Everything Cannot Happen in the Playoffs

[Forneymike]

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.

Parcells taught Jerry this idea. Just make the tournament was Parcells mantra

 

[Flamma]

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?

I wish I could have liked this post twice. If your the winner of a division with 4 bad teams, you're still a bad team. You're not going anywhere. Bad teams don't win championships. Only the delusional think that any playoff team can win a championship. There was a time that was the case, but now that almost 50% of the league makes the playoffs, not so much.

 

[Nova]

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 think that's because this team just isn't normal.

It's like the culture is incapable of preparing them for how the playoffs are a different animal.

Some teams, with real weaknesses, manage to overcome them because the mindset just flips. The 2011 Giants. The 2012 Ravens. The 2020 Bucs. The 2023 Chiefs.

They grind out ugly wins. They play desperately. The Cowboys seem like they're incapable of that.

And that's the thing I think we all internalize. The Cowboys need to be overwhelmingly good to overcome their own country club disposition, and that can't really happen when you're consistently contending for a playoff spot and ruining draft position. Rosters can't be built that way.

 

[DallasEast]

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?

Like all things, I believe individual fans' opinions differ according to personal perspective. To coincide with your questions, I believe some fans' urgency is rooted in the perception that playoff berths are equal championship opportunities for all fourteen qualifying teams. That perception may or may not be somewhat influenced by the historical reality of a few low seeds running the table, so 'anything is possible'.

It may be equally true that some fans equate non-playoff, regular season finishes as negative strikes against the franchise's image. It would be an opinion shared by the owner and general manager, who has often placed high emphasis on his team simply reaching the postseason.

They would be correct, but only partially. Every team sports league member's goal is winning it all. It is equally true at all levels of every sport. Or, at least, that should be every sports teams' goal. It is an unquestionable fact every team cannot win championships every single year, but it does not minimize or deflect from the required motivation needed by any team to create opportunities to win it all.

The last observation is the most important of the two. Every team must have an organizer that can balance-and-combine all the elements--the right coaches and players--into a cohesive championship-caliber unit. That singular focus inspires a working environment conducive to nurturing and exploiting the best out of its team. Dallas has been lacking that organizer--that leader--for decades. It is a fundamental problem not only ignored by the man to whom the buck ends. It is not fully acknowledged by those on the outside looking into this organization also.

 

[DallasEast]

I think that's because this team just isn't normal.

It's like the culture is incapable of preparing them for how the playoffs are a different animal.

Some teams, with real weaknesses, manage to overcome them because the mindset just flips. The 2011 Giants. The 2012 Ravens. The 2020 Bucs. The 2023 Chiefs.

They grind out ugly wins. They play desperately. The Cowboys seem like they're incapable of that.

And that's the thing I think we all internalize. The Cowboys need to be overwhelmingly good to overcome their own country club disposition, and that can't really happen when you're consistently contending for a playoff spot and ruining draft position. Rosters can't be built that way.

100% agree.

 

[phildadon86]

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.

You literally just told me to go cheer for the Eagles in my "why do you want to make the playoffs thread".

You think they are winning a SB this year? lol.

You are the one who literally JUST WANTS TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS so you can come here and make a thread. Get lost troll.

 

[Rockport]

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)?

You obviously haven’t been around too long and are not educated on the NFL. None of what you stated is true. Teams catch fire every year in the playoffs and carry that to the SB.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

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!

LOL....are you really comparing this here mediocre team with a highly ranked major college basketball or football team that doesn't win the ship..? Thanks for trying though.

 

[MarkP88]

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.

The 2007 Giants were the worst thing that ever happened to Jerry - at least, post-Jimmy. He (and many others) viewed them as a team that got hot at the right time and was able to string together some wins when nobody expected it. The truth is, they were a mentally tough team that was well coached and raised their game as the stakes got higher. The Cowboys of that year were a mentally weak team with weak coaching who thought they'd cakewalk to the NFCCG. (I knew they would lose when I heard Jerry put tickets to the Championship game in their lockers...)

That Giants team was built with a specific philosophy in mind, and they overcame adversity in the regular season and reached their potential in the postseason.

The 2020 Bucs mission from day one was to win it all. They were led by an all-time competitor and a great coach. The 2010 Packers had prim Rodgers, a still trying to make his mark McCarthy, and that Dom Capers defense. Again, great coaching and talent. No luck involved.

This has been another episode of Jerry Jones is a moron and this team will never, ever win anything of note until he and his progeny are gone.

 

[Blitzen]

You obviously haven’t been around too long and are not educated on the NFL. None of what you stated is true. Teams catch fire every year in the playoffs and carry that to the SB.

Again back to nuance. Are you making the argument that the number one seeds are catching fire and making the SB? Because that happens quite often (one of the 1 seeds or two or even 3 seeds making it to the SB). Great teams did not catch fire for the playoffs-they were on fire for the regular season and carried it into the playoffs. Of the four times that the Cowboys played the tournament in a seeding system and won the SB-they were ranked 1st twice in the conference and 2nd twice.

 

[Rockport]

Again back to nuance. Are you making the argument that the number one seeds are catching fire and making the SB? Because that happens quite often (one of the 1 seeds or two or even 3 seeds making it to the SB). Great teams did not catch fire for the playoffs-they were on fire for the regular season and carried it into the playoffs. Of the four times that the Cowboys played the tournament in a seeding system and won the SB-they were ranked 1st twice in the conference and 2nd twice.

I’m saying ANYONE can catch fire in the playoffs. Like the Giants did in 2011. They were 7-7 with 2 games left, made the playoffs at 9-7 and went on to win the Super Bowl. That’s just 1 example.

 

[GMO415]

IF YOU'RE NOT FIXED ON 6TH DON'T TAKE THE FIELD.

 

[5Stars]

I’m saying ANYONE can catch fire in the playoffs. Like the Giants did in 2011. They were 7-7 with 2 games left, made the playoffs at 9-7 and went on to win the Super Bowl. That’s just 1 example.

That smoke has been going on for 30 years, still no fire. Another example for the simple minded Rockport.

 

[Rockport]

That smoke has been going on for 30 years, still no fire. Another example for the simple minded Rockport.

I just showed proof it’s possible so who’s the simple minded fool?

 

[5Stars]

I just showed proof it’s possible so who’s the simple minded fool?

You showed other teams, this is the Cowboys this thread is about. 30 years. And then you go back to 2011. Very foolish, yeah you.

 

[Blitzen]

I’m saying ANYONE can catch fire in the playoffs. Like the Giants did in 2011. They were 7-7 with 2 games left, made the playoffs at 9-7 and went on to win the Super Bowl. That’s just 1 example.

And that’s one of a tiny population. Only a couple of other examples. And from what history tells us, you need an exceptional defense likely with HOF type individuals throughout. And 90 percent of the time the team better be in the top three teams in the conference with a great record (already on fire). Those are the teams that are there at the end. When you say EVERY YEAR a team comes out of nowhere to catch fire…-you could adjust that to every 10-12 years a team comes out of nowhere to make the SB unless they are starting a first ballot no doubt HOF QB-just for accuracy based on historical fact.