Dallas Cowboys An NFL Playoffs Lock?

Oddsmakers are bearish on the Cowboys' success in the chase for the postseason.

FRISCO - Sports oddsmakers have the Dallas Cowboys as a shoe-in for the playoffs in 2021, as they are listed as heavy favorites to win the NFC East Division ... and they are bearish on their success in the postseason.

Odds did not see a shift when quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract this week. Prescott was expected to be a Cowboy this season (either via tag or new deal) and therefore already priced in to the Cowboys +100 odds to win the NFC East.

The Washington Football Team, the reigning division champions after winning just seven games in 2020, have +350 odds to win the title again. If Washington lands a quarterback to go along with their stout defense led by Chase Young, watch those odds jump. The Philadelphia Eagles odds are +400 and the New York Giants have +450 odds to win the NFC East.

Prescott’s odds for NFL MVP are currently at +1600 to win the award. 

Before the 27-year-old went down with a season-ending ankle injury in week five last season, Prescott was on pace for a record-breaking season with 1,856 yards with nine touchdowns. So far, Prescott’s rehab has been encouraging that he will be back and “better than ever” for the season.

[VIDEO: Dak Prescott Shows Off Healthy Ankle In Cowboys Workout]

READ: Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Better Than Russell Wilson?]

Prescott's private view, per CowboysSI.com sources, is that he will be fully healthy this spring, with no aftereffects of the injury and surgery. The Cowboys feel the same way, with this contract essentially confirming those beliefs.

With the mega contract comes mega expectations. Fresh off a 6-10 season, the Cowboys look to bounce back in his Coach Mike McCarthy’s second-season as head coach. Prescott has lead the Cowboys to three playoff games so far, with a 1-2 postseason record. 

While the Cowboys are the favorites to make it to the playoffs, they aren’t perceived as legitimate contenders for a Super Bowl title, according to oddsmakers. Dallas has middle of the pack odds (+3000) to win the Super Bowl, 13th best in the league.