Can Big Mac change our history in Week 17 games?

[FuzzyLumpkins]

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 like your thinking and I imagine Randy Gregory and Demarcus Lawrence do too.

 

[Diehardblues]

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.

There’s one BIG difference this time . A Cowboys win might not get us in. We are dependent on an Eagles win or tie.

In those other situations we had win and in situation. This time it’s not .

 

[cern]

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

Sarcasm, sheldon.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Sarcasm, sheldon.

Like sarcasm can't be used to get on somebody.

 

[cern]

Like sarcasm can't be used to get on somebody.

It can, but i didn't see it that way.

 

[Diehardblues]

I though this too and was corrected by @HanD . We were in the exact situation last year needing a win in week 17 and another divisional team to lose in order to make the playoffs. We won and still didn’t go to the playoffs.

Also, we got our butts handed to us in a week 17 NFC East title game in 2008.

Last year with Egirls it was a win and in game in week 16 for division title. And we lost . Philly just had to win in week 17 vs NY to clinch. We couldn’t win and get in.

In 2008 it was for Wild Card spot with Egirls.

 

[Diehardblues]

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.

It was meaningless once Egirls won in week 17. We had our chance to win it in week 16. We didn’t hold our destiny in our own hands by week 17.

 

[Diehardblues]

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.”

Yes , you did mention much later on down in OP. But you begin by comparing this to other Play-In games as comparison which was misleading . I missed your later reference initially as well until I saw this mentioning.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I know the narrative for the longest time was that we couldn't win in December.

He's done a good job of putting that to bed so far.

 

[Diehardblues]

What’s conflicting to me is what expectations did most have going into this season especially after 1-3 start?

Didn’t most think winning the division would be a nice improvement from last year. I guess they’re picky how we do it.

 

[charron]

No but the players can. We've had chances to win but the players failed to make the play.

 

[john van brocklin]

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.

Hope he can!!!

 

[JoeKing]

Making the playoffs will be more about the WFT screwing the pooch than "big mac". He was a horrible coach this season. The Cowboys win despite him, not because of him.

 

[Bobhaze]

Making the playoffs will be more about the WFT screwing the pooch than "big mac". He was a horrible coach this season. The Cowboys win despite him, not because of him.

What’s funny to me is if the WFT team loses Sun night, they are in much better shape in the draft. They desperately need a QB and may benefit much more by losing. I guess they may see this as “win-win”. Win and they’re in the playoffs. Lose and they “win” with a better draft pick.

 

[JoeKing]

What’s funny to me is if the WFT team loses Sun night, they are in much better shape in the draft. They desperately need a QB and may benefit much more by losing. I guess they may see this as “win-win”. Win and they’re in the playoffs. Lose and they “win” with a better draft pick.

You're exactly right. Ron Riveria is building a team that will give the Cowboys trouble for many years. They swept us this season and now they will either win the division or claim a better prize in the draft. I look forward to this rivalry being rekindled. May they battle in the future for meaningful spoils.

 

[cowboyec]

i think he can.
in a way...he already has.
i just don't think in a similar circumstance that garrett has us in this position.
that this team didn't just fold it up...is a testament to their want to and this head coach.
we can't do anything about sunday night....but sunday noon....we can.
WIN

 

[cowboyec]

Making the playoffs will be more about the WFT screwing the pooch than "big mac". He was a horrible coach this season. The Cowboys win despite him, not because of him.

totally disagree.

 

[JoeKing]

totally disagree.

You're allowed to disagree and you don't even have to explain your point but I wish you would.

 

[cowboyec]

You're allowed to disagree and you don't even have to explain your point but I wish you would.

i have in other threads.
that he has gotten ANYTHING servicable from 2 udfa ot's.....the emergence of te dalton schultz and wr noah brown....both were floundering under garrett.
his willingness to try ANYTHING....like moving Zack in game from og to ot....garrett would never have done that.
the fact that we have gone thru covid and not really been impacted is a direct reflection on his leadership.
that this team after all the crap is in position to have a shot at the east crown...when it could just as easily imploded...like we did last season...is 100% on Big Mc.

 

[JoeKing]

i have in other threads.
that he has gotten ANYTHING servicable from 2 udfa ot's.....the emergence of te dalton schultz and wr noah brown....both were floundering under garrett.
his willingness to try ANYTHING....like moving Zack in game from og to ot....garrett would never have done that.
the fact that we have gone thru covid and not really been impacted is a direct reflection on his leadership.
that this team after all the crap is in position to have a shot at the east crown...when it could just as easily imploded...like we did last season...is 100% on Big Mc.

Winning the NFCE division with a losing record does not mean he was a good coach, it means the other teams were not good either. The emergence of Dalton Schultz in 2020 has more to do with Witten and Jarwin being gone, nothing to do with big mac. Noah Brown emerged? Also, you are now giving credit to big mac for the great job KM has done. KM is the innovator on the offense, not big mac.