A realistic look at our playoff hopes

[CyberB0b]

to win out means winning 8 in a row and some of those are against very good teams and others against division rivals

that is a very high hill to climb

Yup. Not happening. The season could essentially be over this week.

 

[Jstopper]

Yes but it still has to play out just right…for example GB plays Chicago twice, if they split it screws us. We need one of them to lose both. Similarly Hawks, Rams, and SF play each other, we need someone to lose two and preferably drop 3 of their final games. We need quite a bit of help unfortunately plus we have to go on an absolute tear of a winning streak the likes of which we have almost never seen.

Thats not entirely true. GB already has 3 losses, if they split with Chicago that is 4 losses. At that point they can not lose a single other game. because if we both end at 11-5-1 we would have the conference record tiebreaker over them

 

[DUO_CORE]

I'll feel better if I can zero in on what happened to this "undefensable" offense against Arizona and Chicago. What is it that defensive coordinators do to make Dak revert back to "deer in the headlights" Dak?

 

[Tabascocat]

Thats not entirely true. GB already has 3 losses, if they split with Chicago that is 4 losses. At that point they can not lose a single other game. because if we both end at 11-5-1 we would have the conference record tiebreaker over them

Unfortunately, Green Bay has six wins in the conference. Dallas has three and the best they can do is seven conference wins. That means GB only needs one more win(with 3 left to play) to send it to common opponents.

 

[JoeKing]

There is no question the Cowboys have gone from embarrassingly bad to a potential playoff team in the last month. Our defense has gone from “cover your eyes” bad to above average - at least in the last 3 games. Our offense has been top shelf almost all year and looks more and more lethal as the season progresses.

In the midst of the understandable excitement of this team’s improvement, there remains certain realities this team faces about making the playoffs. With 5 games to play, here are the tough challenges in the Cowboys chances of making the playoffs:

• Currently, the Cowboys are 1.5 games behind the suddenly staggering egirls which makes the division still within reach unless the egirls regain their footing. It’s possible their fade continues but it’s also possible they recover. (They have the commanders twice in the next 5 games)
• The teams ahead of us in the wild card race in Week 13 - the rams, 49ers, panthers, seabags - all needed to lose and unfortunately they all won.
• In the wild card race, the challenge appears tougher than it might be winning the division.

Here are the Current NFC Playoff Standings:

1. Chicago Bears (9-3) NFC North Leader
2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3) NFC West Leader
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) NFC EastLeader
4. Tampa Bay Bucs (7-5) NFC South Leader
5. Seattle Seahawks (9-3) WC 1
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) WC 2
7. San Francisco 49ers (9-4) WC 3

At 6-5-1, the Cowboys are currently 2.5 games behind the three teams ahead of them in the wild card hunt. Not impossible but we are going to need at least one of those WC teams ahead of us to seriously fade.

All the Cowboys can do is win their remaining games and hope for some help. The margins with 5 games left are razor thin. This Thursday’s game vs the lions is obviously huge because Det at 7-5 is also fighting for a playoff spot.

As we head down the stretch for the last 5 games, what a fun ride lays ahead. The NFL is the most unpredictable league in pro sports so don’t look at any team’s schedule and predict wins and losses. Anything can happen.

We are closer to winning the division at 1.5 games behind the Eagles than we are getting a wild card seed at 2.5 games behind SF.

 

[Nav22]

We're not winning out and we're not making the playoffs.

Sorry, folks.

Our idiot owner decided to wait until we were 3-5-1 before taking defense seriously.

 

[Rockport]

We're not winning out and we're not making the playoffs.

Sorry, folks.

Our idiot owner decided to wait until we were 3-5-1 before taking defense seriously.

Bookmarked. Never give up.

 

[Acceptablename]

win against detroit and hope philly loses to Sd...then its on like donkey kong

Chargers have some personal problems but a great coach we'll see

 

[Acceptablename]

We're not winning out and we're not making the playoffs.

Sorry, folks.

Our idiot owner decided to wait until we were 3-5-1 before taking defense seriously.

That's not accurate He didn't have a dance partner till the trade deadline

 

[Jstopper]

We're not winning out and we're not making the playoffs.

Sorry, folks.

Our idiot owner decided to wait until we were 3-5-1 before taking defense seriously.

Not ready to throw in the towel. Been watching NFL way too long to say such a definitive statement with 5 weeks to go.

 

[Nav22]

That's not accurate He didn't have a dance partner till the trade deadline

He had a HOF pass rusher he chose not to pay, remember?

Packers defense is 6th in PPG allowed. Their record is 8-3-1.

 

[Nav22]

Not ready to throw in the towel. Been watching NFL way too long to say such a definitive statement with 5 weeks to go.

I'm playing the percentages. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[Acceptablename]

He had a HOF pass rusher he chose not to pay, remember?

Packers defense is 6th in PPG allowed. Their record is 8-3-1.

An what happened to our defense with the gained resources from the trade.

 

[Acceptablename]

He had a HOF pass rusher he chose not to pay, remember?

Packers defense is 6th in PPG allowed. Their record is 8-3-1.

We are a better team now. GB of course benefitted or they would not have made the trade. Again we're a better team for it. It seems clear to me

 

[stinkface]

I think San Diego will beat Philly. However, I think we loose to the Lions. I think we win out after that. Eagles will loose to Buffalo in addition to San Diego and win their other 3. If that happens Eagles have 11 wins and we have 10 and that's a wrap on the season.

PS. The only way we have a chance is to win them all and hope the Eagles loose 2. We would have 11 wins and 1 tie and 5 Losses. They would be 11 and 6.

Double PS. Philly plays the Commanders twice and I have to think they will win both games. The Raiders couldn't beat Ohio State.

 

[Diehardblues]

We are closer to winning the division at 1.5 games behind the Eagles than we are getting a wild card seed at 2.5 games behind SF.

Well, if you look at the remaining schedules of those teams ahead of us in WC they actually have a tougher remaining schedule than Egirls.

SF- Colts, Bears and Seahawks
Sea- Colts, Rams, Panthers & Car
GB- Bears twice, Den & Balt
Chi- Packers twice, 49ers & Lions

Much potential with these teams ahead of us for 2 or maybe even 3 losses

Egirls - just Chargers and Bills

I still like our chances of getting WC than Egirls losing 2 or 3 more.

And that’s assuming we win out. Not looking like 10-6-1 gets in. But it could as WC. It won’t win division.

 

[Stash]

to win out means winning 8 in a row and some of those are against very good teams and others against division rivals

that is a very high hill to climb

It definitely is.

We really dug a hole for ourselves to start the season.

 

[nhcowboysfan]

The 2008 patriots went 11-5 and didn’t make the playoffs. So it has happened in the last 17 years. Rare, but it has happened.

I believe that was also the year that Brady had a season-ending injury and the Patriots were still able to achieve that record with Matt Cassell.

 

[Diehardblues]

We are a better team now. GB of course benefitted or they would not have made the trade. Again we're a better team for it. It seems clear to me

We dont really know what we would have been with Parsons first half of season . But likely more than 3 wins .

And while Williams has made an impact we also must consider the other returning starters after Bye which would have also impacted with Parsons.

We still don’t have a pass rusher.

Imagine if we could have been 5-3-1 or maybe even 6-3 at the Bye with Parsons. That sets us up in much better position.

While we are no doubt a much better defense now with Williams . Dramatically better . We don’t know how much better we’d of been with Parsons and what those impacts would have been on record .

And we could have still made the trade at the Bye for Williams . Imagine Williams and Parsons on DL. Then we might have a real threat . But eventually lack of an edge rusher is going to haunt us.

 

[gtb1943]

1971 the Cowboys were 4-3
They won out, and went on to win the SB.

Yes much different time and team. But it happened.

That team had Roger at QB and six other HOF players
NO COMPARISON