Cowboys are currently the NFC's fifth seed, just ahead of NFC South rivals Tampa Bay and Atlanta.

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IRVING, Texas - As the NFC playoff puzzle continues to work itself into place, a few scenarios have emerged that could guarantee the Cowboys a playoff spot before Week 17.

First things first, the Cowboys have to beat Baltimore Saturday night.

But before we sort through all the and/or business, the most important thing to remember is the Cowboys will hold their own destiny heading into Week 17 if they beat the Ravens. As the season moved along and the Cowboys' chances appeared bleak at times, coach Wade Phillips continually stressed that if the Cowboys took care of business, things would work themselves out. And he was right.

And each time the Cowboys have played a real "must win" game, they've pulled through. They beat Tampa Bay to avert a three-game slide without Tony Romo, won in Washington to hurdle the Redskins in the standings, and beat New York Sunday night in an important contest for Wild Card tiebreakers.

If the Cowboys win Saturday, they can clinch a playoff berth under any of the following scenarios.

• A Philadelphia loss or tie and a Chicago loss or tie and an Atlanta loss.
• A Philadelphia loss or tie and a Chicago loss or tie and a Tampa Bay loss.
• A Chicago loss or tie and a Tampa Bay loss and an Atlanta loss.
• A Philadelphia loss or tie and an Atlanta loss and Dallas clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over Chicago.