Has there ever been a 11-1 team

[PJTHEDOORS]

All the issues I just described were still prevalent with those guys playing. Yeah they'll no doubt be better when everyone is back in the lineup, but this defense has serious issues that aren't going to just go away this season.

Scandrick just came back from injury that was his 1st game. Scandrick played his best game vs Minny last week. He is finally getting back to form. Claiborne will be back for the Bucs or Lion game. He'll be rusty but hopefully will be ready for the playoffs. And I'm pretty sure Wilcox wasn't playing his best at that time, then what he is doing now. So no, our secondary then isn't even close to what it will be once the playoffs start.

 

[WoodysGirl]

We got wayyyy more respect in '07 at the height of our season (12-1). People were penciling us in the SB along with the Pats...

You know what, I'm fine with being the underdogs, let them keep doubting

The 2007 team had legit talent on both sides of the ball. This team has flaws and unknowns, so expect the respect level to grow as they continue to achieve more and more.

 

[CATCH17]

Honestly, I think a case could be made for why every playoff team would get to the Super Bowl, or, conversely, why they wouldn't. With the defense we have, I can understand why there are doubters out there. Then again, every team is flawed. Personally, I like our chances.

Exactly..

Every team has holes.

We minimize our weakness as good as anyone because we don't allow a lot of points.

We shut down the run and all teams do is throw and they fizzle out in the redzone and kick field goals.

 

[LandryFan]

Don't have the pass rush. Our run d is good. Our secondary will be deeper when Claiborne returns.

Getting Claiborne back (to pre-injury form) is the key, IMO. He makes that back end a lot better, which gives the front a tick more to get to the QB. They need every tick they can get.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

All the issues I just described were still prevalent with those guys playing. Yeah they'll no doubt be better when everyone is back in the lineup, but this defense has serious issues that aren't going to just go away this season.

And we can say the same about every team with serious issues either on offense or defense or special teams.

 

[CATCH17]

"Defense wins championships"...that I know holds water every time.

19 PPG.. Defense...

Possessing the football... Defense.

 

[SDCowboy]

And we can say the same about every team with serious issues either on offense or defense or special teams.

You're right, but a defense that has those three deficiencies scares me more than most other issues would.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Any party who looks at our defense would NOT pick us to make the Super Bowl. I'm not saying we won't make it, we certainly can, but our team is just not well rounded.

Maybe so, but only FOUR teams in the entire league have given up fewer points than our defense. After 12 games, that it not a fluke. I'm in no way claiming our defense is elite or great, but it has been getting the job done where it counts most. Our dominant offense has certainly helped the defense, but it's not like that's going to change in the playoffs. In the end, scoring more points than your opponent in the playoffs is all that matters.

 

[CATCH17]

You're right, but a defense that has those three deficiencies scares me more than most other issues would.

What exactly are you worried is going to happen?

That some team is going to run off with the game on us?

We've allowed 1 team to score 30 points on us the entire year and it was on the road.

Our defense is built to not screw it up for our Offense and that is what we will do.

If we lose it will be because our offense got shut down and luckily most teams aren't built to stop what we do.

I've watched some of the best defenses in the league not hold with the game on the line this year. It's not a defensive league. The rules hinder defenses.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

You're right, but a defense that has those three deficiencies scares me more than most other issues would.

I'll take my chances with our secondary at full strength and our defense overall at full strength. Just have to get DLawrence/TCrawford/DIrving to wake up and show it in the playoffs. Some sort of consistent pass rush with a healthy secondary behind them.

 

[CATCH17]

Maybe so, but only FOUR teams in the entire league have given up fewer points than our defense. After 12 games, that it not a fluke. I'm in no way claiming our defense is elite or great, but it has been getting the job done where it counts most. Our dominant offense has certainly helped the defense, but it's not like that's going to change in the playoffs. In the end, scoring more points than your opponent in the playoffs is all that matters.

That has been their plan all along. They told us that when they drafted Zeke. It works.

Sacks, turnovers, and keeping yards low are great.. You know what is better? Keeping point totals low.

 

[lqmac1]

I've heard several radio guys who still don't think the Cowboys make it to the Super Bowl. Has there ever been any other team with a record like this not get a lot of respect?

Panthers last year were getting all sorts of disrespect

 

[Clove]

That 2007 team started out 12-1 and were top 10 in both offense and defense. They deserved consideration as the potential NFC team in the Superbowl.

I think this years 2016 club is getting plenty of respect, frankly, as well.

That 2007 team had a QB who put up 19 INTs, no dominant running threat.
The 2014 Cowboys didn't have HFA so we were forced to go to Green bay. This year with a 2 INT QB, a dominant running game, a defense that doesn't allow teams to score much, and HFA, I think we definitely have a chance.

 

[The Quest for Six]

19 PPG.. Defense...

Possessing the football... Defense.

How was the time of possession of the Football last Thursday night against a team with no running game, kind of like the one Dallas faces again Sunday in New York but with a better QB and a better receiving core ..Dallas is nowhere near a top defense.....

Last two games should be alarming

 

[rwalters31]

I've heard several radio guys who still don't think the Cowboys make it to the Super Bowl. Has there ever been any other team with a record like this not get a lot of respect?

No one believes in the defense. A lot of fans have seen successful offenses wilt in the playoffs when they don't have a great defense. This is a show me attitude until the defense demonstrates they can stop playoff teams or win the SB. Remember that defense wins championships and fans have seen very good records go down on their first playoff game (see Cowboys 13-3).

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

How was the time of possession of the Football last Thursday night against a team with no running game, kind of like the one Dallas faces again Sunday in New York but with a better QB and a better receiving core ..Dallas is nowhere near a top defense.....

Penalties killed our time of possession in that game early on. We will never be a top pass rush defense. Our secondary will be with Claiborne back (for Bucs or Lions) and hopefully healthy for the playoffs.

 

[CATCH17]

How was the time of possession of the Football last Thursday night against a team with no running game, kind of like the one Dallas faces again Sunday in New York but with a better QB and a better receiving core ..Dallas is nowhere near a top defense.....

It's not a top defense and doesn't need to be because the NFL defenses are not built to stop an explosive run game. In turn we possess the ball and you can't score without the ball.. 19 PPG because of it.


If you're telling me that you don't want them on the field with the game on the line I would agree but I would say that about any NFL defense because this is not a defensive league. NFL defenses suck.

The Broncos are really good. The Vikings is good as well.

Seattle has shown they can be run on. Not good if you play us. They just lost Earl Thomas too.


I don't get what you guys are so worried about. It's not a big deal because all of these teams have giant holes on their team. Our hole is minimized greatly because we impose our will on the ground and our defense doesn't allow a lot of TD's.

 

[dogunwo]

14-2 Atlanta Falcons - failed in the Super Bowl to a has been in John Elway.

15-1 Minnesota Vikings - fell to Atlanta in NFC Championship game.

I think John Elway was still a very good starter at the end of his career, he just couldn't do it himself. Surely much better than Peyton Mannining was at the end of his career.

 

[hornitosmonster]

"Defense wins championships"...that I know holds water every time.

Ask Arizona how that defense is doing for them. The only "Championship" defense in this year playoffs might be the Denver Broncos and it is doubtful they can make it to the Superbowl. Seattle took a huge hit by losing Earl Thomas

 

[mrmojo]

The Chargers under Marty use to have impressive regular season records and falter in the playoffs. A lot of media downplayed their regular seasons because of this.