The Dallas Cowboys’ odds to make the NFL playoffs just got a lot longer following the team’s disappointing loss versus the Detroit Lions. Dallas’ defense returned to its previous underwhelming form in Detroit.
Despite the Cowboys’ recent surge, the team’s play has been less than ideal amid Brian Schottenheimer’s first season as head coach. During the offseason, the Cowboys coach may not have won the press conference with fans dreaming of potential star coaches once Mike McCarthy was not retained, but Schottenheimer’s approval rating appears to be high despite Dallas’ uneven season.
Schottenheimer has brought increased juice to The Star, but the challenge is the Cowboys roster had plenty of flaws heading into the season. Dallas tried to atone for this with several late moves to improve the defense ahead of the NFL trade deadline, but it is likely to be too little, too late when it comes to the Cowboys’ postseason hopes.
What does Schottenheimer’s future hold in Dallas? There is plenty of hot seat chatter around the NFL, but Cowboys fans can expect to see Schottenheimer to roam the sideline in Dallas once again in 2026.
Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer Avoids Hot Seat Status Despite Dallas Likely Missing the NFL Playoffs
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon offered a “hot seat check” for every NFL job. Schottenheimer finds himself in the “1st-Year Cool” category, which is the second safest group behind the “Ice-Cold” list.
“The Dallas hierarchy has been quite patient with head coaches dating back to the end of the Dave Campo era, and Schottenheimer probably bought himself extra time with a three-game post-bye winning streak to move the Cowboys back into the playoff picture, despite the most recent loss to the Lions,” Gagnon wrote in a December 5, 2025, story titled, “Hot Seat Check for Every NFL Head Coach.”
For fans wondering, the following five coaches were listed in either the “Warm” or “Burning-Hot” categories: Cardinals‘ Jonathan Gannon, Falcons’ Raheem Morris, Browns’ Kevin Stefanski, Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel and Steelers‘ Mike Tomlin.
The Cowboys Have a 91% Chance of Missing the NFL Playoffs
Following the Cowboys’ loss to the Lions, Dallas has just a 9% chance to make the NFL playoffs at 6-6-1, per The Athletic’s model. Even if the Cowboys win all of the team’s remaining four games, Dallas is still unlikely to make the postseason. Put another way, Dallas has a 91% chance of missing the postseason.
The challenge for Dallas is the strength of the NFC, including the Philadelphia Eagles who sit atop the NFC East at 8-4. Dak Prescott does not sound concerned about the Cowboys’ long postseason odds.
“These guys aren’t deflated right now, they are (ticked) off,” Prescott noted following the team’s loss to the Lions, per ESPN. “We just need to use that the right way — as fuel for the rest of the season.”
Schottenheimer is not on the hot seat, and the Cowboys may be using the team’s final four games as preparation for 2026. The Cowboys coach is not concerned that the recent loss will halt the team’s previous momentum.
“Special group of guys. They’re not gonna let that happen,” Schottenheimer noted on December 5, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “… We’ll pick ourselves up and go back to work.”
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