DMN: 5 things that need to happen for Cowboys to make 2015 playoffs

[jobberone]

5 things that need to happen for Cowboys to make 2015 playoffs
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Jon Machota Email jmachota@***BANNED-URL***
Published: July 7, 2015 11:08 pm
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) delivers the play to wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) in the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, November 27, 2014. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)

The Cowboys snapped a four-year playoff drought last season by winning 12 games, their second-highest win total in 19 years.

Repeating that success won’t be easy. There’s so much parity in the NFL today that the NFC East hasn’t had a Wild Card team since 2009 and no team has won the division in consecutive years since Philadelphia in 2004.

How do the Cowboys put an end to that streak?

Well, here are five things they hope go their way in 2015.

1.) Be fortunate in the health department, especially with Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. The Cowboys have a talented and deep roster. If No. 9 and No. 88 are on the field for 16 games, Dallas will have a great shot at getting back to the playoffs. Obviously any injury would be difficult to overcome, but the players behind Romo and Bryant would have the toughest time trying to replicate what those two Pro Bowlers bring on Sundays. Of course, it also helps to get a full season out of Tyron Smith, Jason Witten, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, Joseph Randle, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Jeremy Mincey, Barry Church, J.J. Wilcox, Anthony Hitchens, Brandon Carr and Nick Hayden. All of them played all 16 games in 2014.

2.) Find success running the ball. They don’t need to average nearly 150 yards per game like they did last year on the ground, but they should be somewhere around the 130 mark. And it doesn’t have to be a bell cow backfield like it was with DeMarco Murray. They can split carries with Joseph Randle or whoever else emerges. But they need to establish a ground game for Romo to be at his best through the air. Here’s what the Cowboys have averaged per game on the ground over the last six seasons. It’s easy to identify which two years Dallas went to the playoffs.

2014: 147.1

2013: 94.0

2012: 79.1

2011: 112.9

2010: 111.6

2009: 131.4

3.) More pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Rod Marinelli will be preaching this every day. The Cowboys managed only 28 sacks last season, only the Chargers, Falcons, Raiders and Bengals had less. The additions of Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory coupled with the emergence of DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford should put their total near the 40s this season.

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...en-for-cowboys-to-make-playoffs-in-2015.html/

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[Longboysfan]

Interesting numbers.

What were Seattle's numbers in rushing average per game and sacks last year?

 

[guag]

Interesting numbers.

What were Seattle's numbers in rushing average per game and sacks last year?

They had around 2700 on the ground as a team (about 170/game), but Wilson had a good chunk of that.

 

[Satchel89]

Pretty much the same 5 things that have to happen every year for every team

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I was thinking at least eleven things need to happen, all of them starting with 'W'.

 

[ghst187]

How about the 80s and 90s 49ers and 2000s pats models...? Play in a horrible division and guarantee yourself home field advantage throughout the playoffs. If that's not enough follow NEs model and cheat your butt off

 

[Rockport]

I like #2 as it shows how important the running game is and that it's not all about passing the ball as many believe.

 

[Idgit]

I like #2 as it shows how important the running game is and that it's not all about passing the ball as many believe.

Or it shows that good teams often run games out when they're sufficiently ahead.

It's well established statistically that running in running situations in order to pass effectively is what wins games.

I wouldn't even have rushing success on my list, much less as my second must-have.

 

[Rockport]

Or it shows that good teams often run games out when they're sufficiently ahead.

It's well established statistically that running in running situations in order to pass effectively is what wins games.

I wouldn't even have rushing success on my list, much less as my second must-have.

Having a very good rushing game has long been the key to a consistently winning football team at any level. It's football 101. Not saying that a very good passing game can't do the same but it's much harder if you pass first. A good ground games elevates your passing game.

 

[Idgit]

Having a very good rushing game has long been the key to a consistently winning football team at any level. It's football 101. Not saying that a very good passing game can't do the same but it's much harder if you pass first. A good ground games elevates your passing game.

We'll never agree, so let's not get into it again, but what you're saying just isn't supported by the data.

 

[Rockport]

We'll never agree, so let's not get into it again, but what you're saying just isn't supported by the data.

Yes it is. Or just ask ANY football coach.

 

[cowboyblue22]

the cowboys had over 2000 rushing yards last year they still won one playoff game barely health and turnovers and being able to put pressure on the other qb is really important.

 

[dallasdave]

The Cowboys will put pressure on the QB this season and that is very important.

 

[DandyDon52]

5 things that need to happen for Cowboys to make 2015 playoffs
http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/23c5110466ed7c234a985a645c542863?s=52&d=http%3A%2F%2Fres.***BANNED-URL***%2Fresources%2Fimages%2FSD-logo-50.jpg%3Fs%3D52&r=G
Jon Machota Email jmachota@***BANNED-URL***
Published: July 7, 2015 11:08 pm
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) delivers the play to wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) in the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, November 27, 2014. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)

The Cowboys snapped a four-year playoff drought last season by winning 12 games, their second-highest win total in 19 years.

Repeating that success won’t be easy. There’s so much parity in the NFL today that the NFC East hasn’t had a Wild Card team since 2009 and no team has won the division in consecutive years since Philadelphia in 2004.

How do the Cowboys put an end to that streak?

Well, here are five things they hope go their way in 2015.

1.) Be fortunate in the health department, especially with Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. The Cowboys have a talented and deep roster. If No. 9 and No. 88 are on the field for 16 games, Dallas will have a great shot at getting back to the playoffs. Obviously any injury would be difficult to overcome, but the players behind Romo and Bryant would have the toughest time trying to replicate what those two Pro Bowlers bring on Sundays. Of course, it also helps to get a full season out of Tyron Smith, Jason Witten, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, Joseph Randle, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Jeremy Mincey, Barry Church, J.J. Wilcox, Anthony Hitchens, Brandon Carr and Nick Hayden. All of them played all 16 games in 2014.

2.) Find success running the ball. They don’t need to average nearly 150 yards per game like they did last year on the ground, but they should be somewhere around the 130 mark. And it doesn’t have to be a bell cow backfield like it was with DeMarco Murray. They can split carries with Joseph Randle or whoever else emerges. But they need to establish a ground game for Romo to be at his best through the air. Here’s what the Cowboys have averaged per game on the ground over the last six seasons. It’s easy to identify which two years Dallas went to the playoffs.

2014: 147.1

2013: 94.0

2012: 79.1

2011: 112.9

2010: 111.6

2009: 131.4

3.) More pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Rod Marinelli will be preaching this every day. The Cowboys managed only 28 sacks last season, only the Chargers, Falcons, Raiders and Bengals had less. The additions of Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory coupled with the emergence of DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford should put their total near the 40s this season.

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...en-for-cowboys-to-make-playoffs-in-2015.html/

It says 5 things, lol but only lists 3 !!
1. This is every team key players playing in most games
2. I agree on this
3. They should have improved pass rush, I dont think sacks are needed as much as just more pressure.
I will add.
4. Romo sacked less in key situations fix the men coming in free on him.
5.more passes to beasley and escobar and williams
6.defend the run better.

 

[jobberone]

Having a very good rushing game has long been the key to a consistently winning football team at any level. It's football 101. Not saying that a very good passing game can't do the same but it's much harder if you pass first. A good ground games elevates your passing game.

I agree a good running game helps control the ball and increases Sc% assuming you can avg around 4 YPC and get into better down situations. And the play action pass along with keeping the defense honest is a key as well. You don't have to have a great running game just an effective one. Being in 2 and 6 is a critical number for making first downs which is a tell tale for higher Sc%. And that correlates to more PPG and winning.

 

[Rockport]

I agree a good running game helps control the ball and increases Sc% assuming you can avg around 4 YPC and get into better down situations. And the play action pass along with keeping the defense honest is a key as well. You don't have to have a great running game just an effective one. Being in 2 and 6 is a critical number for making first downs which is a tell tale for higher Sc%. And that correlates to more PPG and winning.

And alot of people, who just spout stats in their arguments, don't seem to understand is that a good running game affects the physch of the opposing team. It's demoralizing to get beat down by the offensive line and RB play after play. That doesn't show up in the stats.

 

[jobberone]

And alot of people, who just spout stats in their arguments, don't seem to understand is that a good running game affects the physch of the opposing team. It's demoralizing to get beat down by the offensive line and RB play after play. That doesn't show up in the stats.

That is true but you still win games by passing. The run makes it easier and not being able to stop the run does demoralize a team.

 

[Rockport]

That is true but you still win games by passing. The run makes it easier and not being able to stop the run does demoralize a team.

There needs to be a good balance.