Turning from tanking

[CouchCoach]

I changed from being a 16 game season fan to a fan of 16 1 game seasons some time back in order to get football back to where it was fun for me and every game wasn't about the standings because that robs a fan of victories.

It helps that my college team is the Razorbacks and watching them get victories this year has really stoked the fire that every game matters.

And this year has taught me that every chance to be happy, even for a little while, is a worthwhile endeavor. Winning is better than losing. Even losing with a motive.

I was on that "why bother wagon" and more about better draft picks and even started a thread about going for Lawrence but then something happened, it began to matter.

It matters that the Cowboys try to win the division, as rancid as it might be, that's still winning the division and keeping PHL from repeating and being the first to do that since they last did it 16 years ago.

The team still wants to play, they proved that in the last two games and they'll play to the gun. They're playing for this coaching staff and fellow teammates and that was in question just a month ago. They could have cratered with a rat in the root cellar but they didn't, they decided to play as hard as they can.

Doesn't matter the division is bad. Doesn't matter the winner will go one and done in the playoffs. It does matter that they go for the division.

I started flashing back to when all that mattered was winning this division and every division game was special, I miss that. I miss me on division game day because it just didn't get any better than that. And playing the Commanders on Thanksgiving Day is still special. It's still Cowboys and Indians on a day that is going to be unlike any Thanksgiving in past years for many.

So, all the teams are mediocre, do we not want the Cowboys to be the best of the mediocre? Doesn't winning the East matter?

Don't get me wrong, I want high picks just like you do and think this brain trust needs every little bit of help but as long as there is a chance to win the East and keep it from our rivals, I can't think tank. Once it doesn't matter? Yeah, tank away but as long as there's a chance, I say we take it. While you still see a chance, just take it.

 

[big dog cowboy]

but as long as there is a chance to win the East and keep it from our rivals, I can't think tank.

Winning the East only means the Cowboys will get killed in the playoffs and be one and done. Again.

Not advocating tanking, but I want the higher draft picks.

 

[jazzcat22]

I been saying that all season long.
I will root for wins as long as they are mathematically alive.
However, losses will not make me lose any sleep.

 

[ShortRound]

Meh I’m just watching and hoping for a good outcome somehow. Wins or a draft pick. We’re hit by injuries so I’m not stressing too much about this season.

 

[CouchCoach]

Winning the East only means the Cowboys will get killed in the playoffs and be one and done. Again.

Not advocating tanking, but I want the higher draft picks.

I get that and I was there as well. But if getting killed in the playoffs and not seeing another East team doing that is the best this season can deliver, I will take it. Each season begins with win the East. Since when has it begun with advance in the playoffs?

 

[pancakeman]

I will say this, the games are more fun when I enter thinking they're going to lose than when I'd enter thinking they're going to win.
And frankly, it feels like the team's play is better when they enter thinking they're going to lose than when they'd enter thinking they're going to win.

 

[cowboyec]

Winning the East only means the Cowboys will get killed in the playoffs and be one and done. Again.

Not advocating tanking, but I want the higher draft picks.

if this teams crawls outta the toilet to win the east...i wouldn't bet against them to win that home play-off game.

 

[CouchCoach]

if this teams crawls outta the toilet to win the east...i wouldn't bet against them to win that home play-off game.

Depends on the draw but the winner of the East will get the best ranked WC team.

 

[cowboyec]

Depends on the draw but the winner of the East will get the best ranked WC team.

right.
but if they get there....they should have a MAJOR us vs the world kinda attitude.
no one wants us here.
no one believes in us.
every one thinks its a automatic win.
similar to how arizona felt...and they used that attitude and rode that emotion to the super bowl.
i dont think that'll happen here..but i would not bet against a 1st rd up-set.

 

[Bullflop]

I'm planning to pull for the C'boys to win vs. the Vikes, like I always do.
If we should lose, I'll see the higher draft picks as a worthy consolation.

 

[Captain-Crash]

here's a good one, "I don't care if they win, just so it's a good close game, crap"

 

[Runwildboys]

I will say this, the games are more fun when I enter thinking they're going to lose than when I'd enter thinking they're going to win.
And frankly, it feels like the team's play is better when they enter thinking they're going to lose than when they'd enter thinking they're going to win.

I don't know if the team ever thinks they're going to lose, before the start of the game. If they did, why would they try to win?

 

[Runwildboys]

here's a good one, "I don't care if they win, just so it's a good close game, crap"

I think for most, it's more like, "I hope they win, but if they lose, I hope they lose with dignity, and not embarrassingly."

 

[GMO415]

I'm a Cowboys fan so I want to see them win. Now, will they? That's a whole other story.

 

[blueblood70]

I been saying that all season long.
I will root for wins as long as they are mathematically alive.
However, losses will not make me lose any sleep.

exactly always start games wanting a win, however totally apathetic to the losses, its oh well we had less then 30% shot anyway..

 

[Typhus]

I get that and I was there as well. But if getting killed in the playoffs and not seeing another East team doing that is the best this season can deliver, I will take it. Each season begins with win the East. Since when has it begun with advance in the playoffs?

No team in the NFC East is going anywhere in the playoffs, so it will be somewhat pleasurable watching the Eagles, Giants or Skins get smashed... better not be us.
This season is a wash,, but Im still watching every game, I always have, and always will.

 

[Diehardblues]

Losing is never a good goal. It only breeds more losing .

And if we are going to watch all of these games which I assume most of us are ( it’s not an option for me) then we want our team to play hard and attempt to win. Regardless if it means anything or not, winning always feel better and more fun.

Earning a higher draft pick for losing is simply the silver lining , it shouldn’t become a goal. I think some fans justify the losing in a positive spin selling the higher pick. Which again is just the consolation prize from losing.

 

[Diehardblues]

No team in the NFC East is going anywhere in the playoffs, so it will be somewhat pleasurable watching the Eagles, Giants or Skins get smashed... better not be us.
This season is a wash,, but Im still watching every game, I always have, and always will.

Getting to first base is always better than not getting on base.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Winning the NFC Least is not my main concern or something to hang your hat on..... heck even JJ doesn't hang any NFC E division winner banners i don't think. SB banners is what its about man.... have we lowered the bar so much.? Oh wait, 25 years will do that to you. NO ONE is going to respect the nfc east winner anyway so who cares who wins it this year.

Just watching for entertainment purposes only..

 

[Rockport]

I changed from being a 16 game season fan to a fan of 16 1 game seasons some time back in order to get football back to where it was fun for me and every game wasn't about the standings because that robs a fan of victories.

It helps that my college team is the Razorbacks and watching them get victories this year has really stoked the fire that every game matters.

And this year has taught me that every chance to be happy, even for a little while, is a worthwhile endeavor. Winning is better than losing. Even losing with a motive.

I was on that "why bother wagon" and more about better draft picks and even started a thread about going for Lawrence but then something happened, it began to matter.

It matters that the Cowboys try to win the division, as rancid as it might be, that's still winning the division and keeping PHL from repeating and being the first to do that since they last did it 16 years ago.

The team still wants to play, they proved that in the last two games and they'll play to the gun. They're playing for this coaching staff and fellow teammates and that was in question just a month ago. They could have cratered with a rat in the root cellar but they didn't, they decided to play as hard as they can.

Doesn't matter the division is bad. Doesn't matter the winner will go one and done in the playoffs. It does matter that they go for the division.

I started flashing back to when all that mattered was winning this division and every division game was special, I miss that. I miss me on division game day because it just didn't get any better than that. And playing the Commanders on Thanksgiving Day is still special. It's still Cowboys and Indians on a day that is going to be unlike any Thanksgiving in past years for many.

So, all the teams are mediocre, do we not want the Cowboys to be the best of the mediocre? Doesn't winning the East matter?

Don't get me wrong, I want high picks just like you do and think this brain trust needs every little bit of help but as long as there is a chance to win the East and keep it from our rivals, I can't think tank. Once it doesn't matter? Yeah, tank away but as long as there's a chance, I say we take it. While you still see a chance, just take it.

You’re welcome.