The NFC East just became a tiny bit easier for the Dallas Cowboys. They owe the Washington Commanders big time.

On Thursday night there was an NFC East tilt that went down to the wire. When it looked like the New York Giants (5-3-1) were going to take a serious step forward, a leap to be honest, in the NFC East race, Jayden Daniels hit Stefon Diggs to give Washington the late lead that held until the end.

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In case you are unaware, a Giants win on Thursday night would have just about sealed the NFC East race. Nothing is ever official obviously, but it would have given them six wins to date and with the tie from their previous matchup against Washington that would have put them at 6.5 in an effective sense.

New York’s remaining schedule suggests that they should come close to finishing around 9-10 wins.

Given that the Cowboys currently own a 4-5 record, and that they play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, envisioning them finishing with 10 or 11 wins to clear New York’s potential total with the tie is difficult, and obviously the lower the bar the more ideal the situation.

The Cowboys’ remaining schedule:

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Dallas still gets to play New York one more time so they can at least impact things in a direct sense that one time. They are far from out of the woods, but this outcome made a division title, and therefore playoff appearance, a little bit less silly to talk or dream about.

For what it’s worth, the Commanders (3-5-1) are also now a factor. Their remaining schedule could see them find a way, too.

The dream lives another day. As you were.