Three keys to a successful playoff run for the Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys all but wrapped up the NFC East Sunday afternoon after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles for the second time this season 29-23. They can officially clinch the division with a win Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, or an Eagles loss to the Rams. With that being said, the Cowboys have a 98 percent chance to win the division, which means playoff football is ahead of them.

What will it take for the Cowboys to make a run in the playoffs? I have three keys to a successful playoff run.

HEALTH

It would be in the Cowboys best interest to wrap up the division as soon as possible, meaning Sunday. They are a banged up team and if they can clinch Sunday, it would give them three weeks to get their guys healthy. Zack Martin reinjured his knee Sunday and will be out against the Colts. Tyron just came back against Eagles as he is battling several different injuries. Elliott left Sunday’s game briefly with a stinger but did return. All the names mentioned to this point are going to be critical to a successful playoff run. Sean Lee and Tavon Austin are both expected back as soon as Sunday, but it will be important to make sure they stay healthy going into wild card weekend.

DAK TURNOVERS

Coming off a game where he threw for 455 yards and three touchdowns, there is no question that Dak Prescott has played some of his best football of his entire career during this five game winning streak. The addition of Amari Cooper has provided him a legit #1 receiver. However, that does not mean it has been perfect. He threw two bad interceptions and fumbled once, which allowed the Eagles to hang around in that game.

The Cowboys will most likely be going into the playoffs as the 4 seed so that means the only home game they would have during the playoffs would be wild card weekend so ball security will be very important in any potential road games should they advance.

RED ZONE OFFENSE

One of the storylines that has developed over the course of the season is the lack of success in the red zone. The Cowboys rank 30^th in the NFL with a 46 percent touchdown rate in the red zone and in the last three games, they rank 32^nd scoring a touchdown on only 33 percent of their red zone drives. The Cowboys have the perfect recipe for success in the postseason with their running game and defense, but the red zone is an area that needs to improve.