The Dallas Cowboys’ season has taken a new turn after back-to-back wins, reigniting hopes of a playoff push. With a 5-7 record, the Cowboys are far from a playoff-caliber team, but the confidence within the locker room is palpable. Under Mike McCarthy, and with a defense that’s turning things around under Mike Zimmer, the Cowboys are beginning to click, especially with Cooper Rush leading the offense. But is all this optimism just recency bias?

The Cowboys’ most recent wins over the Washington Commanders and New York Giants, both teams with significant struggles this season, have boosted the Cowboys’ morale. Yet, McCarthy isn’t entertaining playoff scenarios just yet. “I’ve done this a long time, and I’ve said this a long time, you’re really wasting your time talking about narratives that are really hypotheticals because you never talk about that [playoffs] until you get to 10 wins,” McCarthy explained. “But if that’s the path to it, then that’s the reality of where we are.”

The Cowboys are aware that, despite the recent victories, their playoff chances are slim without stringing together several more wins. McCarthy emphasized focusing on what’s next rather than dwelling on the distant postseason. “We’ve just done a really solid job of staying focused on what’s up next,” he said, noting that his team’s preparation and execution have been top-notch.

For the Cowboys, a playoff run requires reaching 10 wins, which is a tough task given their current position. One more loss could derail any hope of competing for a playoff spot. While McCarthy’s “formula” focuses on handling each week as it comes, the confidence in the locker room is growing, and a confident team can be a dangerous one.

Now, Dallas must prove its recent success wasn’t just a fluke, as they face the Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow in Week 14. Losing this game would send them tumbling further behind in the playoff race. It’s one week at a time for McCarthy’s squad, but for now, they’re feeling good about their chances.