If we make it to the playoff in 2014, Are we super bowl legitimate contenders?

[jday]

If we make it to the playoff in 2014, Are we super bowl legitimate contenders?

I know I lost of you guys have lost hope for this season. With the schedule coming out the rest of us (myself included) realized how REAL things just got. However IF Dallas wins the division and make it to the playoff could we be considered a real contender for the Super Bowl. I don't mean if we back our way in via the wildcard. But if the Cowboys win the NFC East, with their schedule would you consider them a contender to go to the Super Bowl and not just a case of dumb luck?

I think I would rather witness first hand that actually happening before I answer that question. There are alot of variables to consider and I would really like a little first hand knowledge of how they got there before I say I'm buying in, so to speak. While I support it, the Cowboys got weaker with this offseasons youth movement. With the strength of their schedule, I'm actually predicting a year of decline; but with this years draft and a high picking order in next years draft could launch this team back into contention.

 

[jday]

People who see our schedule and throw in the towel early clearly do not know football.

Easy games end up being hard, harder games end up being easier, etc.

It is hard to predict the outcome regardless of how a schedule looks. It really annoys me when fans call it a lost season because of the schedule.

Witnessing last year and free agency is really all it takes to give up on this team...unless you are expecting a combination of miracle turn arounds and Free Agent acquisition showing up in much the same way Selvie did last year, this teams chances would be questionable even with the weakest possible schedule. But with two solid drafts, there is no question the Cowboys could turn it around. I just don't expect it to happen this year.

 

[Lonestar94]

As long as we have romo we are contenders, period.

Haters aren't Gonna like this

 

[Cowboy06]

Anything is possible. We still have the draft, key free agent signings, OTAs, Training Camp, and the overall development of young players. You never know who is going to take a big step forward. However, at this time, I don't think we are better than 6-10 to 8-8. Why? history shows that this time is just average. However, if they get more linemen on both sides of the ball and get better competition at all positions, even QB they will make the playoffs. When you get the playoffs absolutely anything is possible.

 

[Bullflop]

Right now, I'd be dishonest in saying I thought we have a chance to be legitimate SB contenders. You'll notice I prefaced that statement with 'Right now,' though. Fact of the matter is there's a lot of ground to cover between now and season's end. A lot can and usually does happen before the draft occurs, not to mention OTCs, then TC and finally the regular season. Anything's possible. Do I think it's likely? No. Is it possible? Yes -- although the odds are extremely minimal.

 

[Beast_from_East]

That draft hasn't even got here yet, and we always get these type of threads for a unknown team. This could be a completely different team at the start of the season, but hey go ahead and claim 0-16 if you want lol.

I don't think anybody is really predicting 0-16, but I do read a lot "wait till after the draft".

What rookie or rookies are going to significantly add to the win total in their first season? It usually takes time for rookies to adjust from the college game to the pro game and thinking a rookie or group of rookies are going to add 2 or 3 wins to your season all by themselves is not reasonable in my opinion.

In other words, what ever the talent level of the roster is today (say 7 or 8 wins) is not going to significantly change by adding rookies from the draft. Maybe 1 more game could be expected if the rookies really preform from day 1.

I just don't see the logical connection between "we are an 8 win team today but an 11 win team after the draft".......................that is unrealistic expectations from a rookie draft class.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I don't think anybody is really predicting 0-16, but I do read a lot "wait till after the draft".

What rookie or rookies are going to significantly add to the win total in their first season? It usually takes time for rookies to adjust from the college game to the pro game and thinking a rookie or group of rookies are going to add 2 or 3 wins to your season all by themselves is not reasonable in my opinion.

In other words, what ever the talent level of the roster is today (say 7 or 8 wins) is not going to significantly change by adding rookies from the draft. Maybe 1 more game could be expected if the rookies really preform from day 1.

I just don't see the logical connection between "we are an 8 win team today but an 11 win team after the draft".......................that is unrealistic expectations from a rookie draft class.

Exactly. We most likely aren't even picking high enough to get a true game changer, like a Clowney or Mack.

The other thing the "draft will save us" people are somehow forgetting... Unless I missed something, everyone else in the league gets to draft, too. Yes, we should get better, but so should they.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Dallas is already a contender, primarily because the Cowboys have the best Fans in the NFL.

 

[Idgit]

I don't think anybody is really predicting 0-16, but I do read a lot "wait till after the draft".

What rookie or rookies are going to significantly add to the win total in their first season? It usually takes time for rookies to adjust from the college game to the pro game and thinking a rookie or group of rookies are going to add 2 or 3 wins to your season all by themselves is not reasonable in my opinion.

In other words, what ever the talent level of the roster is today (say 7 or 8 wins) is not going to significantly change by adding rookies from the draft. Maybe 1 more game could be expected if the rookies really preform from day 1.

I just don't see the logical connection between "we are an 8 win team today but an 11 win team after the draft".......................that is unrealistic expectations from a rookie draft class.

I don't think that's necessarily true. Look at last year's rookie contributions, for example. Or at how second year players like Leary stepped up to be significant contributors. Or at how players like Brian Waters or, this year, maybe Anthony Spencer were signed late and had the opportunity to contribute.

The reason people are saying to wait until after he draft is because our potential starting roster isn't anywhere near set yet. We can still add starters at three or four positions, conceivably. How is anybody going to give you expectations for a defense when the WDE, S, and SLB positions are still up in the air, for example? Not all of those positions may end up filled by rookies. But some of them might. We're probably going to add 8-10 players to the current 53 man roster before it's all said and done. That's a significant chunk of our roster.

 

[Idgit]

Exactly. We most likely aren't even picking high enough to get a true game changer, like a Clowney or Mack.

The other thing the "draft will save us" people are somehow forgetting... Unless I missed something, everyone else in the league gets to draft, too. Yes, we should get better, but so should they.

Remind me to go back and look for a The Draft Will Save Us post when I get a chance.

 

[windward]

I have been on Good Ship Lolly Pop Bus for so many years predicting double-digit wins and playoffs (see my signature which desperately needs an update). But the ship has docked, the bus has flat tires, and I am no longer predicting success for this club - at least not this season.

I believe they will have double-digit losses, and I don't believe they'll sniff the playoffs unless they purchase tickets from a team that's going.

Having said that, if this team makes it to the playoffs, they'll be out before halftime. Heck, they'll be done before the coin toss.

That's such a silly statement to make in May.

 

[tyke1doe]

That's such a silly statement to make in May.

If forecasts based on previous patterns are silly, sure. (I'm sure this is the case in the Bizarro World.)

But such forecasts are made all the time. And using previous data to predict future results is anything but silly.

It's quite scientific, in fact.

 

[tyke1doe]

As long as we have romo we are contenders, period.

Haters aren't Gonna like this

Based on the "wait and see crowd" approach, no, he's not.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

As long as we have romo we are contenders, period.

Haters aren't Gonna like this

I'm not a hater but they need a lot more than a good quarterback.

 

[CrownCowboy]

This team is not a Super Bowl contender and they really aren't close in my opinion.

Playoffs or not.

 

[casmith07]

If we make it to the playoff in 2014, Are we super bowl legitimate contenders?

I know I lost of you guys have lost hope for this season. With the schedule coming out the rest of us (myself included) realized how REAL things just got. However IF Dallas wins the division and make it to the playoff could we be considered a real contender for the Super Bowl. I don't mean if we back our way in via the wildcard. But if the Cowboys win the NFC East, with their schedule would you consider them a contender to go to the Super Bowl and not just a case of dumb luck?

Yes. I believe that any team that makes it to the playoffs has the ability to get on a hot streak and make it to the big game. Recent examples would be the Seahawks who lost to the Steelers, the NY Giants in both recent victories, the Arizona Cardinals, and even the Baltimore Ravens (Joe Flacco played the 4-game streak of his life).

Anything can happen in the post-season. The hard part is getting there with everyone healthy and ready to roll.

 

[casmith07]

I do not believe the team can lay claim to being a legitimate Super Bowl contender until it wins that elusive first playoff game. It does not matter if Dallas struggles (as generally expected) and squeak into the tournament or blows folks out of their socks with a fantastic regular season run. None of it will matter until the Cowboys establish that they are good enough and re-enforce they are good enough to contend with the rest of the playoff field.

The first step must be solidly winning either that wild card or divisional round game. Solidly does not necessarily mean convincingly. It simply means playing well enough to advance with few (or zero) coaching goofs and spotty player execution. Playing well would instill confidence and determination for taking the second step and increasing the opportunity for winning in the next round. Until then, it's all speculation.

We beat Philadelphia at home in 2011 during our 11-5 campaign, winning the division.

 

[Ranched]

I have been on Good Ship Lolly Pop Bus for so many years predicting double-digit wins and playoffs (see my signature which desperately needs an update). But the ship has docked, the bus has flat tires, and I am no longer predicting success for this club - at least not this season.

I believe they will have double-digit losses, and I don't believe they'll sniff the playoffs unless they purchase tickets from a team that's going.

Having said that, if this team makes it to the playoffs, they'll be out before halftime. Heck, they'll be done before the coin toss.

Gawd you're depressing.

 

[tideh20heel]

I feel like we are gonna make a more serious run at Jameis Winston than another Lombardi.

 

[dcstands4]

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even asking this question shows that the OP got a F in Football 101Maybe OP hasn't seen a Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl team? Because they certainly didn't look anything like this team!! .

People who see our schedule and throw in the towel early clearly do not know football.

Easy games end up being hard, harder games end up being easier, etc.

It is hard to predict the outcome regardless of how a schedule looks. It really annoys me when fans call it a lost season because of the schedule.

This post was made based upon the schedule. This is not a post that ask Will we make it to the super bowl, not even will we make it to the playoffs. My question is being that we have a very tought schedule considering playoff teams 49ers, Saints and Colts and would be playoff team in ARZ. Plus Seattle and a always tought Rams and Bears team in THEIR house. IF and IF this team dug deep and found a way to make it to the playoff would we be a team that could force our way into the big game.

I know that 95 percent of the people on this board hate or have lost faith in this team but IF this team COULD come and win the division after this schedule how could you not consider the fact?