Can Big Mac change our history in Week 17 games?

[Bobhaze]

This is not win and you are in. If WFT wins they are in....but we have to win to have a chance

Right. This is what I said in the OP...”Hopefully we win in NY and the egirls find a way to win against the WFT.”

 

[Brax]

The Cowboys have faced a week 17 “must win to get in” challenge several times in the Jones years.

• In fact, 4 times in the last 10 years, they have gone into the final 2 weeks of the season needing to beat an NFC East opponent to win the division.
• All 4 times in the last 10 years, with the division and playoffs on the line, Dallas has lost. It happened in 2011, 2012, 2013, and last year in 2019.

Amazingly, the 1993 Cowboys, coached by Jimmy were the last Cowboys team to win the division in Week 17, defeating the Giants 16-13 in that great overtime game where Emmitt was a hero. There have been other division winners over the years of course, but it’s been 27 years since a Cowboys team won the division on the last game of the year against a division rival. That’s a baffling stat.

On the good side of history are the teams Mike McCarthy has coached in Week 17 since his days at GB. Big Mac has had a good record of winning this time of year. Here’s some evidence:

• Dallas’ current three-game winning streak has improved McCarthy’s record to 42-19 in regular-season games played in December and January.
• MM teams have been even better in Week 17. His Pack teams went 9-3 in the final week of the season, including a 3-1 mark with the division on the line.

So will recent history be repeated? Or will Big Mac find a way to reverse fortunes? Hopefully we win in NY and the egirls find a way to win against the WFT. In late Nov, who would have ever thought this opportunity was possible?

Let’s be honest. The Dallas Cowboys are not a very good football team. But they have had the good fortune of being in a terrible division and a favorable schedule down the stretch. To their credit, this team has continued to improve. Sunday night, we will know how much this team has improved.

It only matters when you control your fate not depending on other teams. Lets be honest this is a bad team playing bad teams. The coaching has been terrible this year. So the goal now is eking into the play offs, that's really sad. MM has proven zero this year except his ability to smash watermelons for his desert.

 

[Bobhaze]

Does the amount of beer a fan drinks help our playoff chances? Asking for a friend

Four out of five Dr’s who cover sports say yes, it does help.

Hey, Bob. Now that you're staff here maybe lighten up on the hate.

Now that I’m “on the dark side”.....

 

[Bobhaze]

The cowboys won the division in 2009 vs the eagles in week 17.

just throwing it out there.

That’s a good point Mike. My understanding is the Cowboys had already clinched a spot in the playoffs the week before vs the colts but did clinch the division the next week vs the Egirls.

 

[jazzcat22]

Wasn't last years game against Washington a meaningless game. I remember some wanting to lose that game for a better draft pick as well, and to assure the nail in Garrett's coffin.

 

[Aven8]

If our pass rush gets to Daniel Jones, his bum hamstring could easily get hurt, if he has to scramble or is taken down forcefully.

I think I would rather face Jones the whole game than Colt McCoy who has cleaned our clocks once before.....

 

[75boyz]

The situation is similar. The opposing team's starting QB has limited mobility because of a recent injury but is still playing.
This example I'm using isn't a game 17 game but a playoff game.

And Daniel Jones will never be confused with Aaron Rodgers. But that memory of not being able to pressure a one legged Rodgers that day still bugs me.

Hope the defense can at least pressure a hobbled Jones.

Not a Mac fan regardless of outcome.

 

[Virginia-Dave]

That’s a good point Mike. My understanding is the Cowboys had already clinched a spot in the playoffs the week before vs the colts but did clinch the division the next week vs the Egirls.

They didn't play the Colts in 09. The Cowboys were 8-5, coming off a 2 game skid, then ended the season by beating the 13-0 Saints in the Superdome, shutting out WAS, and then shutting out the 11-4 Eagles to win the division.

 

[Bobhaze]

They didn't play the Colts in 09. The Cowboys were 8-5, coming off a 2 game skid, then ended the season by beating the 13-0 Saints in the Superdome, shutting out WAS, and then shutting out the 11-4 Eagles to win the division.

You’re right, and I stand corrected.

 

[Hawkeye19]

The Cowboys have faced a week 17 “must win to get in” challenge several times in the Jones years.

• In fact, 4 times in the last 10 years, they have gone into the final 2 weeks of the season needing to beat an NFC East opponent to win the division.
• All 4 times in the last 10 years, with the division and playoffs on the line, Dallas has lost. It happened in 2011, 2012, 2013, and last year in 2019.

Amazingly, the 1993 Cowboys, coached by Jimmy were the last Cowboys team to win the division in Week 17, defeating the Giants 16-13 in that great overtime game where Emmitt was a hero. There have been other division winners over the years of course, but it’s been 27 years since a Cowboys team won the division on the last game of the year against a division rival. That’s a baffling stat.

On the good side of history are the teams Mike McCarthy has coached in Week 17 since his days at GB. Big Mac has had a good record of winning this time of year. Here’s some evidence:

• Dallas’ current three-game winning streak has improved McCarthy’s record to 42-19 in regular-season games played in December and January.
• MM teams have been even better in Week 17. His Pack teams went 9-3 in the final week of the season, including a 3-1 mark with the division on the line.

So will recent history be repeated? Or will Big Mac find a way to reverse fortunes? Hopefully we win in NY and the egirls find a way to win against the WFT. In late Nov, who would have ever thought this opportunity was possible?

Let’s be honest. The Dallas Cowboys are not a very good football team. But they have had the good fortune of being in a terrible division and a favorable schedule down the stretch. To their credit, this team has continued to improve. Sunday night, we will know how much this team has improved.

I think Dallas has the advantage on offense and specifically at QB... the NYG have a better overall D in terms of talent and coaching, but Dallas D has been trending up the past few games.

Throw in the team’s winning streak and new found swag and I would put Dallas’ odds of winning at 75%

Philly/WFT is harder to call. Smith playing definitely bodes well for Wash, but will he stay in for the whole game? Beating Philly in Philly is always hard— and the fact it is a primetime game Sun night really benefits the Eagles since they don’t want to embarrass themselves and defend their own house

I would put Philly’s odds of winning right at 50%... but if Smith gets knocked out of the game, I think the Eagles win pretty easily

 

[CT Dal Fan]

didn't we win against WFT last year that could have got us in should philly have lost? im pretty sure we did..
W47 - 16

was that score not doing all you can in week 17?

did we just pas s that scenario over that has us in the exact same position this season and it failed because philly won.. we need wft t lose and we need win but win in NY is not enough just lie last year..

didnt Garett turn around a 3-5 team and go 7-1 down the stretch wasn't that a great December and won against seatle in playoffs? that was 2018? so that 2 straight years winning late and giving us chance to down the stretch? 3-1 in december

do we hate Garett so much you try and self edit his recent history?

so JG led teams 2016 great december, 2018 gret december, 2019 detryoed WFT to do al he could do get in week 17 as you put it.

just wanting to make sure fans understand you are nit picking a bit or cherry picking..JG had some nice Decembers of late and well it was the middle halves of the year that killed this team..

I believe Dallas was already eliminated last year going into week 17. The 17-9 loss to Philly the week before they blew out Washington eliminated them. But you're point is still well taken.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

Here's a question; would 7-9 and a division title impress you more - given all the injuries this year - compared to last year's 8-8 and missing the playoffs with a healthy team?

 

[nalam]

Hey, Bob. Now that you're staff here maybe lighten up on the hate.

Smell sour grapes , ha ?

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

The Dallas Jerry's will crap the bed.

 

[gimmesix]

Haze in my opinion is one of the best posters on this board. You guys need to lighten up and stop acting like 6th grade teachers. Maybe the guy just made a mistake. Point it out and move on. Risen your also a good poster on here as well but he's not hating just reporting facts. Made a mistake and thats it. Everyone on here is so quick to jump on everyone the second they spot something wrong. The only haters are all of us on each other. That being said, God bless to you all, Happy New Year and lets get this win Sunday

Not that it's always clear, but I believe Risen was joking.

And now you've made me defend Risen, so you should feel bad.

 

[Ranched]

Anything could happen. I have a gut feeling 2020 still has some tricks up it's sleeve for Dallas & the leagues season.

 

[MarcusRock]

Haze in my opinion is one of the best posters on this board. You guys need to lighten up and stop acting like 6th grade teachers. Maybe the guy just made a mistake. Point it out and move on. Risen your also a good poster on here as well but he's not hating just reporting facts. Made a mistake and thats it. Everyone on here is so quick to jump on everyone the second they spot something wrong. The only haters are all of us on each other. That being said, God bless to you all, Happy New Year and lets get this win Sunday

 

[Cwby41]

Anything could happen. I have a gut feeling 2020 still has some tricks up it's sleeve for Dallas & the leagues season.

My bad, little hungover I usually pick up on that quick. My apologies Risen

 

[75boyz]

Here's a question; would 7-9 and a division title impress you more - given all the injuries this year - compared to last year's 8-8 and missing the playoffs with a healthy team?

I just had a similar discussion. And if you really want to take it to its deepest level they are essentially the same.
To add, I am anti Garrett and anti McCarthy.
Anti-BOTH.

The point remains.

This team has proven they can not beat good teams regardless of covid, injuries, quarterback, defense or coaching.

Culture, Coaching and Contracts are the Culprits to this Cowboys Cancer.

Brought to you by the letter C.

Outside of a new ownership family miraculously buying out the Jones Cartel, this will continue.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I seem to remember a few McCarthy Packers teams that stumbled early and had to win out to make the playoffs. It always seemed like Aaron Rodgers had something to do with the winning but maybe not.

It's not about how you start it's how you finish.