The Dallas Cowboys began the season with strong hopes of capturing the NFC East title, aiming to catch up to the Philadelphia Eagles in a heated division race. They also eyed a possible rematch with the San Francisco 49ers, who were seen as the dominant team in the NFC. However, the Cowboys’ playoff hopes were dashed by a crushing Wild Card loss to the Green Bay Packers, while the 49ers fell short in Super Bowl LVIII to the Kansas City Chiefs. Fast forward to the present, and both teams now find themselves at 5-7, on the outside looking in for a playoff spot. Unless a dramatic change occurs, neither is expected to compete in the postseason this year.
In Dallas, there’s a faint glimmer of optimism after two key division wins, helping them stay afloat and avoid complete collapse. Meanwhile, the 49ers are on a downward spiral, having lost three consecutive games, including two blowout defeats on the road. Both teams have been severely impacted by injuries this season. The Cowboys have been without quarterback Dak Prescott since Week 10, and he will miss the rest of the season. Key players like Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland have also been sidelined for significant stretches. The 49ers, meanwhile, have suffered their own injury woes, including a potentially season-ending injury to Christian McCaffrey, who was injured during a loss to Buffalo. In addition, they’ve played without several key players like Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, and Deommodore Lenoir, and star linebacker Fred Warner has fought through a fractured ankle.
Both franchises, once regarded as playoff contenders, now find themselves on the brink of missing the postseason due to a series of setbacks. Dallas has shown some signs of life in recent weeks, largely due to a rejuvenated defense, and there’s still a faint possibility of them sneaking into the playoffs. However, barring a dramatic turnaround, their Super Bowl and NFC Championship game droughts are likely to continue. The 49ers, who came so close to winning the Super Bowl last season, have seen their fortunes plummet, and their championship window seems to be closing. Despite the considerable talent on both teams’ rosters, they face significant hurdles and will likely need to reassess their plans during the offseason. While the NFC West remains competitive, the 49ers’ chances for a late-season resurgence are slim, and they will need to overcome numerous obstacles to have any hope of turning things around
