Cowboys playoff picture: Updated chances for Dallas to make 2025 NFL postseason in Week 15 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Dallas Cowboys are always in the public eye, but following the Micah Parsons trade, they faced intense scrutiny.

The Dallas Cowboys suffered a serious blow to their playoff hopes in a Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions. Dallas entered the game with a three game winning streak after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving and looked to be trending in the right direction.

A facemask grab will make Pickens' rough Week 14 even more costly. James Houston and Hunter Luepke were also docked for actions taken versus Detroit.

Even though Trevon Diggs has said he is ready to return from a concussion and knee injury, the Dallas Cowboys won't have him on the field for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings.

The defense has been a concern for the Dallas Cowboys throughout the 2025 NFL season. Those worries resurfaced last week in a two-possession loss to the Detroit Lions last Thursday, where the Cowboys surrendered 44 points, tied for the most they've allowed in a game this season.

As it currently stands, the Dallas Cowboys hold pick No. 28 via the Green Bay Packers stemming from the mid-season Micah Parsons trade. This will allow Dallas to secure another key defensive player for their squad and tap into the Ohio State program for a second time.

See who's in and who's out for the Week 15 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings on December 14, 2025.

The Dallas Cowboys focus on defense, landing two stars from Ohio State, in a recent 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft.