By 4:25 Sunday

[Apollo Creed]

This team could suddenly control it's own destiny moving forward.

Crazy to think about considering we're missing 7 defensive starters, are fielding perhaps the worst offensive line in the NFL, and were 3-5 a little over a month ago.

This is today's NFL, it's a league of parity, built around keeping each market and fan base as active and relevant as long as possible. Certainly was about money but it's made football really fun to watch this time of year.

Great feeling to still be playing meaningful football this time of year.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

This team could suddenly control it's own destiny moving forward.

Crazy to think about considering we're missing 7 defensive starters, are fielding perhaps the worst offensive line in the NFL, and were 3-5 a little over a month ago.

This is today's NFL, it's a league of parity, built around keeping each market and fan base as active and relevant as long as possible. Certainly was about money but it's made football really fun to watch this time of year.

Great feeling to still be playing meaningful football this time of year.

agreed but cue the "we suck so we won't win in Washington so who cares"

 

[Risen Star]

The flip side of that is the quality of play is really bad. This Cowboys team wouldn't win 5 games in the 90s.

It's kind of a mixed bag for me. I miss the dynasty teams. The heavyweights slugging it out every year.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

The flip side of that is the quality of play is really bad. This Cowboys team wouldn't win 5 games in the 90s.

It's kind of a mixed bag for me. I miss the dynasty teams. The heavyweights slugging it out every year.

You might be right BUT the athletes of today are better than those in the 1990s and on size, speed and skill are likely better.

At this stage, all I care about is that they make the post season. What happens in January is just gravy.

 

[fifaguy]

The flip side of that is the quality of play is really bad. This Cowboys team wouldn't win 5 games in the 90s.

It's kind of a mixed bag for me. I miss the dynasty teams. The heavyweights slugging it out every year.

if we can somehow beat the steelers, i will start to like our chances. if we lose this game, i think that the party is over (for this year)...

 

[Fletch]

Most of you will hate what I'm about to say, but then I really don't give a **** either! Kudos to Jason Garrett and the staff for keeping this team together during such a tough year in more ways than one. And we're still playing for something.

 

[Apollo Creed]

The flip side of that is the quality of play is really bad. This Cowboys team wouldn't win 5 games in the 90s.

It's kind of a mixed bag for me. I miss the dynasty teams. The heavyweights slugging it out every year.

I loved seeing the dynasties go at it but looking at the bigger picture - back then there were 15-20 teams that you can practically eliminate before the season starts.

This way so many teams are still involved and relevant up until Thanksgiving, I think there was 10 teams in the NFC that were right around .500 for most of the year.

I'm torn on it, I know they're doing it because of the revenue but it's also keeping things really interesting down the stretch.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Most of you will hate what I'm about to say, but then I really don't give a **** either! Kudos to Jason Garrett and the staff for keeping this team together during such a tough year in more ways than one. And we're still playing for something.

That was my thought process.

If you woulda told me back in the summer that Dez would get locked up for hitting his mom, a player would kill a teammate via DUI, Jerry and Ratliff would get into a yelling match in the locker room, we'd lose 7 defensive starters, and be 3-5 half way through the season I probably wouldn't have bothered watching this year, yet here we are, still in the mix.

I love it, the 'realist' in me sees the holes, knows the Giant's reputation, and sees exactly how much of a threat Washington is - but knows that as long as Romo is healthy and we don't kill ourselves, we can play with almost anyone. Which is incredible considering we may have the worst offensive line in football. I'd almost take Alabama's line over ours right now.

 

[Shunpike]

I love parity. I love meaningful games in late December.

 

[TwoDeep3]

You might be right BUT the athletes of today are better than those in the 1990s and on size, speed and skill are likely better.

At this stage, all I care about is that they make the post season. What happens in January is just gravy.

Except that the league is watered down. Dallas is in a division that is clearly suspect this year. And the NFC isn't great shakes either.

Fact is the whole product is watered down.

The highlighted part would have gotten you laughed off a board like this in the 90's. No offense, but I don't remember a time in all the years I've been watching this team - except '60-'65 perhaps - that to just get to the play-offs was enough.

And for you young guys that have never experienced it, the pain of seasons like these are nothing compared to losing the NFC Championship game.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Except that the league is watered down. Dallas is in a division that is clearly suspect this year. And the NFC isn't great shakes either.

Fact is the whole product is watered down.

The highlighted part would have gotten you laughed off a board like this in the 90's. No offense, but I don't remember a time in all the years I've been watching this team - except '60-'65 perhaps - that to just get to the play-offs was enough.

And for you young guys that have never experienced it, the pain of seasons like these are nothing compared to losing the NFC Championship game.

Name one division that isn't watered down.

The East is on par or better than the rest of the league. They're a lot like the SEC, they beat up on each other and regardless of records and it's always a good game in the division regardless of the records.

 

[DenCWBY]

The flip side of that is the quality of play is really bad. This Cowboys team wouldn't win 5 games in the 90s.

It's kind of a mixed bag for me. I miss the dynasty teams. The heavyweights slugging it out every year.

Agree!! too much parity makes the NFL a dull boy. I'm not a Pat fan but I loved to watch them during their near perfect year.
They were rolling over teams and taking no prisoners which I loved about their play and mindset. They had the playoffs made but kept the starters on the field striving for perfection which was awesome.
I respect that though process and it was an awesome product to watch.

 

[Idgit]

Except that the league is watered down. Dallas is in a division that is clearly suspect this year. And the NFC isn't great shakes either.

Fact is the whole product is watered down.

The highlighted part would have gotten you laughed off a board like this in the 90's. No offense, but I don't remember a time in all the years I've been watching this team - except '60-'65 perhaps - that to just get to the play-offs was enough.

And for you young guys that have never experienced it, the pain of seasons like these are nothing compared to losing the NFC Championship game.

Our division was suspect last year. We heard the NFCLeast stuff coming back up for the first time in a couple of seasons. Oops.

Not that I think Dallas is a candidate for that sort of Cinderella-business. But I do think Garrett and the team have done as good a job as anybody in the division this year so far. As I always do, I challenge posters to name me a team that's done more with less in the NFCE.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Name one division that isn't watered down.

The East is on par or better than the rest of the league. They're a lot like the SEC, they beat up on each other and regardless of records and it's always a good game in the division regardless of the records.

That's my point, the game is watered down now.

But your contention the East is better is not supported.

 

[FiveRings]

I feel like the decrease in quality of play is sort of solely from this year.

Even last year there were four or five power houses (Packers,Pats,Ravens,Niners,Saints etc.) but the year even the good teams just aren't that good. That's why we're where we are and why the competition is so close, so late.

As for the dynasty thing, I can't say that's good either, that's how the NBA is now and it's slowly going to ruin it if it doesn't change.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

The flip side of that is the quality of play is really bad. This Cowboys team wouldn't win 5 games in the 90s.

It's kind of a mixed bag for me. I miss the dynasty teams. The heavyweights slugging it out every year.

I pretty much just watch the Cowboys now. Dont care much about the rest of the league because the games just arent that good if its not your team.

Like you I miss those really good games with really good teams slugging it out. Those Cowboy 49er games back in the 90's were great football. When the 2 teams played it was a quality of football that was far superior even at that time. There has been nothing like that for many years. Mostly a lot of bad football, and watching bad football is tolerable only if its your team.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Our division was suspect last year. We heard the NFCLeast stuff coming back up for the first time in a couple of seasons. Oops.

Not that I think Dallas is a candidate for that sort of Cinderella-business. But I do think Garrett and the team have done as good a job as anybody in the division this year so far. As I always do, I challenge posters to name me a team that's done more with less in the NFCE.

I disagree about Garrett.

And anecdotal examples are not empirical evidence.

1995 Dallas had not beaten San Fran since the 1993 NFC Championship game. Fact is San Fran manhandled Dallas

1994

Week 11 Nov 13 L 21-14 at San Francisco 49ers

Conference
Championship Jan 15 L 38-28 at San Francisco 49ers

1995

Week 11 Nov 12 L 38-20 vs San Francisco 49ers

Now one might make the case that Dallas could have beaten San Fran in the play-offs. But Dallas had been without Kevin Smith and had supplanted him with Larry Brown.

Fact is Steve Young and company would have torn Larry Brown a new one.

But, like the Giants last year, things fell into line and Dallas didn't play San Fran. Because Brett Favre and the Packers beat them in the previous round.

I subscribe to the anything can truly happen because the ball is pointy on each end.

What I do not underwrite is the notion using the Giants to suggest the east is still a powerhouse works out.

Parity has changed the league from a hand full of great teams to a bunch of middle of the road teams that look great one week and not so great the next.

And I do not see any team in this league over the last 14 years, including the Rams Greatest Show On Turf that would have stayed with the 1993 Cowboys.

And that is my point.

 

[Risen Star]

I would say Rat Face in Washington has done more with less this year. That roster is marginal. He's got a rookie QB. A rookie RB. His WRs are ordinary and his only quality TE was lost early with an injury. The defense is littered with holes and lost it's best pass rusher.

He deserves to nibble on some cheese. He's my coach of the year so far in this division.

 

[DejectedFan1996]

I disagree about Garrett.

And anecdotal examples are not empirical evidence.

1995 Dallas had not beaten San Fran since the 1993 NFC Championship game. Fact is San Fran manhandled Dallas

1994

Week 11 Nov 13 L 21-14 at San Francisco 49ers

Conference
Championship Jan 15 L 38-28 at San Francisco 49ers

1995

Week 11 Nov 12 L 38-20 vs San Francisco 49ers

Now one might make the case that Dallas could have beaten San Fran in the play-offs. But Dallas had been without Kevin Smith and had supplanted him with Larry Brown.

Fact is Steve Young and company would have torn Larry Brown a new one.

But, like the Giants last year, things fell into line and Dallas didn't play San Fran. Because Brett Favre and the Packers beat them in the previous round.

I subscribe to the anything can truly happen because the ball is pointy on each end.

What I do not underwrite is the notion using the Giants to suggest the east is still a powerhouse works out.

Parity has changed the league from a hand full of great teams to a bunch of middle of the road teams that look great one week and not so great the next.

And I do not see any team in this league over the last 14 years, including the Rams Greatest Show On Turf that would have stayed with the 1993 Cowboys.

And that is my point.

Mind you, that loss during the 1995 season was to Elvis Gurbac.

As die hard of a fan as I am, the Cowboys really dodged a bullet winning that SB in 1995 thanks to Greenbay getting rid of the 49ers for us. 49ers clearly had our number after Jimmy left.

 

[camelboy]

Maybe it was answered before but can someone tell me in a scenario where

Dallas wins against steelers and saints but loses to skins
Giants loses to falcons and ravens and wins against eagles

both teams finish 9-7 with same division record (3-3)

Who is top? (assume skins stink it up and finishes 8-8)