Thanks to the Washington Redskins' huge 23-10 upset of the New York Giants on Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys have regained control of their own destiny in the NFC East race despite having lost to the Giants on Sunday night a week prior:
- The Cowboys (8-6) can clinch the division by winning their last two games, vs. Philadelphia (6-8) and at the Giants (7-7). The Giants.
- Just like the Cowboys, the Giants are still in control of their destiny, too: If they beat the New York Jets (8-6) and Dallas, they'll win the NFC East.
- The Cowboys can wrap up the NFC East this week if they beat the Eagles (handing Philly their ninth loss) to become 9-6, and the Giants lose to the Jets, falling to 7-8.
- If both the Giants and Cowboys lose next week, the two teams (7-8 New York, 8-7 Dallas) would still meet on January 1 with a chance for the Cowboys to clinch the NFC East. But if a 7-8 Giants team wins...
- The Eagles can win the division. If Philly wins out to finish 8-8 (they end their schedule at Washington on New Year's Day), they could win the NFC East if the Jets beat the Giants and then the Giants beat the Cowboys.
- Again though, controlled destiny: A Dallas win over the Eagles or Giants win over the Jets next week would mathematically eliminate Philadelphia from the NFC Playoffs.
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