A reason to be encouraged

[SWG9]

I see your point, but of all the NFC East teams, I can argue the Cowboys have actually been the least disappointing. If Dallas wins all the remaining games they "should" win (Giants, Raiders, Commanders, and Eagles), they'll win the division easily. And let's not just assume the Saints, Bears, and Packers games are all losses.

Are the Cowboys then a one and done playoff team? Probably, but it would beat missing the playoffs for a fourth year in a row.

Perfectly reasonable approach. I think you're slightly more sunshiny than I am, but I see your POV.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating another NFCE title, even in a down year. Heck, I'd pop champagne if the Boys won a playoff game, given the recent history of this franchise.

But Lombardi number six? Not this year, and not anytime soon I'm afraid.

 

[rcaldw]

And trending down by my point of view.

Trending down when we lose by 1 point in Detroit, in a game we SHOULD have had locked up, and came back to beat the Vikings the next week in what was a classic trap game? (the double whammy of coming off a gut wrenching defeat and an opponent that you are supposed to beat) I just don't share you guy's pessimism.

 

[jazzcat22]

the thing you are missing is that against all of those teams, even though we were right there, we found a way to lose every single game

we have not beaten a single good team so far

not one!!

in the playoffs we will need to beat teams of this caliber or better 4 consecutive weeks

none of this is particularly "encouraging" to me

So why did we find a way to lose the game...why isn't it the other team found a way to win the game?
Yes, because that what good teams do. But it's not the OP point. This is how teams on the "verge" get better, finding ways to win those games, but the losses still happen, only to learn and then win them down the stretch.

 

[Idgit]

No so sure "encouraged" is the right word

Exactly. No courage here at all.

 

[Corso]

I think it is. If we were (as a pattern, not just one game against the Vikings) barely beating the bad teams, and getting blown out by the better teams, then one could argue that our record is deceiving. What I see is that we can play with the better teams, and for the most part have exerted our will on the bad teams. Continue to improve and we aren't far away.

I can get with what your saying...

I won't be putting money on them if they get into the playoffs, but I won't necessarily be trumpeting "One and Done"... until it's Done.

 

[Corso]

Exactly. No courage here at all.

Kapow.

A One-Two to the face... And the champ goes down! The champ goes down!

 

[rcaldw]

I can get with what your saying...

I won't be putting money on them if they get into the playoffs, but I won't necessarily be trumpeting "One and Done"... until it's Done.

I agree with you. If we make the playoffs we are crazy to think one and done is all there will be. I know most will think I'm crazy, but I think if we get in we have as good a chance as anyone in the NFC. I'll promise you this right now, if the Cowboys make it they will not be #1 on the list of teams that the other teams want to play. They have too many weapons for that.

 

[mahoneybill]

Winning the Division with this D will be a great accomplishment. Making any type of noise in the playoffs will be something totally unexpected and greatly appreciated.

The positives of either scenario are we will have a good idea of who our depth players are going into next season, and hopefully address D & O lines as a priority

 

[Corso]

Winning the Division with this D will be a great accomplishment. Making any type of noise in the playoffs will be something totally unexpected and greatly appreciated.

The positives of either scenario are we will have a good idea of who our depth players are going into next season, and hopefully address D & O lines as a priority

I agree on all fronts.

Good show!

 

[crashintonickdm]

Did someone say romo is a shell of himself?

Lolol he's havin one of his best years

 

[big dog cowboy]

This team is so .500 it's not funny.

I get that.

And trending down by my point of view.

I don't get this at all.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

This is encouraging because, in games against sub .500 teams, the Cowboys have managed to put some distance between themselves and their opponents on the scoreboard. The Vikings' game was an aberration in that regard.

 

[mldardy]

And this is the real issue. This is the worst offence Dallas has fielded in years, and it's a catastrophically terrible defence. The two most important (and difficult to replace) players, Romo and Ware, look like shells of their former selves. Not to mention the cap difficulties next year (and spare me "it's no big deal" line; this team is severely flawed with no real hope of using FA to plug any holes)

I'm happy that the team has the inside track on the NFC East, and I fully expect them to win it. I'm just not under any illusions about the medium term future of this franchise.

Bottom line: I'm trying to enjoy whatever success the team has this year, because I have a feeling it could be a long time in the wilderness after 2013.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Besides the obvious (we are in 1st place and lead in some pretty significant tiebreakers) here is a quick breakdown of our results.

The combined record of the teams we have lost to: 25-8
The combined record of the teams we have beaten: 14-28

Now, one might argue (and rightfully so) that we have lost to every team .500 or above. But I would suggest a couple of things to remember.

a. Three of our four losses have come on the road (KC, San Diego, Detroit)
b. We have lost the four games by a COMBINED 14 points (-1 to 9-0 KC; -9 at 4-4 San Diego; -3 to 7-1 Denver; -1 to 5-3 Detroit)

One might also argue that we have won our games against teams with below .500 records (already acknowledged as true). But one thing should encourage us even as we consider that. Despite a lot of hubbub about only winning by 4 points against a 1-7 Vikings team (Seattle struggled with winless TB at home too by the way), the Cowboys have actually handled these bad teams pretty handily for the most part.

The 3-5 Giants +5
The 3-6 Rams +24
The 3-5 Commanders +15
The 4-5 Eagles +14

What I'm seeing is that we are beating the teams we SHOULD beat by a good margin this season. We have lost 4 games, 3 on the road, against very good teams, by a combined 14 points.

These results are what you would expect under Garrett.

16-1 against teams under .500
4-19 against teams over .500

Since Garrett was named the head coach, we have consistently beat the scrub teams and lost to the good teams. Considering we dont currently have a win against a team above .500, I would say the pattern is holding true this year as well.

 

[texbumthelife]

You know what OP, most of this has been said before but you did a really good job of breaking it down and I actually got a little boost of confidence reading it. Good post, mate!

 

[rcaldw]

These results are what you would expect under Garrett.

16-1 against teams under .500
4-19 against teams over .500

Since Garrett was named the head coach, we have consistently beat the scrub teams and lost to the good teams. Considering we dont currently have a win against a team above .500, I would say the pattern is holding true this year as well.

Now, if you could think of any other explanation for this besides Garrett, what might you come up with? Just try to think outside the box. For a moment, doubt yourself, pause to think about some other explanation than Garrett. What do you think? (I'll give you a hint... its called the need to improve your talent.... which is happening by the way)

 

[kramskoi]

I agree with you. If we make the playoffs we are crazy to think one and done is all there will be. I know most will think I'm crazy, but I think if we get in we have as good a chance as anyone in the NFC. I'll promise you this right now, if the Cowboys make it they will not be #1 on the list of teams that the other teams want to play. They have too many weapons for that.

They don't have as good a chance as anyone. The team is not the same on the road, and they will have to win many consecutive road games against teams with superior skill players to win it all. I am an optimistic realist, and a team on pace to rush for an anemic 1200 yards [maybe less if Sunday is an indication] and a defense that is struggling to contain less talent ladened teams is just not a viable long term bet. What dogs the Cowboys is the same thing that is pulling down the once vaunted New Orleans Saints...the same thing that has Tom Brady and Mike Tomlin on rants, namely the simple depletion of talent.

 

[iceberg]

the thing you are missing is that against all of those teams, even though we were right there, we found a way to lose every single game

we have not beaten a single good team so far

not one!!

in the playoffs we will need to beat teams of this caliber or better 4 consecutive weeks

none of this is particularly "encouraging" to me

then go post in the 99% eyore threads and let some of us try to enjoy what positives we can.

 

[tomsanders921]

Bottom line....

We don't want the division to come down to the last week with the winner take all again. There would be so much pressure on this team and i think they would fold once again. The eagles will blitz the heck out of romo and we have not shown an ability to beat the blitz yet.

 

[visionary]

then go post in the 99% eyore threads and let some of us try to enjoy what positives we can.

Awwww...
Wanna ask mommy if she can help?