With how the Dallas Cowboys have played in the first nine weeks it seemed players, coaches and fans needed a week to catch their breath from their 2-7 record.

And though the Cowboys boast their worst record since 2015, they’re still well within reach of earning a playoff spot, the division crown and a first-round home game.

Whether you fall on the line of tank or win games will determine how you view their last seven games.

Sunday, Dallas visits the Minnesota Vikings (4-5).

A team Mike McCathy spent 13 years battling in the NFC North.

Dallas is coming off one of their more complete showings against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though it ended in a fourth-quarter comeback for the Steelers, it showed all hope is not lost if you’re still wishing to see this team in the postseason.

For one, Dallas has the easiest remaining schedule of those in the division – if they’re able to take care of their final three NFC East games.

But most importantly, Mike McCarthy has a solid track record of maximizing his teams ability to win games following the bye week.

He’s 75-52 in games post bye weeks – which includes his final two years where he went 6-13.

He’s also 8-5 in games immediately following the bye week.

2006 – 7-4

* (L) St. Louis Rams

2007 – 8-2

* (W) Washington Redskins

2008 – 2-7

*(W) Colts

2009 – 9-3

*(L) Minnesota Vikings

2010 – 4-3

*(W) Dallas

2011 – 8-1

*(W) Minnesota

2012 – 5-2

*(W) Arizona Cardinals

2013 – 7-5-1

*(L) Bengals

2014 – 7-1

*(L) Saints

2015 – 4-6

*(W) Chargers

2016 – 8-5

*(W) Detriot

2017 – 3-6

*(L) Saints

2018 – 3-7

*(W) 49ers

*indicates game immediately following the bye week. (Record = W/L in games after a bye)

McCarthy noted that the Cowboys had a mock game-type practice on Monday and that Andy Dalton was a full participant and that he had a good day. When asked about Dalton starting, he said they would have to get through the whole week of practice first.

Asked if the Cowboys players had a particular pep in their steam on Monday as a direct result of Sunday’s results within the NFC East, McCarthy said that energy was definitely high, but that he doesn’t believe it was necessarily in relation to Week 10’s action. He thought it was from the team being well-rested after the bye week.