DMN Blog: Cowboys magic number

[WoodysGirl]

11:10 AM Tue, Dec 08, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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How many wins must the Cowboys compile to claim a playoff spot? One more win gives them a chance, although it must also be pointed out that the Cowboys have failed to make the playoffs twice in the last four years after winning nine games.

Eight teams have made the playoffs in the NFC since 2000 with nine wins. Two teams actually snuck in with eight wins. Every other team won 10 or more games. Here are the teams that got in with nine or less wins this decade.

2008 _ Philadelphia and Atlanta with nine wins.
2007 _ Tampa Bay and Washington with nine wins.
2006 _ Dallas and Seattle with nine wins.
2005 _ All teams 10 or more wins.
2004 _ Minnesota and St. Louis with eight wins.
2003 _ All teams 10 or more wins.
2002 _ Atlanta with nine wins.
2001 _ Tampa Bay with nine wins.
2000 _ All teams 10 or more wins.


Comments (3) Leave comment | E-mail entry

 

[jzcowboy]

From all the scenarios that I've done and seen, 10 wins is a lock for the playoffs. Also, winning the division is a lock, or at least so I'm told...

 

[DasTex]

From all the scenarios that I've done and seen, 10 wins is a lock for the playoffs. Also, winning the division is a lock, or at least so I'm told...

I thought that 10 was a lock as well - but it isn't.

If Philly beats NY this week - and then both win out after that - I think 10 wins doesn't get us in. Might be wrong, but I think thats how it works out.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I thought that 10 was a lock as well - but it isn't.

If Philly beats NY this week - and then both win out after that - I think 10 wins doesn't get us in. Might be wrong, but I think thats how it works out.

You are correct. Philly would win the division at 12-4. NYG would win the tiebreaker over Dallas at 10-6. Our only hope would be for Green Bay to tank it.

 

[HanD]

From all the scenarios that I've done and seen, 10 wins is a lock for the playoffs. Also, winning the division is a lock, or at least so I'm told...

i don't think that is correct. i used this scenario in yahoo.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/playoff...=40501015&14=44104515&15=40000041&16=54251515

in any scenarios, dallas loses tie breakers to nyg and gb head to head. it's different if more than 2 teams are involved i think. if dallas loses more games than philly, they can win the division. dallas is actually pretty vulnerable IMO based on the tough schedule but i think we can win sd, was and play for the division in philly. i'll be rooting against the pack and nyfg (a given) from here on out.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

i don't think that is correct. i used this scenario in yahoo.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/playoff...=40501015&14=44104515&15=40000041&16=54251515

in any scenarios, dallas loses tie breakers to nyg and gb head to head. it's different if more than 2 teams are involved i think. if dallas loses more games than philly, they can win the division. dallas is actually pretty vulnerable IMO based on the tough schedule but i think we can win sd, was and play for the division in philly. i'll be rooting against the pack and nyfg (a given) from here on out.

It's in Dallas. We already won in Philly.

 

[HanD]

It's in Dallas. We already won in Philly.

sorry...i meant against philly.

 

[DFWJC]

From all the scenarios that I've done and seen, 10 wins is a lock for the playoffs. Also, winning the division is a lock, or at least so I'm told...

Because we don't have own tie-breakers with GB or NYG, I don't think 10 wins is a lock at all. I hope it gets us there, b/c that is where I see us finishing.

 

[jzcowboy]

NY and GB both won't get to 10 wins

 

[AmericasTeam31]

i don't think that is correct. i used this scenario in yahoo.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/playoff...=40501015&14=44104515&15=40000041&16=54251515

in any scenarios, dallas loses tie breakers to nyg and gb head to head. it's different if more than 2 teams are involved i think. if dallas loses more games than philly, they can win the division. dallas is actually pretty vulnerable IMO based on the tough schedule but i think we can win sd, was and play for the division in philly. i'll be rooting against the pack and nyfg (a given) from here on out.

NY is the key though, because we lose any three way tie with them automatically. The way the tiebreaker rules are set up, when there is a three way tie, and two teams are from the same division, the division tiebreaker (head to head) is applied before any other tiebreakers with the third team... So, any three way tie involving NY means we don't make it... Unless Philly, Dallas, and NY are all tied atop the East and GB has a worse record, not likely.

 

[Zman5]

NY and GB both won't get to 10 wins

I agree. Looking at their schedule I think we have better chance at winning two games then they have winning 3.

Washington is going to be tougher then originally thought for both teams. Carolina always plays them tough. I guess it's going to come down to if Minny decides to play or rest their starters.


Philadelphia
@Washington
Carolina
@ Minnesota

 

[DFWJC]

NY and GB both won't get to 10 wins

Hope not

GB may even get 11 wins the way they're playing, but 10 looks almost assured.
The Gnats have to win 3 of the following: home vs Philly and Carolina; away vs Washington and Minny (wk 17 possible rest week)....so they have less than a 50-50 shot, imo.

 

[AmericasTeam31]

I agree. Looking at their schedule I think we have better chance at winning two games then they have winning 3.

Washington is going to be tougher then originally thought for both teams. Carolina always plays them tough. I guess it's going to come down to if Minny decides to play or rest their starters.


Philadelphia
@Washington
Carolina
@ Minnesota

Thus the importance of us (or anyone else for that matter) beating the Saints... If we beat the Saints, that will likely force the Vikings to play their starters in that game. One of Minn. two losses is to the Steelers (AFC), and all of the Saints remaining games are against NFC teams. So at this point if they tie at 14-2 to end the season, the #1 seed goes to Minn, based on conference record... So what will help our playoff chances the most is a loss by NY to Philly, and loss by N.O. at some point (preferrably to us).

 

[Future]

Hope not

GB may even get 11 wins the way they're playing, but 10 looks almost assured.
The Gnats have to win 3 of the following: home vs Philly and Carolina; away vs Washington and Minny (wk 17 possible rest week)....so they have less than a 50-50 shot, imo.

I agree they could win out because they have a talented enough offense...but it's not because they are playing great. Last night was the sloppiest game I have ever seen.

 

[Rampage]

they are most likely gonna have to win 11 games to get in

 

[NextGenBoys]

From all the scenarios that I've done and seen, 10 wins is a lock for the playoffs. Also, winning the division is a lock, or at least so I'm told...

If we beat Was and Philly, ten could do it.

 

[jzcowboy]

Well, 10 wins locked it up

 

[Doomsday101]

No sneaking in we came through the front door. :laugh2: