NFC Playoff Picture exposes how bad Cowboys’ situation really is entering Week 11
The Dallas Cowboys are set for a Week 11 showdown on Monday night against the Las Vegas Raiders. As they enter this game, it's safe to say their NFL playoff hopes are dwindling.
Dallas is 3-5-1 and while they can still turn things around, the NFC is full of talented teams that are having much more success. The Cowboys aren't ready to give up, however, as they added defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson at the NFL trade deadline in an effort to strengthen their defense.
Further improving their chances is the return of injured players such as linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., and safeties Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker. Time will tell how much of a difference these players will make, but for now, let's see how the playoff picture looks with Dallas ready to play the final game in Week 11.
Division Leaders
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1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2)
2. Los Angeles Rams (8-2)
3. Chicago Bears (7-3)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4)
The Eagles are in first due to a tiebreaker and just made a statement with a win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday night. The Rams also had a huge win, knocking off the Seattle Seahawks to put themselves atop the NFC West.
Wild Card Teams
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5. Seattle Seahawks (7-3)
6. Green Bay Packers (6-3-1)
7. San Francisco 49ers (7-4)
The NFC West has two of the Wild Card teams and the North had the Vikings and Packers flirting with the other spot. Minnesota is trending in the wrong direction, but Ben Johnson has the Bears rolling.
The rest of the pack
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8. Detroit Lions (6-4)
9. Carolina Panthers (6-5)
10. Minnesota Vikings (4-6)
11. Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1)
12. Arizona Cardinals (3-7)
13. Atlanta Falcons (3-7)
14. Washington Commanders (3-8)
15. New Orleans Saints (2-8)
16. New York Giants (2-9)
The Cowboys have had two losses to teams in this bracket that could have changed their entire season. Losing to the Panthers and Cardinals could come back to haunt them, especially given the strength of their remaining schedule.
Browns’ Myles Garrett Put Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers on Notice Before Week 6
Defensive end Myles Garrett has posted 13 sacks in his NFL career against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he gets another one in Week 6, he will likely add Aaron Rodgers to his list of quarterbacks he’s sacked during his career.
Garrett explained to reporters this week that he is strongly looking forward to that opportunity Sunday.
“I’d be honored to put him in the graveyard, and definitely a lot of respect for what he’s done in his career, because he’s special,” said Garrett on Friday, via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.
Garrett’s graveyard mention is a reference to the tombstones the defensive end places in his front yard around Halloween. Those tombstones include the names of the quarterbacks he has sacked during his career.
Legendary quarterbacks such as Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger are in the graveyard.
“Top five list, top 10 list?” Garrett said. “I’m sure Pat (Mahomes) will be on there. Ben (Roethlisberger) would be on there. (Tom) Brady would be on there.
“Let’s see, I think one day (Justin) Herbert will be in there. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer one day, but after that, I don’t know. Hell, I don’t remember all the names I’ve sacked. I’m just worried about the next one.”
Rodgers could be that next one. The 41-year-old quarterback has taken nine sacks in the first four games this season.
Myles Garrett Aiming to Sack Aaron Rodgers
Garrett didn’t make as much of an impact as a pass rusher the past two weeks. But the Browns defensive end was off to a hot start to begin 2025.
In Week 1, he sacked Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow twice. Garrett then had 1.5 sacks versus the Baltimore Ravens during Week 2.
Despite no sacks the past two weeks, Garrett is on pace for his eighth consecutive double-digit sack season. Each of the last five years, he’s made the All-Pro team. Four of those five nominations were to first-team All-Pro.
In 14 games against the Steelers, Garrett has posted 13 sacks. The only team he’s registered more sacks against is the Bengals (15).
Last season, Garrett had four sacks versus the Steelers, as he put Russell Wilson in his graveyard.
Rodgers Praises Garrett Ahead of Week 6
While Garrett made it clear he would love to sack Rodgers, the defensive end was highly complimentary of the four-time MVP quarterback. The feeling is mutual for Rodgers.
“Myles is a Hall of Famer. He might not be in yet, but that’s where he’s going,” Rodgers told reporters. “He’s one of the few players in the league over my 21 years that you game plan for. He is a special talent, a game wrecker.”
Rodgers had more yards and touchdowns in Week 1. However, the future Hall of Fame quarterback is coming off his most efficient day as a passer in his young Steelers career. During Week 4, Rodgers went 18 for 22 with 200 passing yards and an 80-yard touchdown.
The Steelers may need more of the same from Rodgers to defeat the Browns. Although Cleveland owns a 1-4 record, the Browns have one of the best run defenses in the league.
After shutting down the run, Garrett and company then get after opposing quarterbacks.
Rodgers has been sacked more than any other quarterback in NFL history. He’s on pace for 38 sacks this season. Last year, Rodgers suffered 40 sacks.
