The Cowboys took a tremendous hit in the NFC Playoff picture on Sunday night in a 37-34 loss to the rival Giants - with both teams now tied at 7-6, New York took the tiebreaker advantage to the NFC East lead based on head-to-head match up. Now Dallas will need to take the rematch - the two teams meet again on New Year's Day - and hope the Giants stumble (the toughest remaining game on the Giants' schedule is against the Jets in two weeks).
The division has been reduced to a two-team race, as Washington was officially eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Patriots, and the Eagles are hanging on at the bottom of the wild card race with eight losses. Washington could help the Cowboys by beating the Giants this week - NFC losses factor into tiebreaker scenarios stronger than losses to AFC teams.
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