Signs this team is a contender

viman96

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Yep, but SF was considered better than us, and we didn't have home field.

I didn't expect to win that game going into it.

That is true but that does not mean everyone did not know Dallas was elite. There was a lot of hype around the Cowboys through out the season. I agree it did continue to build as the weather turned. All the young and fast talent continued to dominate other teams and especially so when they did against a well established team.

We know about the offense how they would grind down opponents by controlling the clock and scoring TDs. I also recall as the season wore on people really started to make note of the defensive line rotation and how they were fresh which obviously had a major role in preventing yards and points.
 

viman96

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The defense still scares me. Outside of Diggs getting turnovers, they've been complete garbage.

Yeah me as well. I'm more concerned about the DL and stopping the run. I think when they play a team with a really good rushing game the defense could be in big trouble. The interior is still very suspect. I'm really looking forward to DLaw and Gallimore getting back to help with stopping the run and applying pressure to the QB.
 

DallasEast

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  • A defense that can get TOs and pressure the opponents’ QB (check)
I am wishing for BIG things from Demarcus Lawrence when he returns. Hopefully his rehab is on-track. Adding a re-energized defensive end to this line with a mission will generate even more quarterback pressures.
 

Established1971

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To be a real contender for a deep playoff run that can include the SB, there are several very obvious signs that must be present:
  • A high powered offense that can score. (Check)
  • The mental toughness to comeback from late game deficits to win (check)
  • A defense that can get TOs and pressure the opponents’ QB (check)
  • The ability to win on the road while dominating at home (we’re 2-1 on the road, 3-0 at home- Check)
But there are also some lesser known signs that can also be indicators of a contender we have exhibited:
  • The ability to switch offensive tendencies depending on the opponent- this means one week you can throw it 50 times and win and the next week run it 40 times and win- all depending on the opponent. Under Garrett we were rarely ever able to do this. (Check)
  • Win a game or two where your team didn’t play that well- we played better against TB in a loss than against the chargers or the pats, yet we won both of the latter. Good teams find a way to win no matter how they’ve played. (Check)
  • Have a sizable point differential that places your team in the top 5 - Every SB team the last 6 years has finished in the top 5 of point differential. (So far, check)
  • The ability to overcome some key injuries- this team has a 5 game winning streak happening with 4-5 starters out with injuries. Another good sign that this team is mentally tough. (Check)
  • The ability to overcome unforeseen adversity- every year, some unforeseen adversity hits a good team. A suspension, an injury, a bad call, an unexpected loss, etc, etc…It takes the collective team will to overcome those adversities (To be determined)
So far through 35% of the season, there are many good signs that this team is a contender. But there’s a ton of football left to play. Can this team keep its mental edge and toughness? Can’t wait to find out what this team is really made of.
Id like to see a lot more pressure on the opponents qb. I know people here cite stats about pressures, etc, but my eye test while watching the game is saying we need a lot of improvement there. And no I'm not saying it has to be a sack, but I am just not seeing the opposing qb's having the pressure a champion team would be creating
 

Batman1980

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Id like to see a lot more pressure on the opponents qb. I know people here cite stats about pressures, etc, but my eye test while watching the game is saying we need a lot of improvement there. And no I'm not saying it has to be a sack, but I am just not seeing the opposing qb's having the pressure a champion team would be creating

Tank Lawrence is a much better LDE than the ones we're currently fielding. Hopefully his mid-season return will be the salve our pass rush needs to take the next step for a deep post-season run.
 

CATCH17

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Id like to see a lot more pressure on the opponents qb. I know people here cite stats about pressures, etc, but my eye test while watching the game is saying we need a lot of improvement there. And no I'm not saying it has to be a sack, but I am just not seeing the opposing qb's having the pressure a champion team would be creating

I think our pressure is more than fine.

You’re not going to get much pressure if you don’t make the opponent abandon the quick passing game.

Randy Gregory is on the QB in a flash but they still get rid of the ball. When you can get them to hold it then that’s when the Dallas avalanche usually occurs and picks and sacks start happening.

If you want more sacks and turnovers you have to get the offense out of its comfort zone because a lot of these teams will throw short passes all day. That’s why every QB throws for 63%+ completion percentages.

If our offense scores points sacks and turnovers will follow.
 

jazzcat22

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Lately as been said, a team does not need a great defense, just a decent defense, IF they have a high powered offense.
I believe that to be more true now than what I used to believe. At least for the regular season, and can work for the playoffs as well.
I was and still am, a strong believer that a team needs the tough defense. And this defense is not as good as it seems, not yet. But they will get better. Get some players back will help.
But I am turning on that a little bit. Have a top 12 defenses, or be plying like it, you can go a long way into the playoffs.

Yesterday as I was watching some college football. They were talking about this, as even in college, well probably more so in college. You just need your defense to be good enough, if your offense is a powerhouse. It was the Ohio State game, as they have the best offense in the NCAA, but the defense is starting to get better. Right now, they are just ok, not great.
We know we have the offense, but can the defense step it up. As they will need to when we play the better teams with a very good offense.

Vikings can have a good offense at times, KC, maybe the Raiders as they have looked it at times. Cardinals for sure. All the other teams are not that great. I won't say the Saints are even that decent but could be at times. Thing is none of the teams left on the schedule has a great defense. My most concerns is if the Vikings defense has a good game as they can, the Raiders possibly, but both can be scored on as well. Cardinals, maybe, I have not looked on how their defense is playing, Saints seems to have a decent defense also. WFT does not scare me. Matter of fact, none of those defenses scare me.
 

CouchCoach

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I do think this team is a contender as long as the defense remains opportunistic and IND and NO got rings with that type of defense. And I do not think either had the offense than this team has.

Going to be a tough road with the teams in the NFC and getting into one of those top two spots will be a real challenge.

One difference I believe I see in this team from those that squandered the home advantage in the playoffs. I do not think this team thinks they have arrived yet just because they are the Cowboys.

Time was locking up the division early would concern me but while I had my sights just on winning the division and maybe one playoff game, their sights are higher than that. They know they could have and should have beaten the defending champs at home to open the season.

And I do not underestimate a HC and DC looking for redemption and their team wanting to give them that.

With all the crap about McC and his clock management and sideline management in general, it seems lost on some how his team is playing for him. The man went for it on 4th down on his own 34 in New England, who does that? A man who believes in his team and has a team that believes in him. In order to achieve, you must first believe.
 

fivetwos

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That is true but that does not mean everyone did not know Dallas was elite. There was a lot of hype around the Cowboys through out the season. I agree it did continue to build as the weather turned. All the young and fast talent continued to dominate other teams and especially so when they did against a well established team.

We know about the offense how they would grind down opponents by controlling the clock and scoring TDs. I also recall as the season wore on people really started to make note of the defensive line rotation and how they were fresh which obviously had a major role in preventing yards and points.
They had tremendous depth along the DLine.

Yes the 91 team won 11 games but that season was about the emergence of the triplets.

The defense had its issues. They couldn't stop the run and shoot, the trend of the time.

The DBs included Landry holdover like Manny Hendrix and Vince Albritton. Isaac Holt was a terrible cover corner, and 12th rounder Larry Brown won a starting job.

People recognized the additions of Kevin Smith and Charles Haley in the offseason, but there was no chatter about them being some sort of dominant defense, and they never became that if you're asking me. They were very, very good.....but come on....the fact that we controlled the ball and usually played with a lead helped that defense greatly.

In the end, points allowed and yards allowed show it was a great defense, but the offense plays a role when that's the criteria.

Either way, all I'm doing is comparing the current team to that one....

-It's not considered a great defense but it's good enough.

-They aren't considered the best team overall, but people are aware they are around.

-They are improving as they go.

Those analogies completely work. I remember the 92 season and sentiment along the way very, very well.
 

jazzcat22

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Tank Lawrence is a much better LDE than the ones we're currently fielding. Hopefully his mid-season return will be the salve our pass rush needs to take the next step for a deep post-season run.

Last I seen around mid November. Hopefully that means for the KC game.
Same more Gallimore, if not before then.
 

CATCH17

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They had tremendous depth along the DLine.

Yes the 91 team won 11 games but that season was about the emergence of the triplets.

The defense had its issues. They couldn't stop the run and shoot, the trend of the time.

The DBs included Landry holdover like Manny Hendrix and Vince Albritton. Isaac Holt was a terrible cover corner, and 12th rounder Larry Brown won a starting job.

People recognized the additions of Kevin Smith and Charles Haley in the offseason, but there was no chatter about them being some sort of dominant defense, and they never became that if you're asking me. They were very, very good.....but come on....the fact that we controlled the ball and usually played with a lead helped that defense greatly.

In the end, points allowed and yards allowed show it was a great defense, but the offense plays a role when that's the criteria.

Either way, all I'm doing is comparing the current team to that one....

-It's not considered a great defense but it's good enough.

-They aren't considered the best team overall, but people are aware they are around.

-They are improving as they go.

Those analogies completely work. I remember the 92 season and sentiment along the way very, very well.

Compare our defense to what the league currently has.

Defense isn’t played like it used to be.


Bills and Rams have nice defense. After that it’s bad.
 

fivetwos

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Compare our defense to what the league currently has.

Defense isn’t played like it used to be.


Bills and Rams have nice defense. After that it’s bad.
I think you know I'm with you on this subject.
 

Jake

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  • The ability to overcome unforeseen adversity- every year, some unforeseen adversity hits a good team. A suspension, an injury, a bad call, an unexpected loss, etc, etc…It takes the collective team will to overcome those adversities (To be determined)
So far through 35% of the season, there are many good signs that this team is a contender. But there’s a ton of football left to play. Can this team keep its mental edge and toughness? Can’t wait to find out what this team is really made of.

Lael Collins suspended for 5 games. Cowboys won all 5 of them. Steele stepped in and did his job.
 

johneric8

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Id like to see a lot more pressure on the opponents qb. I know people here cite stats about pressures, etc, but my eye test while watching the game is saying we need a lot of improvement there. And no I'm not saying it has to be a sack, but I am just not seeing the opposing qb's having the pressure a champion team would be creating
Yep, the good old eye test never lies! :omg:
 

CATCH17

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I'm not sure if you're trolling here bro. You really like big mike? Me personally, I think he's a really good coach, we might be in the minority around here.

Based on what though?

I can see Dallas going 12-4 with Garrett and know he still sucks as a coach.

Dallas is winning but everything McCarthy is involved with on game day is nothing short of atrocious.

With McCarthy you have to build this story of things you can’t measure to validate him being a good coach but everything we get to actually see is nothing short of awful.

His coordinators and talent is carrying him and when he is called upon to make a decision it turns into an absolute circus.
 
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