20 Questions: How do the Cowboys Stack Up Against the NFCE

[Aerolithe_Lion]

I think Dallas wins the east, Giants follow closely behind. Eagles may end up being in last place.

I like this one

 

[Stash]

I like this one

Are you down on your team this year?

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Are you down on your team this year?

No, out of irony. I think we win it easy again this year, but there are many unknowns that could swing everything

 

[Stash]

No, out of irony. I think we win it easy again this year, but there are many unknowns that could swing everything

Gotcha.

I think you’ve come back to the pack.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Gotcha.

I think you’ve come back to the pack.

I think Dallas is absolutely better this year. But people seem to be forgetting that last year was a disaster season for Philly. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. And our rock bottom record was 11-6. Really think about that. Someone mentioned Dallas almost swept Philly; yeah and even if you did we still win the division by 3 games. We improved in the offseason too, and if we fix anything we should be right back in the 12-14 win range, which is slightly out of Dallas’ reach for another 1-2 years.

 

[Stash]

I think Dallas is absolutely better this year. But people seem to be forgetting that last year was a disaster season for Philly. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. And our rock bottom record was 11-6. Really think about that.

I’m interested to hear how ‘everything went wrong’ last year?

Someone mentioned Dallas almost swept Philly; yeah and even if you did we still win the division by 3 games.

And Dallas did that with one of their worst defenses in franchise history. And you conceded yourself that they’re better this year.

We improved in the offseason too,

How is trading away your best receiver ‘improved’?

and if we fix anything we should be right back in the 12-14 win range, which is slightly out of Dallas’ reach for another 1-2 years.

You chased away the coach responsible for your offensive line.

You have yet another new offensive coordinator.

And you lost the coach responsible for Mitchell and DeJean to us.

I see a lot of losses in Philadelphia.

 

[LouBrown]

I think Dallas is absolutely better this year. But people seem to be forgetting that last year was a disaster season for Philly. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. And our rock bottom record was 11-6. Really think about that. Someone mentioned Dallas almost swept Philly; yeah and even if you did we still win the division by 3 games. We improved in the offseason too, and if we fix anything we should be right back in the 12-14 win range, which is slightly out of Dallas’ reach for another 1-2 years.

The idea that Philly got better this offseason is hilarious. They lost their most important offensive player and haven't improved a single position group, just signed a bunch of names.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

I’m interested to hear how ‘everything went wrong’ last year?


And Dallas did that with one of their worst defenses in franchise history. And you conceded yourself that they’re better this year.


How is trading away your best receiver ‘improved’?


You chased away the coach responsible for your offensive line.

You have yet another new offensive coordinator.

And you lost the coach responsible for Mitchell and DeJean to us.

I see a lot of losses in Philadelphia.

Yes Dallas is better. But are they 5 games better? That is a lot to ask. If they go 10-7 this year I don’t think you’re within a game of Philly barring injury.

Philadelphia set or nearly set NFL records in 3-and-out rates, single year dropoff in yards per carry, rush yards per game, and Oline win rate. Our normally super reliable kicker had his worst FG% rate of his career. AJ Brown fell off hard, Jalen Carter was injured, Nakobe Dean missed half the season, Andrew Mukuba missed half the season, Adoree Jackson had to play all year and was not good, and our Oline completely fell apart due to injuries. And still we went 11-6.

Did you know Devonta Smith was our leading receiver last year? We traded away 2025 AJ Brown, not 2022. He barely made it to 1000 yards in 15 games. We haven’t had superstar AJ Brown for 2-3 years now. It doesn’t make as fun a narrative, but he was dogging routes, dropping passes (particularly in the playoff game), and couldn’t get separation even in 1-on-1’s. Maybe it was vibes & scheme and he goes and gets 1400 yards in NE, but that’s not the player we traded away. Think of it this way: we’re not asking Makai Lemon and Wicks to replace George Pickens production, we’re asking them to replace Michael Gallup production. Is that a huge ask? If they both give us 5-600 yards, that’s not much, but they will flat out eclipse what AJ gave us last year or the SB year if they did that. Still went 11-6.

The OC is the unknown I was talking about. We both have first time coordinators who could be boom or bust. I know you remember how pumped people were that Eberflus was gonna totally revamp the defense, and before him how Zimmer was gonna add grit and accountability that Quinn never did. And now it’s a guy who’s never made a defense-wide midgame adjustment in his life. Mannion is in the same boat, but both guys fall in the same category: even if they disappoint, it’ll probably still be way better than last year.

The coach responsible for Mitchell and Dejean is still in our coach’s box. Did Dak collapse after his QB coach left? Of course not. Would CeeDee be a Home Depot employee if… checks notes… Adam Henry decided not to accept the job? Parker helped, and I’m not trying to downplay that, but Mitchell and Dejean are 1st team all-pros because they were the 2 best DBs in the draft and they play for Fangio.

 

[Stash]

Yes Dallas is better. But are they 5 games better? That is a lot to ask.

Is it? I think we both know that their atrocious defense was their undoing last year. That won’t be the case this year.

If they go 10-7 this year I don’t think you’re within a game of Philly barring injury.

I don’t think Philadelphia is as good as in years past. They’ve come back to the pack.

Philadelphia set or nearly set NFL records in 3-and-out rates, single year dropoff in yards per carry, rush yards per game, and Oline win rate.

And what’s happened to make that better?

Losing your offensive line coach?

Trading away your best receiver?

Our normally super reliable kicker had his worst FG% rate of his career. AJ Brown fell off hard, Jalen Carter was injured, Nakobe Dean missed half the season, Andrew Mukuba missed half the season, Adoree Jackson had to play all year and was not good, and our Oline completely fell apart due to injuries. And still we went 11-6.

In arguably the worst division in football. What was happening to the rest of the division?

The NFC East was the biggest layup in the league. And what happened as soon as our fraud representative team made the playoffs? Embarrassed and out. And that would have happened no matter who came out of the division. Collectively we weren’t good.

Did you know Devonta Smith was our leading receiver last year? We traded away 2025 AJ Brown, not 2022. He barely made it to 1000 yards in 15 games. We haven’t had superstar AJ Brown for 2-3 years now. It doesn’t make as fun a narrative, but he was dogging routes, dropping passes (particularly in the playoff game), and couldn’t get separation even in 1-on-1’s. Maybe it was vibes & scheme and he goes and gets 1400 yards in NE, but that’s not the player we traded away.

Maybe it was the quarterback as the rest of the world thinks?

We’ll soon find out.

Think of it this way: we’re not asking Makai Lemon and Wicks to replace George Pickens production, we’re asking them to replace Michael Gallup production. Is that a huge ask? If they both give us 5-600 yards, that’s not much, but they will flat out eclipse what AJ gave us last year or the SB year if they did that. Still went 11-6.

A lot of wishful thinking here in an effort to make you feel better.

The OC is the unknown I was talking about. We both have first time coordinators who could be boom or bust. I know you remember how pumped people were that Eberflus was gonna totally revamp the defense, and before him how Zimmer was gonna add grit and accountability that Quinn never did. And now it’s a guy who’s never made a defense-wide midgame adjustment in his life. Mannion is in the same boat, but both guys fall in the same category: even if they disappoint, it’ll probably still be way better than last year.

Maybe. But I don’t know the multi-time Pro Bowlers that Mannion has coached in multiple locations.

The coach responsible for Mitchell and Dejean is still in our coach’s box.

Who’s that?

Did Dak collapse after his QB coach left? Of course not. Would CeeDee be a Home Depot employee if… checks notes… Adam Henry decided not to accept the job? Parker helped, and I’m not trying to downplay that, but Mitchell and Dejean are 1st team all-pros because they were the 2 best DBs in the draft and they play for Fangio.

More wishful thinking on your part.

You’d like to discount Parker so you can feel better.

It sure reads like you’re trying to downplay that.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Is it? I think we both know that their atrocious defense was their undoing last year. That won’t be the case this year.


I don’t think Philadelphia is as good as in years past. They’ve come back to the pack.


And what’s happened to make that better?

Losing your offensive line coach?

Trading away your best receiver?


In arguably the worst division in football. What was happening to the rest of the division?

The NFC East was the biggest layup in the league. And what happened as soon as our fraud representative team made the playoffs? Embarrassed and out. And that would have happened no matter who came out of the division. Collectively we weren’t good.


Maybe it was the quarterback as the rest of the world thinks?

We’ll soon find out.


A lot of wishful thinking here in an effort to make you feel better.


Maybe. But I don’t know the multi-time Pro Bowlers that Mannion has coached in multiple locations.


Who’s that?


More wishful thinking on your part.

You’d like to discount Parker so you can feel better.

It sure reads like you’re trying to downplay that.

That’s the same QB who gave AJ the best years of his career. Relative to 2026, it’s also the same QB who’s led us to 11+ win seasons for 4 consecutive years. That is not what changed in 2025. Devonta wasn’t affected at all; AJ just wasn’t our best receiver anymore.

Philly had layup wins in the division yes, but why is that different in 2026? Who are all these players that fixed Washington? They might actually be worse. New York is heavily dependent on their young QB taking a massive leap and overcoming the offensive skill position players who are coming off major injuries. Reality is those two team probably won’t change a whole lot. Remember Harbaugh is only in NY because he sucked so bad in BAL he got fired. Reality is a 6-10 season would be a huge step in the right direction for NYG.

Dallas’ defense last year was bad, yes, but Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams were on that awful defense. They aren’t exactly additions. Maybe an offseason on the team will help yeah, but now you’re going into 2026 where overwhelming your best DB is a rookie. Can you name a single good pass defense in NFL history where their far and away best DB was a rookie safety? Caleb might be the best defensive player in the division in a short amount of time, I won’t dismiss the possibility…. but will it be in September of his rookie year? No. That didn’t happen with Ed Reed or Brian Dawkins or Kyle Hamilton or Steve Atwater or Troy Polamalu… is Caleb really THAT much better than those players? Has a good oass defense even not had a pass rush let get 8 sacks? Maybe Quinnen or Gary does, but it would be a bit of a surprise. That’s what I mean when I said you’re still probably a couple years away.

You will be improved, but there are strong variables with your coordinator and talent on D that can sway it. Will your 2025 offense and the 24th best defense get you 10 wins? maybe, maybe not. Probably has to be better than that. Will the 18th best defense get you 12 wins? It’s a tough ask. I think you’re gonna need to be top 15 to go that far with your schedule

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

@Stash and if it does end up close, you guys got the short end of the stick on scheduling.

Bears Steelers Panthers for first place

Packers Ravens Bucs for second place

That could decide it

 

[Stash]

That’s the same QB who gave AJ the best years of his career. Relative to 2026, it’s also the same QB who’s led us to 11+ win seasons for 4 consecutive years. That is not what changed in 2025. Devonta wasn’t affected at all; AJ just wasn’t our best receiver anymore.

As I said, we’re going to find out really soon if as you said AJ Brown has suddenly lost it. Or if Hurts made him.

Philly had layup wins in the division yes, but why is that different in 2026? Who are all these players that fixed Washington? They might actually be worse. New York is heavily dependent on their young QB taking a massive leap and overcoming the offensive skill position players who are coming off major injuries. Reality is those two team probably won’t change a whole lot. Remember Harbaugh is only in NY because he sucked so bad in BAL he got fired. Reality is a 6-10 season would be a huge step in the right direction for NYG.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but even in a down year for the division, you still managed to lose at least one game to all of them.

That’s with both Washington and New York being decimated by injuries.

Dallas’ defense last year was bad, yes, but Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams were on that awful defense. They aren’t exactly additions.

No, but they’re both proven Pro Bowlers. I anticipate substantial improvement in an actual competent scheme.

Maybe an offseason on the team will help yeah, but now you’re going into 2026 where overwhelming your best DB is a rookie. Can you name a single good pass defense in NFL history where their far and away best DB was a rookie safety?

How many years did it take Parker to fix your secondary?

Caleb might be the best defensive player in the division in a short amount of time, I won’t dismiss the possibility…. but will it be in September of his rookie year? No. That didn’t happen with Ed Reed or Brian Dawkins or Kyle Hamilton or Steve Atwater or Troy Polamalu… is Caleb really THAT much better than those players? Has a good oass defense even not had a pass rush let get 8 sacks? Maybe Quinnen or Gary does, but it would be a bit of a surprise. That’s what I mean when I said you’re still probably a couple years away.

Yes. Yours. Your leading sack guy had just 6.5 last year.

You will be improved, but there are strong variables with your coordinator and talent on D that can sway it. Will your 2025 offense and the 24th best defense get you 10 wins? maybe, maybe not. Probably has to be better than that. Will the 18th best defense get you 12 wins? It’s a tough ask. I think you’re gonna need to be top 15 to go that far with your schedule

If the offense can perform to their 2025 level, I think even the 18th best defense will be enough to win the division.

They were that bad last year that even moderate improvement would make a huge difference.

 

[Stash]

@Stash and if it does end up close, you guys got the short end of the stick on scheduling.

Bears Steelers Panthers for first place

Packers Ravens Bucs for second place

That could decide it

I actually like that difference.

I’d argue that at least the Bears and Panthers are ascending teams vs the Packers, Ravens, and possibly the Bucs which I would argue all got worse from last year.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

As I said, we’re going to find out really soon if as you said AJ Brown has suddenly lost it. Or if Hurts made him.


Correct me if I’m wrong, but even in a down year for the division, you still managed to lose at least one game to all of them.

That’s with both Washington and New York being decimated by injuries.


No, but they’re both proven Pro Bowlers. I anticipate substantial improvement in an actual competent scheme.


How many years did it take Parker to fix your secondary?


Yes. Yours. Your leading sack guy had just 6.5 last year.


If the offense can perform to their 2025 level, I think even the 18th best defense will be enough to win the division.

They were that bad last year that even moderate improvement would make a huge difference.

I think we swept WAS, don’t immediately recall. But again, still won the division 4 games with those losses. Divisional games are important but not worth more than the other games aside from tie breaker scenarios.

Your prediction of Dallas winning the division with the 18th best defense is heavily predicated on assuming Philly will take a big step back. We had a Super Bowl secondary long before Christian Parker, and we’re the underdog in 4 games all year. One of which is a Rams team that our coach/QB combo seems to own. We’re not losing 8+ games, and there isn’t anything that implies we may beyond just blind hope from the opposition.

 

[StarOfGlory]

It's still us and Philly.

If anything, Philly's offense takes a step back unless their new OC can incorporate a rookie WR quickly into the fold. Smith also must take on the role of a true #1 WR, but he is probably talented enough to do so. I will assume Philly's o-line will be healthier than last year, so Saquan probably can get to 1400 yards on the ground. But Hurts must become the Hurts of 2024.

The defense may be better though. They lost Dean and his 9 games a year played but did sign Greenard. They also swapped out Adoree "Toast" Jackson for Riq Woolen, which is an upgrade anyway you look at it. Theor only real weak spot is safety, and they are at least average there.

Giants and Washington have, IMO, a seven-win ceiling.

 

[Stash]

I think we swept WAS, don’t immediately recall. But again, still won the division 4 games with those losses. Divisional games are important but not worth more than the other games aside from tie breaker scenarios.

Your prediction of Dallas winning the division with the 18th best defense is heavily predicated on assuming Philly will take a big step back.

Yep. That’s what it looks like.

We had a Super Bowl secondary long before Christian Parker, and we’re the underdog in 4 games all year.

They finished 30th in the league in passing yards allowed the year before Parker got there.

One of which is a Rams team that our coach/QB combo seems to own. We’re not losing 8+ games, and there isn’t anything that implies we may beyond just blind hope from the opposition.

More like blind hope from you.

You’ve been wrong time and time again in this conversation.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Yep. That’s what it looks like.


They finished 30th in the league in passing yards allowed the year before Parker got there.


More like blind hope from you.

You’ve been wrong time and time again in this conversation.

Wrong about what? We’re talking about 2026 predictions. I didnt say out pass D was great in 2023, I said we were fielding great pass D’s before he ever got here. 2023 was about personnel issues like you have now. We can bring up the best corners in their drafts and how his claim to fame is he didn’t ruin Surtain and Mitchell, but should we bring up all the veteran corners who were the same or worse with Parker? Or do we not count that?

Who was the LB coach for Dallas in 2021? He took Micah Parsons and turned him into a HoF pass rusher. Why isn’t he the D Coordinator? Clearly his greatness knows no bounds. Who was Brady’s QB coach in 2001? Who was Chase’s WR coach in 2021? Who was Zach Bain’s lb coach in 2024? Nobody knows, nobody cares. No one attributes credit to position coaches like that unless it fits whatever narrative they’re trying to claim like here. He helps them follow the path to fit in the defense, but that’s doesn’t mean they wouldn’t have been good without him nor does it mean they won’t be good after him. Parker got that D coordinator job because he killed it in the interviews and Jerry projects he has a good system and will run it well. Whether or not Parker couldn’t do anything with Adoree Jackson than the last guy has little to do with that.

 

[Stash]

Wrong about what?

You name it.

You claimed a good secondary needed a high sack guy when your top guy had 6.5!

Oops! Wrong!

You claimed that you swept Washington. Wrong again!

In your desperation to feel better, you’ve been wrong multiple times.

We’re talking about 2026 predictions. I didnt say out pass D was great in 2023, I said we were fielding great pass D’s before he ever got here. 2023 was about personnel issues like you have now.

2023 is the year before he got there. When they were 30th.

We can bring up the best corners in their drafts and how his claim to fame is he didn’t ruin Surtain and Mitchell, but should we bring up all the veteran corners who were the same or worse with Parker? Or do we not count that?

Can we count DeJean? How about Ja’Quan McMillian?

The things you’ll tell yourself so you can feel better.

Who was the LB coach for Dallas in 2021? He took Micah Parsons and turned him into a HoF pass rusher. Why isn’t he the D Coordinator? Clearly his greatness knows no bounds. Who was Brady’s QB coach in 2001? Who was Chase’s WR coach in 2021? Who was Zach Bain’s lb coach in 2024? Nobody knows, nobody cares. No one attributes credit to position coaches like that unless it fits whatever narrative they’re trying to claim like here. He helps them follow the path to fit in the defense, but that’s doesn’t mean they wouldn’t have been good without him nor does it mean they won’t be good after him. Parker got that D coordinator job because he killed it in the interviews and Jerry projects he has a good system and will run it well. Whether or not Parker did worse with Adoree Jackson than the last guy has little to do with that.

Parker got the job because he’s a great coach. The same reason why Fangio hired him in Denver. Why Payton kept him when he got there. And the reason why Fangio brought him to Philadelphia. Because he’s a great coach.

But you try to minimize him because he left. It’s painfully clear.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

You name it.

You claimed a good secondary needed a high sack guy when your top guy had 6.5!

Oops! Wrong!

You claimed that you swept Washington. Wrong again!

In your desperation to feel better, you’ve been wrong multiple times.


2023 is the year before he got there. When they were 30th.


Can we count DeJean? How about Ja’Quan McMillian?

The things you’ll tell yourself so you can feel better.


Parker got the job because he’s a great coach. The same reason why Fangio hired him in Denver. Why Payton kept him when he got there. And the reason why Fangio brought him to Philadelphia. Because he’s a great coach.

But you try to minimize him because he left. It’s painfully clear.

He is a very good coach yes, I’m not disputing that. I’m disputing “he’s responsible for Mitchell and Dejean”. No he’s not, no position coach has that much power. He helped them yes, but responsible is a silly term to use. I never said a good secondary needs a high sack guy, I said a good pass defense. You’re right, we had one without it, but it’s not common.

Desperation to feel better about what? No point you’ve made has any real validity to Philly’s 2026 outcome. AJ was not our best receiver last year. Parker is not “responsible” for top tier players we drafted. Jalen Hurts is the exact same guy who was getting Devonta and AJ all their 1000 yard seasons.

It’s like that time you claimed Jaelen Phillips couldn’t get 20million a year in free agency despite me citing worse players who did. You had nothing substantial to base it on, you just really really didn’t want Philly to get that third round pick. Well guess what.

 

[Stash]

He is a very good coach yes, I’m not disputing that. I’m disputing “he’s responsible for Mitchell and Dejean”. No he’s not, no position coach has that much power. He helped them yes, but responsible is a silly term to use.

Does it hurt your feelings?

Fact is that he’s done it with multiple players in multiple places. Not chance. Not coincidental. It’s him.

I never said a good secondary needs a high sack guy, I said a good pass defense. You’re right, we had one without it, but it’s not common.

So you were wrong. Like I said.

Desperation to feel better about what? No point you’ve made has any real validity to Philly’s 2026 outcome. AJ was not our best receiver last year. Parker is not “responsible” for top tier players we drafted. Jalen Hurts is the exact same guy who was getting Devonta and AJ all their 1000 yard seasons.

Are you stomping your feet while you type?

It’s like that time you claimed Jaelen Phillips couldn’t get 20million a year in free agency despite me citing worse players who did. You had nothing substantial to base it on, you just really really didn’t want Philly to get that third round pick. Well guess what.

Ok. There’s one you were right about.