I think we need the division

RustyBourneHorse

RustyBourneHorse

Well-Known Member
Messages
47,528
Reaction score
55,222
Right now, here is a link to the current playoff picture.

https://www.nfl.com/standings/playoff-picture

I think we need the division. We have a chance to do something this year. However, with the way we are playing, I think it'd be much easier to win it all via a home playoff game.

I know many of you will point back to 2023, however, I think this team is much different in than 2023. We have far more heart now than we did then. We have a lot more to play for than then. Plus, I think the playoffs picture would be easier at home.

Lets look at 2 scenarios. We're currently 6-5-1. If Seattle were to lose on Sunday against the Vikings, they'd have the same 8-4 record as Philly. In that case, Philly apparently has the tiebreaker on Seattle (https://www.playoffstatus.com/nfl/nfc-tiebreakers.html). So, let's say hypothetically (since this is a forum, hypotheticals should be fine), we win out and finish 11-5-1, Philly ends up being 11-6, Seattle ends up 11-6, and Green Bay ends up 10-6-1 (I think they split with Chicago). Then you have L.A. as the 1 seed, Chicago as the 2 seed, Cowboys as the 3 seed, Tampa (if their position stays the same), Philly as the 5 seed, Seattle as the 6 seed, and Green Bay as the 7 seed.

Conversely, let's say we finish 10-6-1 and the rest of the records stay the same as I stated. We'd have the 7 seed because Green Bay has the conference record on us. That means we're playing at Chicago on Wild Card weekend.

Given the two scenarios, I think our best chance, if we are going to make the most of the playoffs, is scenario 1. Regardless, it'd be an amazing turnaround to make the playoffs considering how things started for us. However, it we are going to make the most of the playoffs, I think we need to win the division. The good news is, we just need to match Philly on wins by the end of the season. The other good news is that it's really only a two win difference. Plus, we would have the division tiebreaker if it really came down to it.
 
I have posted a few posts in other threads, but if you want the simplest updated answer ..

** These all assume the Cowboys win every remaining game ..

For the division:
  • The Cowboys are 2 games behind the Eagles, so they need the Eagles to lose 2+ games. The Eagles are 4-4 in their last 8 games and have scored 10, 16, 21 and 15 points in their last 4 games. The Eagles still have to play the Chargers (away) and Bills (away) as their toughest games.
For the wildcard:

The Cowboys are behind 4 teams for the 3 wildcard spots.
  • The Lions are 7-5 and if the Cowboys beat them next week, the Cowboys will move ahead of the Lions, so that would leave only 1 team ahead of them for the last wildcard spot.

  • The Cowboys are 3 games behind the Seahawks. Their toughest remaining games are Colts (home), Rams (home) and 49ers (away).

  • The Cowboys are 3 games behind the Packers due to being -2 games in the second tiebreaker which is NFC conference record. Their toughest remaining games are the Bears (twice .. home/away) and the Broncos (away). I think the third tiebreaker is common opponents (I haven't checked this in a couple of years though), and I believe the Packers would have the advantage there as well so assume it would take overcoming 3 games to get ahead of the Packers.

  • The Cowboys are 2 games behind the 49ers. Their toughest remaining games are Colts (away) and Bears (home).
As it stands now, the simplest paths to making the playoffs are:

1) Eagles lose 2+ games and the Cowboys win out, Cowboys win division, get 3rd or 4th seed and at least one home game.

2) 49ers lose 2+ games and the Cowboys win out, Cowboys get 7th wildcard seed.


Those are not the only paths and a lot of weird things can happen over the final weeks of the season.

NFL history is full of examples of teams collapsing at the end of the season, including the Cowboys, so you never know how things will play out.

For now, the Cowboys need to assume that any loss will end their season so they just need to keep winning and if they do that, we will have a better idea of their chances after the next couple of weeks.
 
With Chicago winning, it made the wildcard that much harder. The Cowboys best chance is for Philly to implode. I really wanted GB to win that division to eliminate any tiebreaker with them for a WC. If Buffalo has something to play for against Philly, I like our chances at the division. Of course, Dallas still has to win out. Get past Detroit and this becomes more real.
 
dont think Eagles will lose 2 more,,their Schedule is easy,including the beat up Bills.
 
RustyBourneHorse said:
Right now, here is a link to the current playoff picture.

https://www.nfl.com/standings/playoff-picture

I think we need the division. We have a chance to do something this year. However, with the way we are playing, I think it'd be much easier to win it all via a home playoff game.

I know many of you will point back to 2023, however, I think this team is much different in than 2023. We have far more heart now than we did then. We have a lot more to play for than then. Plus, I think the playoffs picture would be easier at home.

Lets look at 2 scenarios. We're currently 6-5-1. If Seattle were to lose on Sunday against the Vikings, they'd have the same 8-4 record as Philly. In that case, Philly apparently has the tiebreaker on Seattle (https://www.playoffstatus.com/nfl/nfc-tiebreakers.html). So, let's say hypothetically (since this is a forum, hypotheticals should be fine), we win out and finish 11-5-1, Philly ends up being 11-6, Seattle ends up 11-6, and Green Bay ends up 10-6-1 (I think they split with Chicago). Then you have L.A. as the 1 seed, Chicago as the 2 seed, Cowboys as the 3 seed, Tampa (if their position stays the same), Philly as the 5 seed, Seattle as the 6 seed, and Green Bay as the 7 seed.

Conversely, let's say we finish 10-6-1 and the rest of the records stay the same as I stated. We'd have the 7 seed because Green Bay has the conference record on us. That means we're playing at Chicago on Wild Card weekend.

Given the two scenarios, I think our best chance, if we are going to make the most of the playoffs, is scenario 1. Regardless, it'd be an amazing turnaround to make the playoffs considering how things started for us. However, it we are going to make the most of the playoffs, I think we need to win the division. The good news is, we just need to match Philly on wins by the end of the season. The other good news is that it's really only a two win difference. Plus, we would have the division tiebreaker if it really came down to it.
Click to expand...
Good post.

All we can do is focus on what we're doing, and just win, baby, win.
 
reddyuta said:
dont think Eagles will lose 2 more,,their Schedule is easy,including the beat up Bills.
Click to expand...

I think Buffalo can beat them, and I think if the Chargers are on their game, they can get Philly. Also, who's to say Washington can't split with them. So, I see at most 3 potential losses for Philly (unless they go into a tailspin, in which all bets are off, and they've imploded before). So, we basically have to win out. However, if we can beat Detroit, I think we can do it.
 
Oh Rusty. I love your enthusiasm. You weren’t even a colt for the glory days so you’re fired up.

Hope it happens for all of us.

But, one game at a time.
 
MountaineerCowboy said:
That's what happens when you wait until you're 3-5-1 and start trying.
Click to expand...

I will say, it's a shame we didn't get Q sooner. That said, we are where we are, and we have a chance. That's all we can really ask for now. We just have to control what we can, and let the chips fall where they may.
 
Kwyn said:
Oh Rusty. I love your enthusiasm. You weren’t even a colt for the glory days so you’re fired up.

Hope it happens for all of us.

But, one game at a time.
Click to expand...

I appreciate that. I'm not saying it'll happen, but, strategically, I think we want the division if we are going to make it. I think that gives us the best chance. I don't think playing in Chicago or Green Bay in January bodes well for us given our strengths, assuming we make the playoffs. Playing in Arlington, Tampa, or weirdly LA (because it's indoors) does.
 
Reality said:
I have posted a few posts in other threads, but if you want the simplest updated answer ..

** These all assume the Cowboys win every remaining game ..

For the division:
  • The Cowboys are 2 games behind the Eagles, so they need the Eagles to lose 2+ games. The Eagles are 4-4 in their last 8 games and have scored 10, 16, 21 and 15 points in their last 4 games. The Eagles still have to play the Chargers (away) and Bills (away) as their toughest games.
For the wildcard:

The Cowboys are behind 4 teams for the 3 wildcard spots.
  • The Lions are 7-5 and if the Cowboys beat them next week, the Cowboys will move ahead of the Lions, so that would leave only 1 team ahead of them for the last wildcard spot.

  • The Cowboys are 3 games behind the Seahawks. Their toughest remaining games are Colts (home), Rams (home) and 49ers (away).

  • The Cowboys are 3 games behind the Packers due to being -2 games in the second tiebreaker which is NFC conference record. Their toughest remaining games are the Bears (twice .. home/away) and the Broncos (away). I think the third tiebreaker is common opponents (I haven't checked this in a couple of years though), and I believe the Packers would have the advantage there as well so assume it would take overcoming 3 games to get ahead of the Packers.

  • The Cowboys are 2 games behind the 49ers. Their toughest remaining games are Colts (away) and Bears (home).
As it stands now, the simplest paths to making the playoffs are:

1) Eagles lose 2+ games and the Cowboys win out, Cowboys win division, get 3rd or 4th seed and at least one home game.

2) 49ers lose 2+ games and the Cowboys win out, Cowboys get 7th wildcard seed.


Those are not the only paths and a lot of weird things can happen over the final weeks of the season.

NFL history is full of examples of teams collapsing at the end of the season, including the Cowboys, so you never know how things will play out.

For now, the Cowboys need to assume that any loss will end their season so they just need to keep winning and if they do that, we will have a better idea of their chances after the next couple of weeks.
Click to expand...
Thanks
 
Reality said:
I have posted a few posts in other threads, but if you want the simplest updated answer ..

** These all assume the Cowboys win every remaining game ..

For the division:
  • The Cowboys are 2 games behind the Eagles, so they need the Eagles to lose 2+ games. The Eagles are 4-4 in their last 8 games and have scored 10, 16, 21 and 15 points in their last 4 games. The Eagles still have to play the Chargers (away) and Bills (away) as their toughest games.
For the wildcard:

The Cowboys are behind 4 teams for the 3 wildcard spots.
  • The Lions are 7-5 and if the Cowboys beat them next week, the Cowboys will move ahead of the Lions, so that would leave only 1 team ahead of them for the last wildcard spot.

  • The Cowboys are 3 games behind the Seahawks. Their toughest remaining games are Colts (home), Rams (home) and 49ers (away).

  • The Cowboys are 3 games behind the Packers due to being -2 games in the second tiebreaker which is NFC conference record. Their toughest remaining games are the Bears (twice .. home/away) and the Broncos (away). I think the third tiebreaker is common opponents (I haven't checked this in a couple of years though), and I believe the Packers would have the advantage there as well so assume it would take overcoming 3 games to get ahead of the Packers.

  • The Cowboys are 2 games behind the 49ers. Their toughest remaining games are Colts (away) and Bears (home).
As it stands now, the simplest paths to making the playoffs are:

1) Eagles lose 2+ games and the Cowboys win out, Cowboys win division, get 3rd or 4th seed and at least one home game.

2) 49ers lose 2+ games and the Cowboys win out, Cowboys get 7th wildcard seed.


Those are not the only paths and a lot of weird things can happen over the final weeks of the season.

NFL history is full of examples of teams collapsing at the end of the season, including the Cowboys, so you never know how things will play out.

For now, the Cowboys need to assume that any loss will end their season so they just need to keep winning and if they do that, we will have a better idea of their chances after the next couple of weeks.
Click to expand...

Exactly, and we are getting hot at the right time.
 
Something tells me if we beat Detroit we will drop one where were a big favorite....
 
reddyuta said:
dont think Eagles will lose 2 more,,their Schedule is easy,including the beat up Bills.
Click to expand...
Not

In LA for the Chargers is a challenge

In Buffalo against a desperate Josh Allen is a challenge

Two games against Washington likely with Jayden Daniels playing, with Washington trying to play spoiler...these could both be tough

Only easy one is against the Raiders
 
KMY_Amber said:
Not

In LA for the Chargers is a challenge

In Buffalo against a desperate Josh Allen is a challenge

Two games against Washington likely with Jayden Daniels playing, with Washington trying to play spoiler...these could both be tough

Only easy one is against the Raiders
Click to expand...

Honestly, if Philly goes into a tail spin, who knows? There have been seasons where they literally can't beat anyone when they get into a full implosion.
 
Way too far down the road…lions game won’t be easy and we have no wiggle room. Beat Detroit, right now that’s the closest way to be in the playoff conversation
 
The eagles do have a history of imploding. And easily can lose 2 more games, and likely will. But the Cowboys can't be thinking that way. They need to be thinking, "just win out". Ignore all the noise and focus on playing their best. Treat each remaining game like a playoff game. They can control that. I feel like Schottenheimer has their attention and knows how to get them prepared to play their best. The Lions on the road is a massive game. The Cowboys will win the superbowl if they simply play their best imo.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Staff online

Members online

... and 93 more.
Total: 4,714 (members: 193, guests: 4,521)
Robots: 1,189

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
474,003
Messages
14,505,684
Members
24,207
Latest member
TomGiantsfan
Back
Top