The Dallas Cowboys have been officially eliminated from NFL playoff contention following the Philadelphia Eagles’ 29-18 victory over the Washington Commanders on Saturday, December 20, 2025. This outcome clinched the NFC East division for the Eagles and dashed any remaining hopes for the Cowboys to secure a postseason berth, continuing a trend of back-to-back seasons without playoff football in Dallas.
The elimination was mathematically sealed when the Eagles improved their record to 10-5 with the win, while the Cowboys sit at 6-6-1 with three games remaining. Even if Dallas were to win out, they would fall short of Philadelphia’s win total, eliminating them from division title contention. As a wild-card candidate, the Cowboys also lack a viable path due to other NFC teams’ standings, making this the first time since 2019 and 2020 that the franchise has missed the playoffs in consecutive years.
Philadelphia’s victory was hard-fought, overcoming a slow start and capitalizing on Washington’s quarterback injuries. Backup Marcus Mariota left the game with a hand injury in the third quarter, and third-stringer Josh Johnson struggled, throwing an interception that led to an Eagles touchdown. Saquon Barkley rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown, while Jalen Hurts threw for 185 yards and two scores, helping Philadelphia rally from a halftime deficit.
For the Cowboys, this elimination adds to a tumultuous season under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who becomes the sixth coach in team history to miss the playoffs in his debut year. The team has faced inconsistencies, with a 7-10 record last season under previous coach Mike McCarthy now followed by another disappointing campaign. Quarterback Dak Prescott has expressed commitment to playing the final games, stating, “This is my job, this is what I love to do,” despite the eliminated stakes.
The Eagles, meanwhile, have clinched a home game in the wild-card round and are positioned for a potential deep playoff run, though their chances for the No. 1 seed are slim. Their repeat as NFC East champions breaks a 21-year streak of different teams winning the division, highlighting their dominance in a competitive landscape.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will focus on their remaining games against the Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, and New York Giants, using them to evaluate talent and build for the future. Key players like Prescott aim to finish strong, while management may consider offseason moves to address roster gaps and coaching strategies.
In the broader context, this elimination underscores the challenges in the NFL’s parity-driven system, where teams must consistently perform to maintain postseason relevance. For Cowboys fans, it marks another season of unmet expectations, but with three games left, the team has an opportunity to end on a positive note and set the stage for a rebound in 2026.
