Analyzing Cowboys' playoff status tricky

(Irving-AP) -- How will the Cowboys fare in the playoffs? Start with the Seattle game -- it's the one that matters first. A Seattle loss guarantees Dallas no worse than the Number

Friday, December 26th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Irving-AP) -- How will the Cowboys fare in the playoffs?

Start with the Seattle game -- it's the one that matters first.

A Seattle loss guarantees Dallas no worse than the Number Five seed -- the top wild card.

If the Seahawks win, the Cowboys could still get the second, fifth or sixth seeds.

If Philadelphia loses Saturday night, Dallas can win the division by beating New Orleans.

An Eagles win would limit the Cowboys to a wild card.

If the Seahawks have already lost, Dallas is set at Number Five.

But a Seattle win would mean the Cowboys have to win to clinch Number Five.

They could still get it with a loss, but that'd take some figuring out based on other games.