Cowboys are big winners from 49ers loss to Titans

The Dallas Cowboys have officially clinched a playoff spot after the San Francisco 49ers lost to the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.

Whatever else happens this season, the Cowboys are heading to the playoffs.

Dallas clinched a playoff berth on Thursday night thanks to the 49ers loss to the Titans. Tennessee kicked a field goal with nine seconds remaining to beat San Francisco and hand the Cowboys their ticket to the postseason.

The Packers are the only team in the NFC to have besides Dallas. At 10-4, the Cowboys have a sizable lead at the top of the NFC East standings but it should still be a relief to know that box has been ticked.

On Sunday they will take on Washington. A win in that contest will clinch the division.

The Cowboys clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2018

The Cowboys haven’t made it to the playoffs since 2018 when they lost in the divisional round to the Rams.

It’s been a rough couple of years for Dallas. In 2019 they went 8-8 and head coach Jason Garrett was fired. New head coach Mike McCarthy managed a 6-10 season in Year 1, though that record was heavily influenced by a season-ending injury to Dak Prescott early in the campaign.

Prescott made it back healthy for the start of the season and he’s helped guide the team to their 10-4 record along with a strong rushing attack and an improved defense.

Even though Dallas lost the season opener to Tampa Bay, they ripped off six-straight victories before hitting a bit of a slump in November with losses to Denver, Kansas City and Las Vegas. Since then, they’ve won three games on the road to right the ship.

Now the focus has to be on getting the best playoff seeding possible and getting ready to make more of an impression in the postseason than they’ve managed in years past. They’ll close out the regular season with games against Washington, Arizona and Philadelphia.