Cowboys Lose Top Spot All Time Winning Percentage

[plasticman]

Last Year the Cowboys regained the lead in all time winning percentage for NFL franchises (regular season).

They are now 3 games behind the Chicago Bears. That is, in order to regain the top spot they must win three more games than the Bears in the final eight games of the season.

Historically, the #1 ranking has switched back and forth between the Browns, Dolphins, Cowboys, and Raiders. However, the other three teams have had a very poor record over the past couple decades. The Cowboys mediocrity erased a commanding lead in the early 90's. Finally, they lost it in 2010 during the 1-7 start. The exact game was the same one that cost Wade Phillips his job, the Packer game.

They regained the lead, by actually defeating the 1st place team last season in game #12, the Bears.

Although the Bears have lost more than the Cowboys since then, Cowboy losses have a heavier weight due to the fact that they are a younger team and have played less overall games than the Bears who have been in the league since it's inception.

The following is a chart showing each franchise's PCT., and games behind 1st place:

TmW-L% ▾Games Behind
Chicago Bears57.3%0
Dallas Cowboys57.2%3
Green Bay Packers56.8%13
Miami Dolphins56.3%17
San Francisco 49ers55.5%42
New England Patriots54.9%48
Baltimore Ravens54.6%20
New York Giants54.5%81
Denver Broncos54.1%63
Minnesota Vikings54.1%61
Indianapolis Colts53.3%88
Cleveland Browns53.0%96
Oakland Raiders52.9%86
Pittsburgh Steelers52.6%124
Kansas City Chiefs51.3%117
Washington Redskins50.4%184
San Diego Chargers50.2%138
St. Louis Rams50.0%184
Seattle Seahawks49.8%109
Carolina Panthers48.6%67
Philadelphia Eagles48.6%230
Tennessee Titans48.1%181
Buffalo Bills46.5%211
Cincinnati Bengals45.8%197
New York Jets45.7%228
Detroit Lions45.6%320
Jacksonville Jaguars45.4%92
New Orleans Saints44.2%228
Atlanta Falcons43.5%245
Arizona Cardinals42.2%443
Houston Texans42.1%77
Tampa Bay Buccaneers38.5%274

 

[plasticman]

Okay, I'm no formatting genius

 

[Alexander]

 

[JoeKing]

First time I've ever seen the complete list. The thing that strikes me first is, how are the Brows in the top half of the list? When were they ever good for a long time?

 

[LittleD]

We don't deserve any recognition as a top NFL franchise the way we have played the
last 21 years. We play small ball, trying not to lose, football and we find lot's of ways
to lose games. That's what losing franchises tend to do year in and year out. With
this ownership and coaching staff, I don't see things improving much in the coming
decade.

 

[mugsybows]

 

[Idgit]

First time I've ever seen the complete list. The thing that strikes me first is, how are the Brows in the top half of the list? When were they ever good for a long time?

They were consistently solid for a long while, including the Schottenheimer years. For a long time, they were the winningest team to have never won a Superbowl, though it looks like MIN has taken over that honor.

 

[pacy]

I would like to see the last 10 years.

 

[tyke1doe]

Okay, I'm no formatting genius

We appreciate what you did post. Thanks.

 

[LucaBrasi]

First time I've ever seen the complete list. The thing that strikes me first is, how are the Brows in the top half of the list? When were they ever good for a long time?

The Browns haven't been vary good since the merger (save for a few seasons in the 70's and Marty Ball in the mid- late 80's), However from 1946 - 1970 they had a winning season nearly every year. They've won 8 NFL championships pre-merger I think. I know they kicked the tar out of the Cowboys in the 60's because for a long time the head to head against them was really lopsided in their favor.

 

[DogFace]

When it rains...

 

[jazzcat22]

We don't deserve any recognition as a top NFL franchise the way we have played the
last 21 years. We play small ball, trying not to lose, football and we find lot's of ways
to lose games. That's what losing franchises tend to do year in and year out. With
this ownership and coaching staff, I don't see things improving much in the coming
decade.

I would like to see the last 10 years.

Appreciate the history and the OP. Why post this this.
If anything, it's a testament to the great history.

I used to keep track of this, overall, Since 1960 vs. other teams and since the merger.
Wonder what those are now, bet we are still in the top.

Thanks plasticman for the update.

 

[Asklesko]

shameful

 

[plasticman]

The Browns were the winningest franchise for over two decades. They were winning right out the gates thanks to their Head Coach Paul Brown.

They started with ten consecutive winning seasons from 1946 to 1955.,Then they had one losing season followed by another 13 consecutive winning seasons.

In fact, in their first 28 seasons they had one losing season and one tie season.

If I ever get the time I'll chart the 1st place history, its pretty interesting. The Dolphins had it in the mid 70's, Raiders had it for a brief time.

The Patriots were terrible for a long time. The would need to go undefeated 3 consecutive seasons while a half dozen other teams, including Dallas, went winless.

But the Packers are close.

Because the Ravens are relatively new, their wins and losses are more impactful, they came really close a few years ago.

If the Cowboys go 6-2 in the 2nd half while the Bears go 3-5, then they regain the lead.

 

[erod]

Jerry

 

[JoeBoBBY]

We don't deserve any recognition as a top NFL franchise the way we have played the
last 21 years. We play small ball, trying not to lose, football and we find lot's of ways
to lose games. That's what losing franchises tend to do year in and year out. With
this ownership and coaching staff, I don't see things improving much in the coming
decade.

I dont want to agree with you. But. Those are facts and reality.

I really thought we had turned the corner last year. I really thought we had something......

I still have a glimmer of hope.....not for this year, but next. But. I dunno...My bet is we see more of what we have been seeing the last 21 years. 8-8 with no real shot at SB. One good year, then back to 8-8. Thats the Dallas Cowboys.....

I will say, I do beleive Jerry, when he says he wants to win more then anything. Problem is, he just cant. --- Its not easy.

I caught the Roger Staubach Football like on the NFL Network a few months ago. Those days were so good. And the guys, Pearson, Waters, Martin..... Landry. --- I was just a kid....but looking back, how great were those teams? How great was Tom Landry?

 

[PAINFROMUKRAINE]

Jerry

But this happened on Garrett's Watch. He is the Head Coach. I do not remember the NFL keeping stats on Owners' Wins and Loses. The Head Coach normally gets to keep the Wins and Loses Stats under his tenure.

 

[JoeKing]

They were consistently solid for a long while, including the Schottenheimer years. For a long time, they were the winningest team to have never won a Superbowl, though it looks like MIN has taken over that honor.

??? you got a window when that was?

 

[JoeKing]

The Browns were the winningest franchise for over two decades. They were winning right out the gates thanks to their Head Coach Paul Brown.

They started with ten consecutive winning seasons from 1946 to 1955.,Then they had one losing season followed by another 13 consecutive winning seasons.

In fact, in their first 28 seasons they had one losing season and one tie season.

If I ever get the time I'll chart the 1st place history, its pretty interesting. The Dolphins had it in the mid 70's, Raiders had it for a brief time.

The Patriots were terrible for a long time. The would need to go undefeated 3 consecutive seasons while a half dozen other teams, including Dallas, went winless.

But the Packers are close.

Because the Ravens are relatively new, their wins and losses are more impactful, they came really close a few years ago.

If the Cowboys go 6-2 in the 2nd half while the Bears go 3-5, then they regain the lead.

I realize there was football over 50 years ago but I just don't think about it ever happening because I wasn't around then, didn't see it for myself. Thank you for the history lesson. I became a fan in the 70's so I just don't have a frame of reference for pro football before then. The packers and pats always sucked until the last decade. The browns were never that good... I still think of the cardinals as a divisional foe.

 

[jobberone]

Okay, I'm no formatting genius

Just a suggestion but you can copy the table etc to your computer then upload to something like photobucket. Copy the direct link and then paste into the image icon in the menu bar. This allows a direct picture of what you wish to be inserted into your post.