Everything Cannot Happen in the Playoffs

[Blitzen]

This is not a thread about the Cowboys’ chances of making the playoffs. I wanted to see your thoughts on why it’s so important to fans just to make the playoffs. I see a recurring message from many of you that all a team needs to do is get in and get hot and who knows. Is it because of the really long time that all Cowboys fans have waited to see another Lombardi trophy for Dallas? Do you really feel that every team that makes the playoffs have equal chances at winning the SB?

Just a quick search of the past 25 years. Out of the past quarter of a century, seventeen times the SB matchup featured both teams no less than the three seed. 21 times no less than the 4 seed. Twenty four times featured a SB matchup with at least a two seed. Twenty times at least one team was a 1 seed. Out of the four wildcard teams to make the SB: 2020 Tom Brady and the Bucs. 2010 Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in his only appearance and win. 2007 NY Giants and their pass rush injured Tom Brady and the helmet catch. 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers crazy defense.

This is not to say that squeaking in to the playoffs means no chance at a SB, but it does illustrate the difference of qualifying and actually getting to the final game. I think many of you are so starved for glory that you are okay with the standard of making it in to the tournament (where half the league makes it). I think that this front office loves that message and would happily oblige this infinitely with zero chance at a SB if they could arrange that. That’s been the issue for me following this team for quite some time. They aim for the middle and hope they make the tournament. That’s the goal-nothing more. Make the tournament. If you watched the Netflix special, and listened to the legends of the 90’s Cowboys - what do you think Jimmy Johnson or Troy Aikman would say about that mission statement? Troy retired because of that mission statement.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I wanted to see your thoughts on why it’s so important to fans just to make the playoffs.

I don't get it. I would rather not make the playoffs than get embarrassed yet again.

Even if they find a way to sneak in, they aren't winning. Take the better draft pick

 

[Aven8]

Just get in. Duke basketball and UCLA, and Bama and Ohio St in football just kept/keep giving themselves chances. They didn’t win the whole thing each time but they had/have a chance. That’s what winning organizations do.

KC is 3-2 with Mahomes at QB in SB’s. You don’t win them all but if you don’t even make the playoffs you have no chance!

 

[Coogiguy03]

PLAYOFFS, we can't even win a game!

 

[Blitzen]

PLAYOFFS, we can't even win a game!

See first sentence of OP

 

[McKDaddy]

This is not to say that squeaking in to the playoffs means no chance at a SB, but it does illustrate the difference of qualifying and actually getting to the final game. I think many of you are so starved for glory that you are okay with the standard of making it in to the tournament (where half the league makes it). I think that this front office loves that message and would happily oblige this infinitely with zero chance at a SB if they could arrange that. That’s been the issue for me following this team for quite some time. They aim for the middle and hope they make the tournament. That’s the goal-nothing more. Make the tournament. If you watched the Netflix special, and listened to the legends of the 90’s Cowboys - what do you think Jimmy Johnson or Troy Aikman would say about that mission statement? Troy retired because of that mission statement.

Well said!! Can the mods pin this somewhere??

 

[DallasEast]

When I was younger, I would say reaching the playoffs demonstrated improvement that might be applied to the next season. In other words, a stepping stone towards the ultimate goal.

My opinion has eroded since 1996. Simply reaching the playoffs has not upgraded the franchise's opportunities to go further. Even going 12-5, 12-5, 12-5 demonstrated zero promise.

The team may have a slim chance of getting the season turned around. Perhaps even reach the playoffs, but what then for this season? Getting to the tournament means a chance of running the table for teams built for a run. Right now, this team is barely on life support.

For this season and this season alone, the team will either have its greatest in its nearly seven-decade history. Or it will have a repeat of its last 30 years, with nothing really to carryover into 2027.

 

[Blitzen]

Just get in. Duke basketball and UCLA, and Bama and Ohio St in football just kept/keep giving themselves chances. They didn’t win the whole thing each time but they had/have a chance. That’s what winning organizations do.

KC is 3-2 with Mahomes at QB in SB’s. You don’t win them all but if you don’t even make the playoffs you have no chance!

Do you think that KC Chiefs with Andy Reid really felt that way (just get in)? Alex Smith was performing well enough to get in (believe they qualified 4 out of his five seasons). Why did they feel the need to move on?

Winning organizations aim to win the final game and must eventually do it. Ohio State and Alabama football would not be known as winners if they kept qualifying and never won the final game. Buffalo Bills are known as winners by media and fans from their early 90’s SB appearances?

 

[Coogiguy03]

When I was younger, I would say reaching the playoffs demonstrated improvement that might be applied to the next season. In other words, a stepping stone towards the ultimate goal.

My opinion has eroded since 1996. Simply reaching the playoffs has not upgraded the franchise's opportunities to go further. Even going 12-5, 12-5, 12-5 demonstrated zero promise.

The team may have a slim chance of getting the season turned around. Perhaps even reach the playoffs, but what then for this season? Getting to the tournament means a chance of running the table for teams built for a run. Right now, this team is barely on life support.

For this season and this season alone, the team will either have its greatest in its nearly seven-decade history. Or it will have a repeat of its last 30 years, with nothing really to carryover into 2027.

When you were younger that was 2 million years ago!!

 

[Blitzen]

When I was younger, I would say reaching the playoffs demonstrated improvement that might be applied to the next season. In other words, a stepping stone towards the ultimate goal.

My opinion has eroded since 1996. Simply reaching the playoffs has not upgraded the franchise's opportunities to go further. Even going 12-5, 12-5, 12-5 demonstrated zero promise.

The team may have a slim chance of getting the season turned around. Perhaps even reach the playoffs, but what then for this season? Getting to the tournament means a chance of running the table for teams built for a run. Right now, this team is barely on life support.

For this season and this season alone, the team will either have its greatest in its nearly seven-decade history. Or it will have a repeat of its last 30 years, with nothing really to carryover into 2027.

I agree. It would feel differently if the team was just building with tons of new young players. This team is built with the 33 year old QB as its centerpiece, and is trying to win this year. All the chips are being pushed to the middle for this season. But to what end-why the urgency to just make the playoffs? Because they have missed the past two seasons and that’s bad for branding?

 

[CT Dal Fan]

In a nutshell, this is the Jerry Jones mentality. As long as the Cowboys are relevant and the "chance" exists, he is happy. How many times have we heard Jerry and Stephen proclaim "we were right there", especially after the three straight 12-5 seasons (which produced exactly one playoff win)?

Jerry's Boys no longer care about championships. They just care about being talked about, which makes money. Sad but this is the reality we've lived in for three decades and counting now.

 

[Rockport]

This is not a thread about the Cowboys’ chances of making the playoffs. I wanted to see your thoughts on why it’s so important to fans just to make the playoffs. I see a recurring message from many of you that all a team needs to do is get in and get hot and who knows. Is it because of the really long time that all Cowboys fans have waited to see another Lombardi trophy for Dallas? Do you really feel that every team that makes the playoffs have equal chances at winning the SB?

Just a quick search of the past 25 years. Out of the past quarter of a century, seventeen times the SB matchup featured both teams no less than the three seed. 21 times no less than the 4 seed. Twenty four times featured a SB matchup with at least a two seed. Twenty times at least one team was a 1 seed. Out of the four wildcard teams to make the SB: 2020 Tom Brady and the Bucs. 2010 Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in his only appearance and win. 2007 NY Giants and their pass rush injured Tom Brady and the helmet catch. 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers crazy defense.

This is not to say that squeaking in to the playoffs means no chance at a SB, but it does illustrate the difference of qualifying and actually getting to the final game. I think many of you are so starved for glory that you are okay with the standard of making it in to the tournament (where half the league makes it). I think that this front office loves that message and would happily oblige this infinitely with zero chance at a SB if they could arrange that. That’s been the issue for me following this team for quite some time. They aim for the middle and hope they make the tournament. That’s the goal-nothing more. Make the tournament. If you watched the Netflix special, and listened to the legends of the 90’s Cowboys - what do you think Jimmy Johnson or Troy Aikman would say about that mission statement? Troy retired because of that mission statement.

I’ve not seen 1 person say they just want to make the playoffs. There’s only 1 goal and that’s the SB. You have to make the playoffs to get to the SB.

 

[b0xZZ]

All us making the playoffs means is the Jets get a worse pick. After watching last night's game and watching well coached talented teams there is zero to be excited about with the Cowboys, we are not even close to being on the same level with those top teams.

 

[Kwyn]

This is not a thread about the Cowboys’ chances of making the playoffs. I wanted to see your thoughts on why it’s so important to fans just to make the playoffs. I see a recurring message from many of you that all a team needs to do is get in and get hot and who knows. Is it because of the really long time that all Cowboys fans have waited to see another Lombardi trophy for Dallas? Do you really feel that every team that makes the playoffs have equal chances at winning the SB?

Just a quick search of the past 25 years. Out of the past quarter of a century, seventeen times the SB matchup featured both teams no less than the three seed. 21 times no less than the 4 seed. Twenty four times featured a SB matchup with at least a two seed. Twenty times at least one team was a 1 seed. Out of the four wildcard teams to make the SB: 2020 Tom Brady and the Bucs. 2010 Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in his only appearance and win. 2007 NY Giants and their pass rush injured Tom Brady and the helmet catch. 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers crazy defense.

This is not to say that squeaking in to the playoffs means no chance at a SB, but it does illustrate the difference of qualifying and actually getting to the final game. I think many of you are so starved for glory that you are okay with the standard of making it in to the tournament (where half the league makes it). I think that this front office loves that message and would happily oblige this infinitely with zero chance at a SB if they could arrange that. That’s been the issue for me following this team for quite some time. They aim for the middle and hope they make the tournament. That’s the goal-nothing more. Make the tournament. If you watched the Netflix special, and listened to the legends of the 90’s Cowboys - what do you think Jimmy Johnson or Troy Aikman would say about that mission statement? Troy retired because of that mission statement.

What mission statement? Troy retired because of a mission statement?

 

[erod]

Crapping the bed in the playoffs is worse than going 5-12.

The Cowboys aren't even competitive when they get there unless it's a wild card game against a pretender.

Losing in the playoffs is somewhat acceptable if you play well, but that hasn't been the case here.

 

[phildadon86]

I don't get it. I would rather not make the playoffs than get embarrassed yet again.

Even if they find a way to sneak in, they aren't winning. Take the better draft pick

Unfortunately unless GB and Dallas both do really bad we are probably picking in the middle of round 1.

 

[phildadon86]

Crapping the bed in the playoffs is worse than going 5-12.

The Cowboys aren't even competitive when they get there unless it's a wild card game against a pretender.

Losing in the playoffs is somewhat acceptable if you play well, but that hasn't been the case here.

The only people who want us to go to the playoffs only to get absolutely curb stomped are fans that would rather say "told ya so" than build a winning football team

Their need to get to the playoffs regardless of outcome so they can be right outweighs the good of this team.

Same reason they just cant let go of Dak regardless of all of the evidence why they should.

Its funny though. They say the same thing about Jerry.

 

[mrmojo]

I remember when making the playoffs was the low bar and losing in the NFC Championship or Suprt Bowl was devestating , but those teams were so consistent that they would just reload and have a chance to make those games again the next year.

There has been no consustency in the organization for the last 30 years......no plan, no vision.........wiinning a weak division and losing in the first round this year isnt going to change that.

 

[Blitzen]

I’ve not seen 1 person say they just want to make the playoffs. There’s only 1 goal and that’s the SB. You have to make the playoffs to get to the SB.

Nuance bro. My statement above was to delineate making the playoffs and actually making it to the final game. Based on history you need a first ballot HOF QB or a defense with a few HOF players or nominated HOF players if you are going to squeak in and make it.

I’ve heard several people say-just get in and who knows. Not true. The enormous bulk of the time, you do know. History tells us that much. However, do you actually feel this front office’s main aim is to make and win the the SB-or is it to make sure they get to participate in the tournament every few years (without much thought to the SB)?

 

[CWR]

"Playoffs?! Don’t talk about—playoffs?! You kidding me? Playoffs?! I just hope we can win a game! Another game."

Someone had to pull the quote.

Yeah im not talking about it. The only idea now would be to keep hope alive long enough to be playing well when we made the playoffs. If not, theres little point. Ive seen this team back into the playoffs and it never goes well.