Two practice-week schedules sit inside Mike McCarthy’s office, the Cowboys coach said Friday.
One was prepared for the event the team’s regular-season finale next weekend against the Washington Commanders is held Saturday, Jan. 7. The other is ready should the game be scheduled Sunday.
McCarthy is unsure which one he will use.
When the NFL released the regular-season schedule in May, it baked fluidity into how Week 18 games would be structured. The league wants to create as much drama as possible, preferring to have playoff scenarios be resolved at different stadiums simultaneously rather than an early-slate game rendering a later one inconsequential.
As far as the Cowboys are concerned, nothing could be at stake in Landover, Md.
The Philadelphia Eagles can clinch the NFC East title, homefield advantage throughout the playoffs and a first-round bye Sunday afternoon with a win at home against the New Orleans Saints — or an Eagles tie plus a Minnesota Vikings loss or tie at the Green Bay Packers.
Should the Eagles clinch, the Cowboys will be locked into the fifth seed in the conference tournament.
The NFL has kept in contact with clubs about regular-season finale scheduling.
“The last communication I was given was that we’ll probably know Sunday night,” McCarthy said. “I don’t know whether we play Saturday or Sunday. I think you know me well enough. I have two schedules sitting here right on my desk as far a six-day or a seven-day [prep week] going into the Washington game. Hopefully, we’ll get that information by Sunday night.”
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