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While the Dallas Cowboys are on the precipice of being eliminated from playoff contention, several storylines are still relevant for the final three games of the season.
With just one more loss or one more Philadelphia Eagles win, the Cowboys will officially be eliminated from postseason contention and will direct their sights to the offseason. Before then, there are still three games that will shake out some of the unanswered questions that the offseason will bring.
Here are the three biggest storylines to track in the Cowboys’ final contests:
Can Matt Eberflus save his job?
When looking at the Cowboys’ problems this season, the buck starts and stops with the defensive unit.
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has had far from a successful first season back in Dallas after being fired during the 2024 season from his head coaching job with the Chicago Bears. Through 15 weeks, the Cowboys’ defense is 29th in yards allowed per game (374.9) and 31st in points allowed per game (30.0).
In the Cowboys’ Week 15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the defense allowed first-year starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy to throw for a career-high 250 yards. He was the fourth quarterback to own his season-high passing total against the Cowboys’ defense in 2025, joining Caleb Williams, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
On Tuesday, owner Jerry Jones appeared to put some public pressure on Eberflus for the first time this season.
“We let their quarterback have a big day on us,” Jones said on his weekly radio interview on 105.3 The Fan. “That wasn’t the plan. We could have used more pressure, without question, at different times. The result was that we let [McCarthy] make some pretty significant plays out there. Plus, he played pretty well. It seems like we’re always saying that about these quarterbacks. Some of them hadn’t played as well, but when they play us, they play better. I think that’s telling, too.”
In a last-ditch effort of sorts, Eberflus will head to the coaching booth for the remaining three games of the season. He came to the decision after multiple conversations with head coach Brian Schottenheimer, as they see it as a way for Eberflus to make adjustments quicker with a full field view.
“It’s a chance for me to get good perspective, get good information, see the game develop in terms of the view on the sideline,” Eberflus said. “So, I’m going to go upstairs and call from up there. It’s going to be a good adjustment.”
Can Eberflus find even the slightest of positivity in the final three weeks? Conversations will be had about the practicality of replacing Eberflus in the offseason versus having four defensive coordinators in as many seasons if the team does decide to move in a different direction.
If the defense can show some consistency down the stretch, Eberflus will at least have one argument to remain in Dallas.
Will George Pickens rebound?
It was determined before the season started that wide receiver George Pickens would be playing on his expiring rookie contract in a one-year “prove it” situation in his first season with the Cowboys. And if you look at the numbers, he has proven it and then some.
Through 14 games, Pickens has hauled in 81 receptions for 1,212 yards and eight touchdowns — all team highs and career highs. But in the past two games, criticism has swirled around Pickens, as he’s posted just eight receptions for 70 yards and no touchdowns.
Any decision that doesn’t result in Pickens wearing a Cowboys uniform in 2026 would be foolish, but could a reality exist where he plays next season on the franchise tag? If these past two games have given ownership any pause about a long-term deal, it could be more realistic. But if he’s able to finish strong, it would put the doubts to bed and instead put a bow on one of Jerry Jones’ best trades in his 36 years of ownership.
“Just one day at a time,” Pickens said this week. “You never know what can happen, so I just keep grinding.”
Does Trevon Diggs finish on a high note?
It’s been yet another tumultuous year for cornerback Trevon Diggs, as he has missed nine games with knee soreness and has been at the center of controversy around how he has approached things off the field with the team.
Since having his 21-day practice window opened in his slowed return from injured reserve, Diggs has expressed frustration about feeling healthy enough to play but the team not throwing him on the field. That appeared to boil over last week when he said he expected to play after being part of the game plan all week just to be told on Saturday he would not play.
Schottenheimer has emphasized consistency being the reason he hasn’t been activated, but the tune appears to be changing heading into Sunday.
“Diggs is having a very good week,” Schottenheimer said. “When you look at Trevon this week, what I’ve loved about him is he’s having fun playing football. He’s smiling and running around. To his credit, he’s having a really good week.”
Diggs was activated off injured reserve Saturday and will play Sunday against the Chargers. Heading into an offseason that has the writing on the wall of a release of the former All-Pro cornerback, these next three games could either change the narrative on that decision or further cement it.
The Cowboys could get out of Diggs’ contract this offseason with a post-June 1 designated release that would save them $15.5 million toward the salary cap in 2026 with a dead cap hit of just under $3 million.
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Nick Harris
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