Big picture established in next 5 games

[Blitzen]

Big matchups in the next 5 games. Two (SF and PHI) are supposed to tell the fans if Dallas has a great team or just an above average team.

LA Rams actually look much better, and San Diego at least seems capable of scoring lots of points. The Patriots seem the weakest matchup because of their abysmal offense. This next game seems even more important because of the following 4 games.

A great team puts this loss behind them and wins the next 5 games. An above average team goes at least 3-2. An average team goes 2-3. A poor team does worse.

 

[Aven8]

It’s a gauntlet no doubt. Have to get healthy on the Oline and figure out the Redzone stuff really quickly.

 

[Blitzen]

It’s a gauntlet no doubt. Have to get healthy on the Oline and figure out the Redzone stuff really quickly.

Yeah. These next five games will give a better picture of contender vs pretender potential. The Cowboys have lost games during great seasons. In 1992 the team lost to the eventually 6-10 Rams-then proceeded to win the Super Bowl.

These next 5 games will say a lot. 5-0 and they are widely regarded as contender material. 3-2 or 4-1 would be above average divisional round material. 2-3 would be average (.500 material). Anything less than that is a poor team.

I only determine true contenders vs pretenders AFTER the divisional round. I feel like any team that reaches the final four is a true contender, while every other team is just pretending if they made the playoffs.