p @Washington
- 11/22 7:15 vs Giants
- 11/28 12p @Potros
- 5/12 12p @Halcones
- 12/12 3:25 vs Bills
- 19/12 7:20p vs Santos
- 12/26 12p vs Panteras
- 02/01 12p @Jets
- 01/09 12p vs Panteras
Analysis: The Buccaneers have a very big advantage over the Cowboys with their victory in September. Under NFL rules, if two teams are tied for their record, the team that won head-to-head will win the higher seed. So the Cowboys will have to win more than the Buccaneers to get ahead of them on the table.
Predictions
- Dallas Cowboys (15-2)
- Arizona Cardinals (14-3)
- Tampa Buccaneers (14-3)
- Packers de Green Bay (12-5)
- Los Angeles Rams (13-4)
- New Orleans Saints (13-4)
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-7)
