CFZ It takes an entire season to judge a season

[Bobhaze]

As of today, December 8th, we have now played about 70% of the 2023 NFL regular season. I’m amazed at how many fans and media types are already assessing the 2023 season as if it is mostly determined. When in actuality, no team will be seeded for the playoffs until the last regular season game is played. There is a ton of football left to be played before we know how this all shakes out.

In other words, it takes an entire season to judge a season. No team, player or coach is ever crowned 70% into the season.

The Cowboys have 5 games left, and the results in those 5 games will determine whether the Cowboys will be a #1, #2 or a #5 seed. As I’ve noticed so far this year, in over 12 weeks of the NFL schedule there are upsets almost weekly. None of us know how this is going to turn out.

Ultimately the Cowboys 2023 season will be judged by how well the team does in the playoffs. And the playoffs officially start Jan. 13-14. So enjoy the ride my friends. I don’t know how this will all turn out but I will guarantee this- I will be tuned in.

This 2023 Cowboys team is capable of making some noise in the playoffs. Just gotta go do it.

 

[Crown Royal]

Being a sports fan of a team is an act of watching a story unfold that almost always ends with a sad ending. Regardless of sport, team or league, in the long term - you will almost ALWAYS end the year disappointed.

I believe a secret to happiness is knowing and embracing this fact,and just enjoying the ride. I have seen teams I thought were primed BREAK my heart (2007 Cowboys). I've seen MIRACLES (go Texas Rangers!). I've seen stories with great middles but bitter endings (2014) and I've seen stories that sucked from the beginning (2015). But enjoyed them all and take each week independently.

This team has been fun to watch. If you ask me today whether I think it's a super bowl team, I'd say probably not. But frankly that's easy and I can say that virtually every year and be right. I look forward to the day that my patience and fandom are rewarded with a happy ending, but until then am grateful for each week I get to watch sports.

 

[Bobhaze]

Being a sports fan of a team is an act of watching a story unfold that almost always ends with a sad ending. Regardless of sport, team or league, in the long term - you will almost ALWAYS end the year disappointed.

I believe a secret to happiness is knowing and embracing this fact,and just enjoying the ride. I have seen teams I thought were primed BREAK my heart (2007 Cowboys). I've seen MIRACLES (go Texas Rangers!). I've seen stories with great middles but bitter endings (2014) and I've seen stories that sucked from the beginning (2015). But enjoyed them all and take each week independently.

This team has been fun to watch. If you ask me today whether I think it's a super bowl team, I'd say probably not. But frankly that's easy and I can say that virtually every year and be right. I look forward to the day that my patience and fandom are rewarded with a happy ending, but until then am grateful for each week I get to watch sports.

Well said Crown. We should all remember to enjoy the ride. As a guy who has seen nearly six decades of Cowboys football, take nothing for granted but enjoy it all.

 

[DallasEast]

As of today, December 8th, we have now played about 70% of the 2023 NFL regular season. I’m amazed at how many fans and media types are already assessing the 2023 season as if it is mostly determined. When in actuality, no team will be seeded for the playoffs until the last regular season game is played. There is a ton of football left to be played before we know how this all shakes out.

In other words, it takes an entire season to judge a season. No team, player or coach is ever crowned 70% into the season.

The Cowboys have 5 games left, and the results in those 5 games will determine whether the Cowboys will be a #1, #2 or a #5 seed. As I’ve noticed so far this year, in over 12 weeks of the NFL schedule there are upsets almost weekly. None of us know how this is going to turn out.

Ultimately the Cowboys 2023 season will be judged by how well the team does in the playoffs. And the playoffs officially start Jan. 13-14. So enjoy the ride my friends. I don’t know how this will all turn out but I will guarantee this- I will be tuned in.

This 2023 Cowboys team is capable of making some noise in the playoffs. Just gotta go do it.

"May determine." Continued focus and determination should work in Dallas' favor in achieving those possible seeds. Slip-ups could do the exact opposite.

It is why I hope to see continued improvement from this team from here-on-out. They have not hit their ceiling yet. And they are capable of striving for more.

 

[Chuck 54]

Yep, lots of emphasis on this game. Win or lose, it will be totally forgotten and our season will be judged by the playoffs.
Yes, it is possible to win the division and get the #1 seed and poop the bed against one of the worst playoff teams.
Yes, it’s possible to lose at home to Philly because someone plays poorly or makes a mistake in a close game, yet still have 2 or three wins in the playoffs as the #5 seed.

We all want to win because 1) we hate the dirty, scumbag Eagles and 2) because we hold out the very slim hope that we will win the division or even get that 1 seed. Personally, I’m excited that this team is still improving and peaking, and I’m excited about the playoffs, no matter where we are when it begins. Win 2 playoff games for the first time in forever, and no one will be thinking about any regular season games.

 

[Mark]

Being a sports fan of a team is an act of watching a story unfold that almost always ends with a sad ending. Regardless of sport, team or league, in the long term - you will almost ALWAYS end the year disappointed.

I believe a secret to happiness is knowing and embracing this fact,and just enjoying the ride. I have seen teams I thought were primed BREAK my heart (2007 Cowboys). I've seen MIRACLES (go Texas Rangers!). I've seen stories with great middles but bitter endings (2014) and I've seen stories that sucked from the beginning (2015). But enjoyed them all and take each week independently.

This team has been fun to watch. If you ask me today whether I think it's a super bowl team, I'd say probably not. But frankly that's easy and I can say that virtually every year and be right. I look forward to the day that my patience and fandom are rewarded with a happy ending, but until then am grateful for each week I get to watch sports.

Well said. The expectations of too many will declare this season to be an abject failure for 31 of 32 teams in the League.

The "fan" experience is much more than that. On my deathbed, something sure to be remembered will be the countless Cowboys games enjoyed huddled with my three sons, all now in their late twenties. I hope that, someday, their "patience and fandom" will be rewarded with the chance to see our team win a Super Bowl, all together. In the meantime, we'll continue to soak up all the many ancillary benefits this mutual interest has to offer.

 

[MoistMayonnaise]

I'm not so sure. I read on this board that if we lose Sunday the season is lost.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

Being a sports fan of a team is an act of watching a story unfold that almost always ends with a sad ending. Regardless of sport, team or league, in the long term - you will almost ALWAYS end the year disappointed.

I believe a secret to happiness is knowing and embracing this fact,and just enjoying the ride. I have seen teams I thought were primed BREAK my heart (2007 Cowboys). I've seen MIRACLES (go Texas Rangers!). I've seen stories with great middles but bitter endings (2014) and I've seen stories that sucked from the beginning (2015). But enjoyed them all and take each week independently.

This team has been fun to watch. If you ask me today whether I think it's a super bowl team, I'd say probably not. But frankly that's easy and I can say that virtually every year and be right. I look forward to the day that my patience and fandom are rewarded with a happy ending, but until then am grateful for each week I get to watch sports.

Exactly. Being too obsessed with outcome results in constant heartbreak and disappointment. Only one team can end any given season with a championship, so you've got to learn to enjoy the games as they come.

Being bitter the whole year saying nothing matters until the Superbowl is no way to actually enjoy your favorite team.

That being said, I do think Dallas can win it all this year, and we're due for a little luck.

 

[DallasEast]

I'm not so sure. I read on this board that if we lose Sunday the season is lost.

Some of the same folks have probably declared games were over during the first quarter of gameday threads. Pessimism is always an optimistic beast.

 

[Tangle_Foot]

It takes an entire season to judge a season
wait a minute, is this some sort of riddle

 

[Toro9]

The perennial inconsistency is what has me worried. Different coaching staff, different players.... Same result

 

[DallasEast]

Yep, lots of emphasis on this game. Win or lose, it will be totally forgotten and our season will be judged by the playoffs.
Yes, it is possible to win the division and get the #1 seed and poop the bed against one of the worst playoff teams.
Yes, it’s possible to lose at home to Philly because someone plays poorly or makes a mistake in a close game, yet still have 2 or three wins in the playoffs as the #5 seed.

We all want to win because 1) we hate the dirty, scumbag Eagles and 2) because we hold out the very slim hope that we will win the division or even get that 1 seed. Personally, I’m excited that this team is still improving and peaking, and I’m excited about the playoffs, no matter where we are when it begins. Win 2 playoff games for the first time in forever, and no one will be thinking about any regular season games.

Personally, I do not hate the Eagles and 27 other teams. That said, I have no comment about the Steelers, 49ers and Washington.

I have exchanged hoping the team claiming the number one seed for the team steeling itself for a possible four-game road postseason stretch. There have been small signs of that internal grit forming up to this point. It has every opportunity of taking full root during these next five games.

It's gravy if the team does attain the top seed. Homefield is always preferable. Yet, homefield advantage comes at the summary cost expectation for rising to the occasion no matter what any opponent bring to the table. Top seed or not, here's hoping the 2023 Dallas Cowboys meet their challenge head on and achieve ultimate success.

Or as the Klingons would say, "Qapla!"

Sorry. Star Trek nerd moment.

 

[Bobhaze]

Some of the same folks have probably declared games were over during the first quarter of gameday threads. Pessimism is always an optimistic beast.

I’ve seen Gameday threads start with some of our fans declaring “It’s over” after a first possession 3 and out, lol! 3 min into the game! It’s hilariously entertaining at times.

 

[Clove]

As of today, December 8th, we have now played about 70% of the 2023 NFL regular season. I’m amazed at how many fans and media types are already assessing the 2023 season as if it is mostly determined. When in actuality, no team will be seeded for the playoffs until the last regular season game is played. There is a ton of football left to be played before we know how this all shakes out.

In other words, it takes an entire season to judge a season. No team, player or coach is ever crowned 70% into the season.

The Cowboys have 5 games left, and the results in those 5 games will determine whether the Cowboys will be a #1, #2 or a #5 seed. As I’ve noticed so far this year, in over 12 weeks of the NFL schedule there are upsets almost weekly. None of us know how this is going to turn out.

Ultimately the Cowboys 2023 season will be judged by how well the team does in the playoffs. And the playoffs officially start Jan. 13-14. So enjoy the ride my friends. I don’t know how this will all turn out but I will guarantee this- I will be tuned in.

This 2023 Cowboys team is capable of making some noise in the playoffs. Just gotta go do it.

15 years ago, I took every game like it was the end of my life. It would fester and stay with me until the next game. Now, I take some games pretty hard until after the game, and then I move on. Love the team, love the game, but it's not my life and that's the way it should be. We watch football or any form of entertainment to get away from the harsh reality of every day life.

Football can be our alcohol or our food, or drug of choice to remove ourselves from the grim realities of life. Let's not make it that though.

 

[KJJ]

Most teams go through ups and downs during the season. It’s a 17 game marathon. I’ve watched enough football to know that every season comes down to how teams are playing in December and January.

 

[noshame]

I always enjoy the ride just once in 27 years I'd like to not have it end with a train wreck.

 

[VaqueroTD]

I'm not so sure. I read on this board that if we lose Sunday the season is lost.

 

[Roadtrip635]

As of today, December 8th, we have now played about 70% of the 2023 NFL regular season. I’m amazed at how many fans and media types are already assessing the 2023 season as if it is mostly determined. When in actuality, no team will be seeded for the playoffs until the last regular season game is played. There is a ton of football left to be played before we know how this all shakes out.

In other words, it takes an entire season to judge a season. No team, player or coach is ever crowned 70% into the season.

The Cowboys have 5 games left, and the results in those 5 games will determine whether the Cowboys will be a #1, #2 or a #5 seed. As I’ve noticed so far this year, in over 12 weeks of the NFL schedule there are upsets almost weekly. None of us know how this is going to turn out.

Ultimately the Cowboys 2023 season will be judged by how well the team does in the playoffs. And the playoffs officially start Jan. 13-14. So enjoy the ride my friends. I don’t know how this will all turn out but I will guarantee this- I will be tuned in.

This 2023 Cowboys team is capable of making some noise in the playoffs. Just gotta go do it.

We need something to talk about in between games.......

 

[DallasEast]

We need something to talk about in between games.......

Something to talk about? My vote is TACOS!

 

[Roadtrip635]

Something to talk about? My vote is TACOS!

I do love tacos! I had some outstanding chorizo, egg, and potato tacos with guacamole salsa a couple days ago.