3 Things that may put the Cowboys in the playoffs / 3 Things that may doom their chances.

[percyhoward]

You'd think it shouldn't be that difficult to rank among the league's top 20 teams in pass offense (rating), pass defense (rating), and rushing TD. But since 2006, the Cowboys have only been able to do it three times.

NFL Rank in Pass Offense, Pass Defense, Rushing TD (avg of the 3)
bold = top 20

2006 8th, 20th, 3rd (avg 10th)
2007 4th, 5th, 10th (avg 6th)
2008 13th, 20th, 22nd (avg 18th)
2009 6th, 16th, 15th (avg 12th)
2010 12th, 29th, 21st (avg 21st)
2011 4th, 25th, 30th (avg 20th)
2012 9th, 29th, 27th (avg 22nd)

It's not a coincidence that the three times we ranked in the top 20 in all three categories (2006, 2007, and 2009) were also the only times we made the playoffs.

Another way to look at it. Only 12 teams make the playoffs. When the average of those three rankings is 12th or better, we make the playoffs.

 

[jday]

Bone head penalties have cost this team a magnitude beyond anything Romo has done. The fact that you refuse to address that says a lot about you

See your avatar for my response.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Improved offensive line play
Improved Redzone play
Improved running game

Those three things right there would absolutely make this a playoff caliber team.

 

[Nirvana]

1. Stand-out play from the TE position namely Escobar in the red zone would make a huge stride towards the playoffs. Coming up short has been an issue and this is why we addressed this with Escobar.
2. Frederick, Waters, and Leary (along with Smith and Free for that matter) providing running lanes for big gains and push for making those 3rd and shorts etc.
3. Giving Romo time to throw with good pass protection, a healthy line, acquiring Waters, the TEs adding good blocking are keys.

1. Injuries
2. Giving up big plays due to poor coverage by the safeties (a usual problem for us)
3. Special teams mistakes like we saw with the Raiders

 

[Nirvana]

I agree but Sean Lee is the BEST player on Defense and that includes Ware. If he plays all 16 he will lead the league in tackles. He is the leader on Defense and is in on virtually every tackle. The guy is smart, fast, and a great tackler....

Uh, no.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

Uh, no.

UH, Yes...

 

[cowboys2233]

I am really high on Frederick. But in order to improve on last year and make noise in the playoffs both lines have to be much better, it all begins and ends in the trenches.

Yup, and they very definitely could be.

 

[cowboys2233]

UH, Yes...

It's a tough call, I see both sides of this debate. Can't they both be the very best at their respective positions? Ware is pure speed, power and bend, perfect for seeking and destroying QBs. Lee is incredibly quick in space, has great instincts and awareness and is a devastating tackler, perfect for a middle linebacker. Lee can't do what Ware does and vice versa.

 

[cowboys2233]

Agreed.

As much as I like Lee, I think Carter could step in and be almost as good. Dez or Romo are both completely irreplaceable.

Nope, Romo could get by without Dez. It would suck, but he could, if he is given more time by the offensive line. I think Lee is the heart and soul of our defense, he goes down, we're screwed. It's not just his play, it's his presence that makes the difference. He is just that guy. We could be a playoff team without Lee, but we can't win a SB without him. You need "that guy."

 

[jday]

Nope, Romo could get by without Dez. It would suck, but he could, if he is given more time by the offensive line. I think Lee is the heart and soul of our defense, he goes down, we're screwed. It's not just his play, it's his presence that makes the difference. He is just that guy. We could be a playoff team without Lee, but we can't win a SB without him. You need "that guy."

It is hard to debate that Lee is not the most important player on the defense. He is the leader. However, considering what is behind Ware should he get hurt vs. what is behind Lee should he get hurt, does muddy the waters of the debate a bit.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

3. Tony Romo. He really is like a box of chocolates. Given the experience he has gained in the NFL up to this point, I would like to think he is the 1 guy you don’t have to worry about. But let’s face it, he has made some boneheaded moves at QB. For the most part, I have defended him; but there have been things he has done that I honestly had no idea how to begin to defend. Many apologist point to the abysmal offensive line he has had. That’s a fair point. But not all of his errors have come at times during duress and duress is not always a viable excuse, especially for your veteran QB. What makes Romo great can also sometimes make him look like a rookie. He doesn’t know when to give up on some plays and just simply throw the ball away. Hopefully, this year, we will see Romo play smart, even if it means punting the ball away.

Win or lose.....this player will be the key leader--Period.

 

[cowboys2233]

It is hard to debate that Lee is not the most important player on the defense. He is the leader. However, considering what is behind Ware should he get hurt vs. what is behind Lee should he get hurt, does muddy the waters of the debate a bit.

True. I think I would like them both to stay healthy all season. With Ware AND Lee, this defense is cooking with gas.

 

[jday]

True. I think I would like them both to stay healthy all season. With Ware AND Lee, this defense is cooking with gas.

Agreed. I had to change my pants after that 1st series against the Raiders. If they can maintain that type of intensity for an entire game throughout the entire year, opposing offenses are going to have some serious issues against this defense.

 

[burmafrd]

See your avatar for my response.

when someone misses something so obvious as our penalty problem, it is hard to take that person seriously about anything else. In other words, you are willfully blind.
And someone willfully blind is not anyone worth listening to

 

[jday]

when someone misses something so obvious as our penalty problem, it is hard to take that person seriously about anything else. In other words, you are willfully blind.
And someone willfully blind is not anyone worth listening to

I actually feel a little bit better about my world knowing you won't be listening...

 

[Ashwynn]

I agree but Sean Lee is the BEST player on Defense and that includes Ware. If he plays all 16 he will lead the league in tackles. He is the leader on Defense and is in on virtually every tackle. The guy is smart, fast, and a great tackler....

If Lee played all 16, he could lead this team in INTs as well. Hes a bad man!

 

[jobberone]

Thanks for reading! I included Coaching because it is their responsibility to ensure they get the best performance out of every player possible. I'm not sure Jason has done that. Maybe with some, but not all. Being a walk-around coach now, though, should give him more of an opportunity to do just that.

I don't know that they have gotten the most out of some. I do believe he'll just have more time to be the CEO rather than try to spread himself too thin. I think the NFL is just so much more complicated now than say the Landry era.