(Editor's Note: Who doesn't love lists? Throughout the season, 'High 5' will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys 2025 season.)
Only five games remain in the 2025 season and the Dallas Cowboys still have an outside chance at extending their season. The Cowboys (6-5-1) are amid a three-game winning streak and are within striking distance of the Philadelphia Eagles as the second-place team in the NFC East. To make a push towards the playoffs, they'll likely need to win four or all five of their remaining games.
Dallas resumes their quest for a magical post-bye week run Thursday Night in Detroit against the Lions. But they aren't the only team with playoff hopes on the line, as the Lions (7-5) have lost two of their last three and dropped to third in the NFC North.
With two divisional road games, two matchups with the NFC North, and the final interconference matchup with the AFC, the Cowboys path to the playoff will play pivotal to the entire playoff picture. It also ranks as the third-easiest remaining strength of schedule in the league at a .393 winning percentage. Let's rank the remaining games on the 2025 schedule:
5. Week 18 – At Giants
On the final weekend of the regular season, Dallas will have to continue their conquering of the Giants, who they've defeated 16 of the last 17 meetings. If their first meeting was any indication, it won't be as easy after the two divisional foes went to overtime in Week 2.
However, the Cowboys have seen their team improve throughout the season while the Giants have suffered multiple setbacks due to injury. Entering Week 14, they've lost seven-straight games to fall to 2-11. So comparatively, they're the easiest game on the schedule. But at some point, that losing streak could come to an end.
4. Week 15 – Vs. Vikings
Originally thought of as a contender in the NFC, the Vikings have fallen on hard times with injuries, a revolving door at quarterback, and the toughest division in football this season. They currently hold a 4-8 record and have lost four-straight to four-straight playoff hopefuls.
Dallas not only faces the Vikings off a 'mini-bye', but they play in primetime on Sunday night. Minnesota is 1-2 in primetime games this season, where they've been outscored 83-43 in those three games.
3. Week 17 – At Commanders
It's incredible to see just how far the Commanders have fallen from grace after a conference title game appearance last season. With a 3-9 record and a seven-game losing streak, the season has gotten away from Dan Quinn during his second year with the organization. But the opportunity to upend the Cowboys playoff chances in Week 17 may just be the motivation needed to play above their recent performances. Their last two losses have come by just one possession, including a one-point loss to the AFC West leading Broncos.
The Commanders final four games of the season are all against NFC East foes as they face the Giants in Week 15, the Eagles twice in Week 16 and 17, and with the Cowboys Christmas matchup sandwiched in the middle. It's a tough way to end an already disappointing season, but with the recent close losses it seems like the Commanders hope for late-season wins is not off the table yet.
2. Week 16 – Vs. Chargers
Depending on the health of Justin Herbert, who has been nursing a left-hand injury, the Chargers present one of the top offensive attacks in the NFL. They currently sit at 8-4 and trail the 10-2 Denver Broncos, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders behind them.
The Chargers have a stretch of five-straight games against teams with a .500 record or better entering Week 14. They've also gone 0-2 against the NFC East this season, with losses to the Commanders and Giants already, but are 8-2 against all other opponents.
1. Week 14 – At Lions
No surprise here. Thursday's matchup at Ford Field in Detroit remains the toughest gtoame on the Cowboys schedule over the final five weeks of the regular season. Despite dropping to 7-5 with their loss last week against the Packers, the Lions currently hold a 42 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That percentage drops to 22 percent with a Lions loss.
Each team desperate to keep their hopes alive and looking to do so behind a top-three offense in the NFL. Both the Cowboys and Lions rank inside the top three in scoring and total offense this season, marking only the seventh time that's happened since 2000. Additionally, five of the six previous winners of those games reached the Super Bowl that season. Further insinuating the importance of this matchup with Detroit.
