Have the Cowboys improved enough to make the playoffs?

[75boyz]

Uberpuss took the hit for that dumpster fire of a roster that our GM gave him.

Exactly.

 

[shabazz]

Exactly.

And what seems difficult for some to process and accept is that both things can be true at the same time.

Worst defensive roster in the NFL

Ineffective Defensive Coordinator

 

[deerhunter11]

How many coaches aren’t on the hot seat after missing the playoffs their first two years?

Ol Jerry and Eberflus were the elephant in the room and the disaster that killed last season, Jimmy Johnson would have struggled to win with last season's pathetic defensive performance. Schottenheimer can't be on the hot seat. None of last season's failures is because of Brian Schottenheimer's coaching ability, the GM failed the head coach and this football team plain and simple.

 

[75boyz]

And what seems difficult for some to process and accept is that both things can be true at the same time.

Worst defensive roster in the NFL

Ineffective Defensive Coordinator

So how long of a honeymoon does Parker get if all his defensive picks aren't hall of fame level performers?

And secondly, is this season a total defensive developmental audition or is any draft pick not named Downs gonna show something?

 

[thunderpimp91]

Ol Jerry and Eberflus were the elephant in the room and the disaster that killed last season, Jimmy Johnson would have struggled to win with last season's pathetic defensive performance. Schottenheimer can't be on the hot seat. None of last season's failures is because of Brian Schottenheimer's coaching ability, the GM failed the head coach and this football team plain and simple.

I think there is some truth to that, but I also struggle to give Schottenheimer a full pass on the defense. He’s the HC, not the OC.

 

[BigD_95]

Going into 2026 we are facing potentially 3 consecutive losing seasons . Which hasn’t happened since the Campo era 5-11 futility in consecutive seasons.

This of course would have followed 3 consecutive 12 win playoff seasons. Amazing how far we’ve fallen. It’s already cost one HC, will it cost another.

Is Shotty on the hot seat? Would 2 consecutive losing seasons spur on another HC change ?

No doubt we’ve improved our defensive roster. And hopefully a first time DC scheme will compliment a big turnover on defensive roster. I like our chances of finishing above .500. Playoffs IDK.

But it will still all hinge on offense having as big of year as 2025. And keeping Dak healthy. We wasted a full healthy season last year. Defense just needs to be closer to average than worst. And this is all assuming the rest of division and NFC hasn’t improved as well .

Will there be 7 teams in NFC better. Could be. Sea, SF, LA, Det, GB, Chi and Phi I’d argue all go in as more likely to get in. 9 or 10 wins might not be enough. Should be interesting. But much riding on not having another losing and non playoff season.

playoffs? Im thinking Super Bowl

 

[StarBoyz83]

playoffs? Im thinking Super Bowl

Lol

 

[Fmart322]

Right now, imo, no.
3 reasons.
They still have a bad defense.
They have an unproven DC.
Any trade we made, like for Winters, hasn't proved they were worth it.
I think our draft picks were solid to very good but they haven't proved anything yet. Same with our new DC, it way to early to know if he's the right guy or is capable of running a defense.

Do I think Christian Parker is a step in the right direction, yes I do.
Do I think our draft picks will make our team better, again, yes I do.
Do I think our trades will make our team better, Winters, yes, the rest of them, I don't know.

I just think it's way to early to know.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

This.......I won't go this far but if they stay healthy, yeah, we can right there in the thick of things

 

[Hawkeye0202]

This isn't even the most important addition............that would be CP and HIS new staff

Three words........talent, leadership and culture

 

[Reid1boys]

There is absolutely NO WAY to know how these moves will translate to on the field results. Ask this question at the end if Sept.

 

[Cowfan75Lives]

The term "hot seat" is not a thing in Dallas, and fans should know this.
As far as playoffs, the Giants have probably passed us, but we are still better than the No Names. Probably 3rd best in the division. We probably hang around the rim again, but I don't expect playoffs.

 

[Reid1boys]

This.......I won't go this far but if they stay healthy, yeah, we can right there in the thick of things

I dont ever want to hear about how the fans are always saying it is our year. This is 100% a nedia thing as thye have nothing else to talk about.

When is the last time you saw a segment dedicated to the.......Bengals asking if the draft has improved them enough to make a SB run?

 

[deerhunter11]

And for being terrible at his job.

It was a combination of the GM's miserable failure to hire a competent defensive coordinator. Along with some poor players that were signed in free agency to play in said defense. The coaching job from the defensive coordinator was of middle school caliber or less, I just could not believe it when the outside corners and all pass defenders for that matter were playing 8 to 10 yards off the receivers on 3rd and 3 to 6. An easy Peezy short toss worked at an astonishing rate for first downs and this bad coach makes no adjustments. While numerous times, I am seeing defensive backs fail to even turn their heads and look for the ball. This guy didn't coach very much at all, is how it looks to me. On the outside looking in It appears that Ol Jerry may have pissed Eberflus off, and he coached poorly as a result, he showed little effort this was bush league and more. LOL, this year's defense should be good for an extra 5 wins. Combined with last season's starting offense still intact and playing with the right team chemistry. As well as Pickens not holding a grudge and giving 100 percent, even though big mouth narcistic toned Jr Jones is squalling to the roof tops no deal will be negotiated at all, we are not going to even try. This team has some negative elements in the front office, that other NFL teams do not have to overcome, but I think Dallas will become a team and end up 12 and 5 and win the NFC East. Better coaches and better players equals more wins.

 

[StarBoyz83]

I dont ever want to hear about how the fans are always saying it is our year. This is 100% a nedia thing as thye have nothing else to talk about.

When is the last time you saw a segment dedicated to the.......Bengals asking if the draft has improved them enough to make a SB run?

Fans are saying it all over like every offseason
And its beyond annoying.

 

[BoyzBlaster]

I think it's 50/50 and if we do we will just barely scrape into a WC spot but I'll go with No.

 

[fivetwos]

They may not win it all, but I want to at least be in the running. If you get beat at that point, fine.

Many of these recent teams were not at that level, despite 12 wins per.

 

[BoyzBlaster]

Probably not. The rest of the division also drafted well. The Eagles found more cap room for a high priced veteran (somehow), the Commanders addressed holes in the draft and will presumably have a healthier QB this year, and the Giants have brought in a lot of free agents and may have nailed their first round as well. So yes the Cowboys improved but so did the rest of the division and also the rest of the NFC is looking quite strong as well so a Wild Card spot will not be easy.

Good write up. A lot of promising you QBs in the NFC as well.

 

[Adreme]

Would you consider the 2026 Eagles better or worse than the 2025 team?

Probably about the same. They took steps to bolster their secondary. Unfortunately they have a solid front 7. Then it comes down to the offense which is a giant question of whether their OLine is healthy or not. Adding one 3rd round T for depth does not change that question.

 

[deerhunter11]

Would you consider the 2026 Eagles better or worse than the 2025 team?

The Eagles will fall off this year they will be worse as a team this season. They appear to have lost team chemistry; I look for Dallas to sweep Philadelphia this season. Caleb Downs will hit like Roy Williams and resemble Darren Woodson with his quality of overall play. The Eagles receivers will be spooked and taken out of their game, because of them getting mashed early and often. Caleb Downs will have this same effect on opposing offensive players throughout league. The results will be receivers developing a big case of alligator arms resulting in a bunch of drops, and fumbles and interceptions.