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

[Corso]

I see 8-8, possibly 7-9. And I started this season drinking the Sunny D and calling 11-5.

The Lions game - a game we lost while having statistically over a 99 percent chance of winning with a minute left - took any hope out of me. Plus we have piling up injuries leaving us with a wretched defense, shaky Oline, and weaknesses in RB and WR.

Add to that a lame duck head coach who has shown zero improvement in 3 years.

Very good chance we come apart as this season winds down.

You know- this makes me a little glum because you have been a good voice of optimistic reason for me to read the last several months amongst the angst-ridden...

At least you've been honest about them from day 1 without being a sour-puss.

Now you've soured on them and I don't blame you.

This team needs a strong hand to get them in the right direction and make them more consistent and fast. C'mon Garrett- feel the heat on your seat and get pro-active!

Not reactive! Use your players! Screw your "scheme", it's not working.

Act like you have nothing to lose because guess what- You're Losing!

 

[TTexasTT]

Super Bowl?! What have you seen from this team that makes you think they can make the SB?

Why do you even ask. If he were to give you some valid eye opening observations would it even make a difference.

I know it a long shot because there are so many other teams shooting for the same goal. I can say that there have been times when this team has shown to be very good at most aspects of the game. The key is to put them together for longer stretches of time.

 

[Stash]

I see that this team is exactly where it was for last year's 8-8 run.

They can beat teams with losing records but lose against anyone above .500.

They are and continue to be the epitome of average, despite any unsubstantiated wishful thinking otherwise.

 

[Gameover]

1999 Cowboys were 8-8 and were in the playoffs...

If that team had a QB, they would've made it to St. Louis that year.

 

[JBS]

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.

Beating all 3 division opponents is more unlikely than it is likely. It's not happening.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

With the way they have been playing they will be lucky if they hit 9-7. Really, really lucky. 8-8 is much more realistic. That may be enough to hold off the Giants, but the butt whipping they get in the playoffs will offset that good feeling. This team looks crazy average from coaching on down and if it were not for the Division they play in we would already be talking about next off-season and draft position.

 

[Alexander]

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.

The bar is set by our Owner/GM who constantly talks about "making the tournament" and getting hot like the Giants and Ravens have. It is all he has talked about for two years.

 

[burmafrd]

The once in a generation oppurtunity was 2007.

 

[BIGDen]

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.

I don't see any team in this division getting "very hot". All of the teams have multiple issues. Dallas had the most talent and best opportunity for a strong start but squandered it. Now they are very injury-depleted and will likely struggle for the rest of the season. Fortunately for Dallas, 7 or 8 wins might be all it takes to win the East and they have swept the division thus far. If I were betting, I would say Dallas still wins the division.

We ALL want SBs. However, to talk SB right now is premature IMO. Win the division and secure that home playoff game. Then hope for things to click, get maybe a bounce or two, and see if Dallas can pull off what other fairly unimpressive teams have done in recent years.

Personally, I think this Minnesota game is huge. If Dallas wins, they'll likely only need a few more Ws over the remaining 7 games. If they lose at home to a struggling Vikings team, the season could easily end up with 6 or 7 wins and Dallas on the outside looking in.

 

[Zordon]

The once in a generation oppurtunity was 2007.

the more time passes by, the more i agree with this statement. the window opened and closed in 2007.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Thats the spirit.

Yes, it is. I'm just sick and tired of being disappointed. We should have won the NFC East the last 2 years, but found ways to lose it. I'm just assuming we're not winning it, we're not going to the playoffs, and we're not doing diddly squat other than beating a few mediocre teams. Then we do better, it will be a gift.

 

[cowboys2233]

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

LOL.

 

[cowboys2233]

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.

You don't think so? I think a playoff berth will be plenty of ammunition for Jones to say that it is proof the team is heading in the right direction. Believe me, he doesn't want to fire Garrett. All he needs is some ammunition and Garrett stays. A playoff berth would be more than enough ammunition, even if it's all BS.

 

[Verdict]

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

I don't think that will be the case. It happens occasionally, but the wins tend to pile up, even if it is just beating up on the other teams in the division.

 

[cowboyblue22]

all the dreams about super bowls and playoff wow and average team with average players and average coach 8and 8 last two seasons 4 and 4 this year cant win close games and all of sudden this is going to change I don't think so kinda like running the ball they can do that either of course Stephen jones says to day in dallas morning news he is really optimistic
about what coming in next 8games so maybe the secret sauce is going to be applied

 

[tyke1doe]

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

Let's not get carried too far away.

 

[tyke1doe]

Counting on conquering the division when there's still three games left to play is a bit premature. I can see the Cowboys losing to the Commanders AND Giants because both those teams are playing at home and play the Cowboys tough. The Eagles just don't have the fire power to match the Boys and don't have the power running game to keep Dallas honest, unlike the Skins and the Giants.

The way I see it we lose to New Orleans, Green Bay, Chicago and Washington.

We finish 8-8.