CFZ Embrace the challenge

[CCBoy]

The offensive line has rebounded in a big way as it relates to pass protection. After their really rough performance against the Eagles, Prescott hasn’t been sacked once. Terence Steele specifically, who gave up 12 pressures to the Eagles, has just seven in the three games since, including zero allowed against Washington.

The offensive line has also been much better in the run game, seeing improvements each week in run block win rate and adjusted line yards. The Cowboys have also enjoyed better rushing results as well, with Tony Pollard averaging 4.67 yards per carry since the bye after previously averaging 3.85 yards per carry.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2023/11/29/23979871/dallas-cowboys-analytics-roundup-advanced-stats

 

[Bobhaze]

We have only played 2 playoff caliber teams thus far this year and blown out by one and lost the other .

We have some upcoming games which hopefully can shed more light on what this team is .

So far all we know is we can dominate lesser teams .

The hype is still too high for this team . As we haven’t shown the ability to beat the better teams . Until we do the hype needs to simmer down .

We are a WC caliber team and don’t deserve at this point to be mentioned with the top teams which have had more success and beat top teams.

I agree with you. But this team has a chance to achieve more. I‘m not predicting anything other than this team is good enough to do more than they have in a long time.

Will they? I don’t know. But they will have the chance.

 

[Bobhaze]

Why is this team capable if Jerry still defines the culture that has precluded them from doing so for the last 27 years?

It’s a valid question. One that will only be answered from here on.

 

[jgboys1]

Isn't winning every game at home by 20 or more points different? How about setting an NFL record in game 11?

I hear you but we looked great against an aging Tom Brady and mediocre Bucs team last year just to get our hopes up and watch us lay an egg. the following week.

I hope you and all the people who likes your post can come back and tell me, we told you so!

 

[rambo2]

I hear you but we looked great against an aging Tom Brady and mediocre Bucs team last year just to get our hopes up and watch us lay an egg. the following week.

I hope you and all the people who likes your post can come back and tell me, we told you so!

The Cowboys are very good this year. They look like a top 3 team.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

I fully expect Dallas and philly to be 10-3 in a couple of weeks. A lot can happen between now and the end of the season.

 

[jgboys1]

The Cowboys are very good this year. They look like a top 3 team.

I agree, the only unfortunate thing is that I think the top 2 teams are the eagles and 49ers. Yes we can beat them, but I am in the wait and see mode.

 

[rambo2]

I agree, the only unfortunate thing is that I think the top 2 teams are the eagles and 49ers. Yes we can beat them, but I am in the wait and see mode.

We will be favored when we play the Eagles.

 

[MyFairLady]

I have some faith because of the young players such as Bland, Bell, Parsons, Tyler, Ferguson and Lamb. I have already seen what D Flaw, Zack and Tyron Smith do with their opportunities. Much will depend on Dak but I feel like we have a pretty solid group of players below him to help him by making some plays when it matters most.

 

[jgboys1]

We will be favored when we play the Eagles.

You think we will be favored if we play the Eagles in a playoff game in Philly?

I actually think we match up better with the Eagles than the 49ers.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

Probably a 1% chance of things working out in the division so best to just focus on playing well, especially on the road. We can always treat week 18 as a bye because the chances of that game meaning anything are slim to nil.

You have to think 11 wins gets us the 5 seed because I’m not sure Seattle and Minnesota can even win 10 games.

 

[Coogiguy03]

There’s still a chance the Cowboys can win the division and get the #1 seed. Of course it’s also possible it snows in Texas in July, but I digress.

In all seriousness, I’m not that worried about the Cowboys seeding right now. The reason I feel that way is I honestly believe this team is capable of a deep playoff run because they are capable. It will be a taller hill to climb for sure, but great teams are measured by what they overcome. The mental toughness it will take to win on the road in the playoffs is something this team can and must do.

So, I say embrace the challenge. I love the idea of winning 3 road playoff games against higher seeds. Why not? If you want to be great, you have to beat the best.

Here’s a short list of what this team must do to be tough enough to win a bunch of road playoff games:

• Play your best football from now on. Crisp execution with mental and physical toughness.
• Reduce the pre-snap penalties and other careless errors.
• Win the turnover battle.
• Make and accept no excuses. Just find a way to win.
• Stay as healthy as possible.

Sure, that is a “water is wet” list. But it’s true.
Hoping this team embraces whatever seed they accomplish. There’s still a lot of football left to play.
Here‘s hoping they embrace the challenge.

stop blaming the refs too!!!!

 

[youngjerryjones]

There’s still a chance the Cowboys can win the division and get the #1 seed. Of course it’s also possible it snows in Texas in July, but I digress.

In all seriousness, I’m not that worried about the Cowboys seeding right now. The reason I feel that way is I honestly believe this team is capable of a deep playoff run because they are capable. It will be a taller hill to climb for sure, but great teams are measured by what they overcome. The mental toughness it will take to win on the road in the playoffs is something this team can and must do.

So, I say embrace the challenge. I love the idea of winning 3 road playoff games against higher seeds. Why not? If you want to be great, you have to beat the best.

Here’s a short list of what this team must do to be tough enough to win a bunch of road playoff games:

• Play your best football from now on. Crisp execution with mental and physical toughness.
• Reduce the pre-snap penalties and other careless errors.
• Win the turnover battle.
• Make and accept no excuses. Just find a way to win.
• Stay as healthy as possible.

Sure, that is a “water is wet” list. But it’s true.
Hoping this team embraces whatever seed they accomplish. There’s still a lot of football left to play.
Here‘s hoping they embrace the challenge.

All we can do is take care of our own business including this home stretch to go 2-0...then let's see where that takes us in 3 weeks once PHI has been done playing DAL and SF...

3 weeks from now we may very be sitting at 10-3 vs 10-3 only needing the Eagles to lose 1 game in the remainder of the Season...where they will be playing a desperate SEA team trying to cling onto their WC spot. Us winning on Thursday puts the SEA in a position where the PHI game will be a must-win for them - which is exactly where we want to be. Other than that things our out of our control. Force SEA to play that game as a must win and your chances dramatically increase.

 

[rambo2]

You think we will be favored if we play the Eagles in a playoff game in Philly?

I actually think we match up better with the Eagles than the 49ers.

I suspect that Dallas will be a 4 point favorite in Dallas. Philly would be a 2 or 3 point favorite in Philly.

 

[Diehardblues]

I agree with you. But this team has a chance to achieve more. I‘m not predicting anything other than this team is good enough to do more than they have in a long time.

Will they? I don’t know. But they will have the chance.

Yes, they will have the opportunity but we don’t have any proven history we can achieve more or even any proven results that this team is good enough. Not yet anyway . And why this hype is unwarranted at this time .

It’s why the criticism and narratives are out there in full force . And unfortunately deservedly so .

Unless we think we will be facing teams like NYG. Wash , NYJ, LAR, LAC and Car in the playoffs.

We’ve been down this road before. Why can’t we pump the brakes until the results come in?

 

[Runwildboys]

There’s still a chance the Cowboys can win the division and get the #1 seed. Of course it’s also possible it snows in Texas in July, but I digress.

In all seriousness, I’m not that worried about the Cowboys seeding right now. The reason I feel that way is I honestly believe this team is capable of a deep playoff run because they are capable. It will be a taller hill to climb for sure, but great teams are measured by what they overcome. The mental toughness it will take to win on the road in the playoffs is something this team can and must do.

So, I say embrace the challenge. I love the idea of winning 3 road playoff games against higher seeds. Why not? If you want to be great, you have to beat the best.

Here’s a short list of what this team must do to be tough enough to win a bunch of road playoff games:

• Play your best football from now on. Crisp execution with mental and physical toughness.
• Reduce the pre-snap penalties and other careless errors.
• Win the turnover battle.
• Make and accept no excuses. Just find a way to win.
• Stay as healthy as possible.

Sure, that is a “water is wet” list. But it’s true.
Hoping this team embraces whatever seed they accomplish. There’s still a lot of football left to play.
Here‘s hoping they embrace the challenge.

The way I see it, this team needs to start the playoffs against a team they know will be a challenge, and beat them. I worry about them playing a lesser team and being lackadaisical for the following game.

 

[jgboys1]

I suspect that Dallas will be a 4 point favorite in Dallas. Philly would be a 2 or 3 point favorite in Philly.

That sounds about right. I would swap it to +4 in Philly and -3 at home. I still say Philly is still the better team. Not by much but definitely better. The Eagles have escaped with some crazy victories this saeson including their one over us.

 

[Diehardblues]

I suspect that Dallas will be a 4 point favorite in Dallas. Philly would be a 2 or 3 point favorite in Philly.

Phil was 3 1/2 point fav at home . Most likely Dall will be about the same at home .

Basically it’s a pic em game and as usual home team gets about 3 points.

Results of this weeks games could impact the line . A big Dallas win and Phil loss could increase Dallas line to 4. A Dallas loss and Phi win could lessen the line below 3.

 

[Diehardblues]

The way I see it, this team needs to start the playoffs against a team they know will be a challenge, and beat them. I worry about them playing a lesser team and being lackadaisical for the following game.

It doesn’t appear that’s going to be the situation unless winner of South division wins out.

I suppose we could lose several games and end up as 6th or 7th seed which would meet your criteria facing 2nd or 3rd seed in first round.

 

[rambo2]

It doesn’t appear that’s going to be the situation unless winner of South division wins out.

I suppose we could lose several games and end up as 6th or 7th seed which would meet your criteria facing 2nd or 3rd seed in first round.

Dallas will be the 5 or the 1.