An NFL team with a 2-7 record heading into Week 11 of the season shouldn’t normally be feeling optimistic about their playoff chances. But the Dallas Cowboys also happen to be playing in the NFC East, which is why they actually have a chance of making the playoffs and winning their division.

It’s not unusual for a team with this record to still be in the running for the postseason this late in the season, but the Cowboys have a chance. Running back Ezekiel Elliott is also astonished by it, per Jori Epstein of USA Today, but also understands that they have to be able to take advantage of the opportunity. 

“It is kind of crazy to be 2-7 and still have a chance. But “everything is ahead of us.”

His teammates, particularly, defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, feel encouraged by their most recent game, a 24-19 loss to the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers, a game where they led most of the way and actually had a chance to win. 

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Elliott has struggled so far this season, with 150 carries for 572 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns and 36 receptions for 238 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in nine games. These are far from his numbers during the three seasons when he made the Pro Bowl, and if the Cowboys are to make a late push for the playoffs, it is important for the 25-year old to rediscover his old form. 

The Cowboys face the 4-5 Minnesota Vikings in their next game on Sunday, and a win would bring them close to the division leaders, the Philadelphia Eagles, which currently have a 3-5-1 record. 

Dallas, however, have not win since beating the New York Giants, 37-34, back in Week 5, which was also when quarterback Dak Prescott went down with a season-ending injury. The team has struggled since, losing three straight, but played well and kept things close against Pittsburgh, and now believe they can still make the postseason in spite their record.