One interesting dynamic this year

Sydla · Jul 25, 2019

In 2015 and 2017, we were the team coming off the NFC East title the year before and much of the scrutiny and hype heading into those seasons was focused on the Cowboys.

But this year, as the division champs, other than local hype, most of the hype nationally is on Philly. Not that it's not exactly unwarranted, as if healthy, Philly should be pretty good.

But this team seems to play better when they are the afterthought, not the team being chased. There will still be some pressure on them, obviously, when you consider Garrett is on the last year of his deal, they may be paying Dak an elite contract, but the focus nationally seems to be on how great Philly is and just how we might be able to grab a WC spot if things go the right way.

Pompey-Cowboy · Jul 25, 2019

The element of surprise can be a powerful tool but I'm not sure we are seen as significantly worse than Philly. Either way, talent and good coaching will out.

Sydla · Jul 25, 2019

Pompey-Cowboy said:
The element of surprise can be a powerful tool but I'm not sure we are seen as significantly worse than Philly. Either way, talent and good coaching will out.

I don't know about "significantly" worse but there is little question that nationally the Eagles are more thought of than us. I live up here in the Philly area and the local radio stations have been parading some national "experts" through their shows and almost all have argued the Eagles are not only the best team in the division........ they might be the best team in the entire NFL. Some have given the Cowboys some credit when talking the division but it's clear the national perspective is the Eagles are the team to beat in the division.

Pants · Jul 25, 2019

I want to say "screw philly" but I REALLY can't stand Washington so "SCREW THE Commanders!!!!"

(that felt good, ol' Pantsy needed that)

Bobhaze · Jul 25, 2019

Sydla said:
In 2015 and 2017, we were the team coming off the NFC East title the year before and much of the scrutiny and hype heading into those seasons was focused on the Cowboys.

But this year, as the division champs, other than local hype, most of the hype nationally is on Philly. Not that it's not exactly unwarranted, as if healthy, Philly should be pretty good.

But this team seems to play better when they are the afterthought, not the team being chased. There will still be some pressure on them, obviously, when you consider Garrett is on the last year of his deal, they may be paying Dak an elite contract, but the focus nationally seems to be on how great Philly is and just how we might be able to grab a WC spot if things go the right way.

My take on this year is simple: There should be no excuse for the Cowboys not having a deep run this year. We have enough talent. The question remains in the coaching arena as Garrett has shown to be a decent regular season HC but has been mostly out-coached in the playoffs.

The playoffs are where this team and its HC should be measured. A non-playoff year or even a “one and done” failure to advance past the divisional round should be Garrett’s last stand. After 9 full seasons as HC, he has had plenty of time to show he’s capable of taking this team to heights beyond a wild card win. If this owner continues to look the other way or make excuses for his HC not advancing, how can this organization be taken seriously?

Pompey-Cowboy · Jul 25, 2019

Sydla said:
I don't know about "significantly" worse but there is little question that nationally the Eagles are more thought of than us. I live up here in the Philly area and the local radio stations have been parading some national "experts" through their shows and almost all have argued the Eagles are not only the best team in the division........ they might be the best team in the entire NFL. Some have given the Cowboys some credit when talking the division but it's clear the national perspective is the Eagles are the team to beat in the division.

My personal take is that we always slightly over rate our own and currently Philly are over rated by everybody.

CATCH17 · Jul 25, 2019

It's a win win year really.

If Dallas is terrible then fine. We may finally make some changes that the owner has refused to make for over a decade.

If Dallas is great then fine. Speaks for itself.

G2 · Jul 25, 2019

Reminds me when they called Philly "The Dream Team" when they went 8-8 in 2011, after going balls to the wall in Free Agency.

My take, in the NFL every season is a clean slate. There are no momentum carryovers from the season before and no one knows how good or bad a team or schedule will be until well into the season. But it's fun to speculate.

For some reason, Philly gets praised a lot.

HungryLion · Jul 25, 2019

Sydla said:
I don't know about "significantly" worse but there is little question that nationally the Eagles are more thought of than us. I live up here in the Philly area and the local radio stations have been parading some national "experts" through their shows and almost all have argued the Eagles are not only the best team in the division........ they might be the best team in the entire NFL. Some have given the Cowboys some credit when talking the division but it's clear the national perspective is the Eagles are the team to beat in the division.

True.

Although this happens a lot on Philly radio. Which is probably true for a lot of local
Coverage of teams in other cities too. When their team is good people make assumptions.

I distinctly remember before the 2014 season, guys on 97.5 the fanatic were actually talking about playoff positioning and what seed in the NFC the eagles would be, before game 1 was even played.

I suppose stuff like that is bound to happen especially on radio stations when guys have to come up with 20 hours a week of content even in the off season.

DJordan23 · Jul 25, 2019

Bobhaze said:
My take on this year is simple: There should be no excuse for the Cowboys not having a deep run this year. We have enough talent. The question remains in the coaching arena as Garrett has shown to be a decent regular season HC but has been mostly out-coached in the playoffs.

The playoffs are where this team and its HC should be measured. A non-playoff year or even a “one and done” failure to advance past the divisional round should be Garrett’s last stand. After 9 full seasons as HC, he has had plenty of time to show he’s capable of taking this team to heights beyond a wild card win. If this owner continues to look the other way or make excuses for his HC not advancing, how can this organization be taken seriously?

I believe this is why the Cowboys haven't addressed Garrett's contract extension just yet, and that's the smart play here for them. The roster is talented enough for a deep playoff run, and to not make the playoffs would definitely be unacceptable not by just us fans but I think the Cowboys as well. "Hot Seat" anyone?

cowboyschmps3 · Jul 25, 2019

Sydla said:
In 2015 and 2017, we were the team coming off the NFC East title the year before and much of the scrutiny and hype heading into those seasons was focused on the Cowboys.

But this year, as the division champs, other than local hype, most of the hype nationally is on Philly. Not that it's not exactly unwarranted, as if healthy, Philly should be pretty good.

But this team seems to play better when they are the afterthought, not the team being chased. There will still be some pressure on them, obviously, when you consider Garrett is on the last year of his deal, they may be paying Dak an elite contract, but the focus nationally seems to be on how great Philly is and just how we might be able to grab a WC spot if things go the right way.

Yes & I love it!

Sydla · Jul 25, 2019

DakPresgoat said:
True.

Although this happens a lot on Philly radio. Which is probably true for a lot of local
Coverage of teams in other cities too. When their team is good people make assumptions.

I distinctly remember before the 2014 season, guys on 97.5 the fanatic were actually talking about playoff positioning and what seed in the NFC the eagles would be, before game 1 was even played.

I suppose stuff like that is bound to happen especially on radio stations when guys have to come up with 20 hours a week of content even in the off season.

Sure, it might be true for when they bring on local analysts, but national analysts aren't beholden to Philly. I am not talking about the local hosts here being overly bullish on the Eagles. I am talking about national pundits who are guests on their shows. There is truly a wave from national pundits that the Eagles are the best team (or one of the 2-3 best teams) in the NFL.

Sydla · Jul 25, 2019

Streetwise said:
Reminds me when they called Philly "The Dream Team" when they went 8-8 in 2011, after going balls to the wall in Free Agency.

My take, in the NFL every season is a clean slate. There are no momentum carryovers from the season before and no one knows how good or bad a team or schedule will be until well into the season. But it's fun to speculate.

For some reason, Philly gets praised a lot.

I don't see much of a similarity. That 2011 team had a flawed roster that they tried to fix in one offseason through FA. This current Eagles team already had their core in place. 2011 was a desperate attempt by Philly to salvage their aging roster as Reid was running out of time.

That's not this Philly team. They are/were in much better shape heading into the 2019 FA period than that 2011 Philly team was.

Bobhaze · Jul 25, 2019

Sydla said:
I don't know about "significantly" worse but there is little question that nationally the Eagles are more thought of than us. I live up here in the Philly area and the local radio stations have been parading some national "experts" through their shows and almost all have argued the Eagles are not only the best team in the division........ they might be the best team in the entire NFL. Some have given the Cowboys some credit when talking the division but it's clear the national perspective is the Eagles are the team to beat in the division.

I hate to say this because I hate Filly, but the reason they are given more “respect” and hype going into this season is because they have had much more recent success in the playoffs than we have.

Going all the way back to 2000, the eaglets have won 14 playoff games, including winning two NFC championships and a Super Bowl. In this same time frame, our Cowboys have won 3 wild card games. No division playoff wins and no conference championship appearances.

Ultimately, respect is earned in the playoffs.

Bobhaze · Jul 25, 2019

DJordan23 said:
I believe this is why the Cowboys haven't addressed Garrett's contract extension just yet, and that's the smart play here for them. The roster is talented enough for a deep playoff run, and to not make the playoffs would definitely be unacceptable not by just us fans but I think the Cowboys as well. "Hot Seat" anyone?

Hope you’re right. That’s what “normal” owners would do.

Stash · Jul 25, 2019

Sydla said:
I don't know about "significantly" worse but there is little question that nationally the Eagles are more thought of than us. I live up here in the Philly area and the local radio stations have been parading some national "experts" through their shows and almost all have argued the Eagles are not only the best team in the division........ they might be the best team in the entire NFL. Some have given the Cowboys some credit when talking the division but it's clear the national perspective is the Eagles are the team to beat in the division.

I think your perception is being skewed by the area of the country you live in. I'm seeing a more 50-50 split between opinions on the Cowboys and Eagles.

Stash · Jul 25, 2019

Bobhaze said:
My take on this year is simple: There should be no excuse for the Cowboys not having a deep run this year. We have enough talent. The question remains in the coaching arena as Garrett has shown to be a decent regular season HC but has been mostly out-coached in the playoffs.

The playoffs are where this team and its HC should be measured. A non-playoff year or even a “one and done” failure to advance past the divisional round should be Garrett’s last stand. After 9 full seasons as HC, he has had plenty of time to show he’s capable of taking this team to heights beyond a wild card win. If this owner continues to look the other way or make excuses for his HC not advancing, how can this organization be taken seriously?

You've nailed it Bob.

The time for excuses for Garrett is over. Show you can win in the playoffs or we'll get someone who can.

Stash · Jul 25, 2019

Streetwise said:
Reminds me when they called Philly "The Dream Team" when they went 8-8 in 2011, after going balls to the wall in Free Agency.

My take, in the NFL every season is a clean slate. There are no momentum carryovers from the season before and no one knows how good or bad a team or schedule will be until well into the season. But it's fun to speculate.

For some reason, Philly gets praised a lot.

Two years from a world championship will do that for a team.

Sydla · Jul 25, 2019

stasheroo said:
I think your perception is being skewed by the area of the country you live in. I'm seeing a more 50-50 split between opinions on the Cowboys and Eagles.

Power rankings, major outlets like CBS Sports and ESPN and SI............. you'd be hard pressed to find roughly the same number of pundits saying the Cowboys are the elite class as much as Philly.

Diehardblues · Jul 25, 2019

Not sure why our expectations are so high when most aren’t picking us to win division?

Is there something we know that most of the expert analysts and handicappers don’t?

One interesting dynamic this year

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