Cowboys become 1st team to clinch playoff berth in 2016 NFL season

The Cowboys may not have been on the field Sunday, but they did become the first team to punch their ticket to the postseason.

A couple things had to go right this week for Dallas to clinch a playoff spot. First, they needed to beat the Vikings on Thursday night, and after a hard-fought and ugly game, they prevailed, 17-15, over Minnesota due to Sam Bradford’s failed two-point conversion in the dying seconds.

Then, the Cowboys needed either a Washington or Tampa Bay loss Sunday to clinch a playoff berth. With some help from Washington, the Cowboys got that to go their direction, too. The game was back and forth for four quarters but Patrick Peterson’s last-minute interception sealed the game for Arizona with 41 seconds to go.

At 11-1, Dallas has the best record in the league, so it was always known that they would play a factor in the postseason. Last year, the Cowboys finished the season at 4-12, their worst record since 1989. Coming into this season, the Cowboys weren’t considered the NFC’s biggest threat, but thanks to dominant displays from rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, in addition to their immensely talented offensive line, they sit atop their respective conference.

WIth 2,974 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and just two interceptions thus far this season, Prescott has been a revelation since coming in to replace regular starting QB Tony Romo. The Mississippi State graduate has averaged an impressive 108.6 QB rating this season.

Earlier this season, Prescott broke the record for throwing the most passes without an interception to start an NFL career.

Likewise, Elliott has played a big role in getting the Cowboys to where they are now. The 225-pound running back has 263 carries for 12 touchdowns and 1,285 rushing yards this season, and is averaging 4.9 yards per carry. The Ohio State product also has 28 receptions for 322 yards and one receiving touchdown.

Next, the Cowboys will try to clinch first-round bye and home-field advantage through the playoffs as they look to finish the regular season on a high. Currently, Dallas holds a steady three-game lead over New York in the NFC East, but the Giants handed the Cowboys their only loss earlier this season. Their rematch is next week at MetLife Stadium, and if the Cowboys win, they’ll clinch the NFC East.

In the NFC, Dallas holds a three-game lead over the Seahawks and everyone else in the conference so it’s only a matter of time until it locks up the No. 1 seed.