Cowboys are close to squandering a once-in-a-generation opportunity (NFC East)

[Red Dragon]

It is almost impossible for a division to be any more gift-wrapped than this year's NFC East.

The Eagles? They have big problems at the quarterback position, at the precise team when every other NFC East team is trying to overtake them or stay ahead of them.

The Commanders, last season's division champions? They got off to a 1-4 start.

The Giants, the Cowboys' chief nemesis over the past 6 years? They got off to an 0-6 start, their worst start in over 35 years.


It's almost like circumstances are begging the Cowboys to win the division.

And yet the Cowboys are 4-4.


This may be a once-in-a-generation opportunity. It could be decades - if ever - before we'll ever see another NFC East division title as easily to be claimed as this year's.





In almost any other year, the 4-4 Cowboys would be sitting at second or third place in the division, fighting furiously to keep their playoff hopes alive. This season? The 4-4 Cowboys, despite all their failures, lead the division and hold what amounts to a 2-game lead over their nearest division rival, because of tiebreaker advantage.


Despite losing two heartbreaking games they should have won, despite multiple injuries, despite surrendering over 600 yards to the Lions, despite having one of the worst rushing offenses in the league, despite having the NFL's worst defense right now (in yardage allowed,) and the NFL's worst passing defense...........

................the Cowboys still have numerous advantages over all of their NFC East rivals for the time being.


They have defeated every division foe at least once already. This makes them invulnerable to a head-to-head tiebreaker. No other team in the division enjoys that kind of security.

The next tiebreaker is division record. The Cowboys win this one, easily, for now. They are 3-0 in the NFC East, far and away the best record of any team in the division. This will be an absolutely crucial factor when December rolls around. The Eagles, Giants and Commanders? They're 2-2, 1-2, and 0-2 in division records, respectively.






There are NO excuses for not winning the division this year. You almost cannot ask for an easier schedule to win than the one that Garrett and the Cowboys have been handed this year. This may be the easiest NFC East title to win in decades.........and the Cowboys are coming dangerously close to not taking it.

 

[TTexasTT]

I fully expect the Cowboys to finish 10-6, but 7-9 would win this division.

 

[JBS]

10-6?

Care to explain how this team is going to go 6-2 over the next 8 games?

 

[Red Dragon]

I fully expect the Cowboys to finish 10-6 .

That would require the Cowboys to go 6-2 over a series of games that includes the Saints, Bears, Packers, Giants, Eagles and Commanders as opponents. That would be a tall order.

 

[Zordon]

as long as they beat the vikings/raiders and 2 of the 3 remaining division games then we'll win the division.

that giants game is HUGE. just pray the packers beat them or else we could be looking at 2nd place in a month.

 

[85Cowboy85]

I wouldn't say we are dangerously close to losing this. One of those teams would have to go on a pretty good run to catch us. Also we have a pretty favorable schedule.

I get your point though we have squandered a lot of opportunities.

 

[TTexasTT]

10-6?

Care to explain how this team is going to go 6-2 over the next 8 games?

Sure. They will beat 6 teams and lose two.

I imagine that your "realist" staus wont let you even think of this as a possibility. Even if it happed Id imagine youd find some way to explain how bad the Dallas Cowboys suck. Honestly, its not as far fetched as you think.

 

[The Natural]

That would require the Cowboys to go 6-2 over a series of games that includes the Saints, Bears, Packers, Giants, Eagles and Commanders as opponents. That would be a tall order.

I was down on the team but after looking at the schedule, I believe we will split GB/NO. Of the 6 games unaccounted for, there isnt a team left on the schedule that we should lose to. Operative word being "should".

 

[TTexasTT]

I was down on the team but after looking at the schedule, I believe we will split GB/NO. Of the 6 games unaccounted for, there isnt a team left on the schedule that we should lose to. Operative word being "should".

lol I think this is one of the most optimistic posts Ive seen you make.

 

[beevomav]

I would argue with you but your own words contradict your title:

Cowboys are close to squandering a once-in-a-generation opportunity (NFC East)

Insert your rebuttal to your post title...

The Eagles? They have big problems at the quarterback position, at the precise team when every other NFC East team is trying to overtake them or stay ahead of them.

The Commanders, last season's division champions? They got off to a 1-4 start.

The Giants, the Cowboys' chief nemesis over the past 6 years? They got off to an 0-6 start, their worst start in over 35 years.

Congrats..you did a great job of defeating your own argument.

 

[big dog cowboy]

It is almost impossible for a division to be any more gift-wrapped than this year's NFC East.

While I don't disagree with your post, it's my opinion that the bar is set much higher for this franchise than winning the NFC East.

 

[Gameover]

The SB is there for the cowboys, all they have to do is grab it.

 

[mrmojo]

The NFC East used to be an afterthought for this franchise, now it is what we hang out hat on, how the mighty have fallen......Mr Jones what have you done to my Cowboys?

 

[dupree89]

I was down on the team but after looking at the schedule, I believe we will split GB/NO. Of the 6 games unaccounted for, there isnt a team left on the schedule that we should lose to. Operative word being "should".

And while you having us split with GB/ N.O.....fans of those teams include Dallas as a team they should not lose to. Hey, I like seeing optimistic fans.so you basically are saying you think the team should go 7-1.
Mighty impressive.

 

[Hoofbite]

10-6?

Care to explain how this team is going to go 6-2 over the next 8 games?

They beat the 3 crappier teams in the division, the Vikings, and Oakland. Steal a game from Chicago, Green Bay or New Orleans.

10-6 isn't that far fetched. Unfortunately it really doesn't hold the weight that you would think a 10-6 record would considering it would be 90% built on teams that are downright awful.

I don't think 10-6 will happen because I think Dallas will drop a division game to either Washington or New York. I'm also not sure they can beat the Bears. Until they finally beat a stronger team I will have no faith that they can.

Anything less than 8 wins with this schedule should be an automatic pink slip for Garrett.

 

[Red Dragon]

I would argue with you but your own words contradict your title:



Insert your rebuttal to your post title...



Congrats..you did a great job of defeating your own argument.

No, the two things are not contradictory.


All three other NFC East teams are off to a bad start - Factual truth.

The Cowboys, at 4-4, have failed to put comfortable distance between them and their competitors in the NFC East - Factual truth.

 

[Red Dragon]

While I don't disagree with your post, it's my opinion that the bar is set much higher for this franchise than winning the NFC East.

You can't do anything in the playoffs until you get there first.

And when you've failed to make the playoffs for three straight years, a division title is a pretty sizable goal.

 

[mmohican29]

They beat the 3 crappier teams in the division, the Vikings, and Oakland. Steal a game from Chicago, Green Bay or New Orleans.

10-6 isn't that far fetched. Unfortunately it really doesn't hold the weight that you would think a 10-6 record would considering it would be 90% built on teams that are downright awful.

I don't think 10-6 will happen because I think Dallas will drop a division game to either Washington or New York. I'm also not sure they can beat the Bears. Until they finally beat a stronger team I will have no faith that they can.

Anything less than 8 wins with this schedule should be an automatic pink slip for Garrett.

Indeed, 8 wins- playoffs ( either division or wild card ) + Rd.1 victory- Jason stays. Playoff berth alone will no longer be enough.

Anything less- zero chance at retention.

 

[texbumthelife]

It's week eight and there is too much talent in this division. Someone is going to get very hot and go on a run. This division is completely up for grabs.

 

[beevomav]

No, the two things are not contradictory.


All three other NFC East teams are off to a bad start - Factual truth.

The Cowboys, at 4-4, have failed to put comfortable distance between them and their competitors in the NFC East - Factual truth.

Really bad form to quote my post and remove the parts you don't like..