Dallas Cowboys' Playoff Chances Remain High After Loss, Ezekiel Elliott Calls Defeat 'Needed'

The Dallas Cowboys’ playoff chances are still very strong after losing in Week 15. Despite being shut out by the Indianapolis Colts, America’s Team is very likely headed to the postseason.

Dallas can clinch the NFC East title with one victory over the final two weeks of the 2018 NFL season. A loss by the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins would also give the Cowboys a division championship.

The Cowboys are seven-point favorites in their Week 16 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, according to OddsShark. They’ll end the season on the road against the New York Giants, who have been eliminated from contention.

Washington is scheduled to host Philadelphia in the season finale. The Eagles will host the Houston Texans next week, likely with Nick Foles back under center. The Redskins are set to play on the road against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16.

Before failing to score a single point in Indianapolis, Dallas was the NFL’s hottest team. They had won five straight games, beating four teams that currently have a .500 record or better.

“I think a loss like this was very much needed,” Cowboys’ running back Ezekiel Elliott told reporters after Sunday’s loss. “I think it's better for us in the grand scheme of the season, and I think we needed to get put in check. I think we needed a reality check and we needed a reminder that we still have a lot of ball left.”

Elliott had 18 rushes for 87 yards in Week 15 to go along with seven catches for 41 yards. He leads the NFL in both rushing yards and yards from scrimmage.

Dak Prescott was held to 206 yards with no touchdowns and an interception against the Colts, posting his second-worst passer rating of the season. The quarterback had thrown 12 touchdown passes and three interceptions in his previous eight games.

If the Cowboys hold on to win the NFC East, they’ll likely go into the playoffs as the No.4 seed. They are two games behind the No.3 seed Chicago Bears.