If you’re targeted on the energy of the Cowboys’ 2026 draft picks at this level, it was not a merry Christmas. How did Thursday’s video games harm Dallas within the projected draft order, and the way might the remainder of the Week 17 schedule assist?
The Cowboys’ victory over Washington, taking them to 7-8-1, arguably value them a few draft spots. We nonetheless must see what occurs with 7-8 groups like (*17*) and Tampa Bay this week, however Dallas’ win places it on the verge of a .500 end with solely the Giants left on the schedule. Already fifteenth within the up to date order, they might find yourself with top-of-the-line information of the non-playoff groups and slide even additional down the board.
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The different NFC recreation on Thursday was additionally no assist. Minnesota’s upset over Detroit put them each at 8-8, and so they have powerful finales coming in opposition to the Packers and Bears, respectively. Both might simply end 8-9, which implies the Cowboys would have a greater report in the event that they beat the Giants. What’s extra, the Lions’ loss clinched a playoff spot for the Packers, additional devaluing the first-round decide they owe Dallas subsequent spring.
Here is the present projected draft order for the non-playoff groups. Postseason outcomes will decide the order for the opposite 14 groups that make the event.
1. Giants 2-13
2. Raiders 2-13
3. Browns 3-12
4. Jets 3-12
5. Titans 3-12
6. Cardinals 3-12
7. Commanders 4-12
8. Saints 5-10
9. Bengals 5-10
10. Chiefs 6-10
11. Dolphins 6-9
12. Rams (from Falcons) 6-9
13. Ravens 7-8
14. Buccaneers 7-8
15. Cowboys 7-8-1
16. Lions 8-8
17. Vikings 8-8
18. Jets (from Colts) 8-7
What does Dallas want from the remainder of this penultimate week? Let’s get into the Saturday and Sunday video games. We’re solely going to take a look at people who even have some potential bearing on the Cowboys’ 2026 draft place, which not all of them do.
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Ravens over Packers
This is extra about (*17*) than Green Bay, really. Now that the Packers have made the playoffs, we have now to see how they fare to learn how good that decide’s going to be. The Ravens are 7-8 with the potential to win their last two in opposition to Green Bay and Pittsburgh. If they end 9-8, they’ll be one of many few groups left who can push Dallas up the draft order.
Colts over Jaguars
Indy’s first decide, which belongs to the Jets, is at the moment within the 18th slot. Their ninth win would assure that they end with a greater report than Dallas.
Falcons over Rams
If Atlanta can win their final two and get to 8-9, it offers Dallas an opportunity to maneuver forward of them. A Falcons win subsequent week over the Saints may be very doable, however this might be an enormous upset in the event that they knock off the Rams.
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Buccaneers over Dolphins
Tampa can nonetheless get to 9-8 with two-straight wins, making them one other group with potential to enhance Dallas’ decide. Miami must win its subsequent two for Dallas to cross, and that appears most unlikely with a highway recreation in opposition to New England as its finale. The Bucs profitable has a greater likelihood of benefiting the Cowboys.
Panthers over Seahawks
Ideally, Carolina upsets Seattle right here to get to 9 wins, then loses subsequent week to Tampa. That would go away each the Bucs and Panthers at 9-8, with one claiming the NFC South after tiebreakers and the opposite behind the Cowboys within the draft order. We don’t actually care who, proper?
That’s it, actually. The remainder of the schedule entails groups which might be both playoff-bound or too far out of Dallas’ attain on the prime of the draft order. The 5 video games listed above are the one ones left that might have a direct affect on the place the Cowboys are choosing in 2026.
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As for that Packers decide, they’re locked into the seventh seed now and can journey to face whoever finishes second within the first spherical. That might nonetheless be anybody between the Bears, Eagles, 49ers, Rams, and Seahawks. Who is best-suited to knock Green Bay out early, which helps the Cowboys’ different first-round decide? We’ll dig into that extra subsequent week.