Cowboys Playoff WATCH: Scouting Rams at Saints on 'TNF'

Dallas Cowboys Playoff WATCH: Scouting Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints on 'TNF'

FRISCO - Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy on Thursday morning here inside The Star spoke on the value of "11 wins.'' It's an accomplishment for a team. It's a hallmark.

And 10-4 Dallas is one victory away from that ... with a focus on achieving that next win on Sunday at the Miami Dolphins.

But in between now and then? Dallas has clinched a playoff berth and has therefore earned the right to peek ahead - just a little bit - at who might be whom in the postseason.

Which brings us to the Los Angeles Rams playing host to the New Orleans Saints on "Thursday Night Football.''

Los Angeles has won four of its last five to vault into the playoff hunt. ... as the Rams currently hold the No. 7 seed in the seven-team NFC playoff bracket.

The Saints are also at 7-7 but due to playoff tie-breakers have their noses pressed against the bracket glass and hold the No. 9 spot.

But New Orleans is also still in the hunt for the NFC South title, currently led by the Bucs at 7-7.

Why does all of this - watching Rams running back Kyren Williams and watching Saints receiver Chris Olave and all the rest - matter to Dallas?

The most likely playoff scenario for the Cowboys is that they land the No. 5 seed as the top Wild Card team. Once the playoffs start, that would mean a Round 1 bout with the worst division winner ... and that's going to be the team that emerges from the NFC South - meaning the Saints could play host to Dallas in Round 1.

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A less likely scenario but a Cowboys Christmas wish? Dallas wins out while the 10-4 Eagles stumble, meaning the Cowboys win the NFC East, making them the No. 2 seed.

And who will the No. 2 seed play in Round 1? That would be the No. 7 seed, the lowest Wild Card. And that could very well be the Rams.

So the Cowboys are busy scouting the Dolphins, no doubt. But "TNF'' is also, as you can see, worth a glance.