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

[Nova]

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

Haters aren't Gonna like this

We were contenders last year?


O.K.

 

[50cent]

Depends on how we got to the postseason. By that I mean, if we are more of a balanced team with Murray getting 20+ rush/GM or are we relying on Romos arm again. If we continue feeding the rock to Murray andetring our OLINE impose their will on opponents, then yes we can contend (if healthy)! I'm a firm believer Romo can win a chip but not by averaging 32+ att/GM with the belief he can pass us to a chip.

 

[ShiningStar]

Depends on how we got to the postseason. By that I mean, if we are more of a balanced team with Murray getting 20+ rush/GM or are we relying on Romos arm again. If we continue feeding the rock to Murray andetring our OLINE impose their will on opponents, then yes we can contend (if healthy)! I'm a firm believer Romo can win a chip but not by averaging 32+ att/GM with the belief he can pass us to a chip.

this is all well and good, how do we sell it to the coaches?

 

[50cent]

this is all well and good, how do we sell it to the coaches?

Let the oline do it for us

 

[DallasEast]

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

True. Allow me to clarify.

The OP questions whether a 2014 regular season campaign ending with a playoff berth could be a sign of Super Bowl contending legitimacy. I disagree. I feel that a strong regular season effort, combined with sound playoff victory, would be a sign of a true contending team. Without question, Dallas' 34-14 victory over Philadelphia was an elusive playoff victory. However, I was inferring more to an elusive statement-like playoff win representative of a strong regular season showing, which carries over into the next round. Even though the team won by 20, it was victory over an Eagles team riding the last legs of Donovan McNabb. And the following week's abysmal performance against Minnesota, where Romo was literally fed to the Vikings defense on a silver platter all game long, was a more accurate reflection of Dallas' ability for winning its wild card game the prior week.

I misused "elusive." Sorry about that.

 

[casmith07]

True. Allow me to clarify.

The OP questions whether a 2014 regular season campaign ending with a playoff berth could be a sign of Super Bowl contending legitimacy. I disagree. I feel that a strong regular season effort, combined with sound playoff victory, would be a sign of a true contending team. Without question, Dallas' 34-14 victory over Philadelphia was an elusive playoff victory. However, I was inferring more to an elusive statement-like playoff win representative of a strong regular season showing, which carries over into the next round. Even though the team won by 20, it was victory over an Eagles team riding the last legs of Donovan McNabb. And the following week's abysmal performance against Minnesota, where Romo was literally fed to the Vikings defense on a silver platter all game long, was a more accurate reflection of Dallas' ability for winning its wild card game the prior week.

I misused "elusive." Sorry about that.

Ah, okay, I see. Point taken, and agreed.

 

[tyke1doe]

Gawd you're depressing.

Kind of like the feeling you get when you watch the Cowboys blow another regular season game that could get them into the playoffs?

 

[khiladi]

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.

The irony is, out of the other side of their mouth, the Garrett homers will talk about process...

 

[Blackspider214]

Nope.

And let's just try and make it first. We have not shown to be able to do that since 2009 season.

 

[Blackspider214]

Anyone who makes it to the Playoffs is a "legitimate Super Bowl contender".
Those who don't, aren't.

False. Kansas City and the Colts last year were not legitimate contenders. They were going to get smoked in the next round no matter who they played. We were not contenders in 1999 either. Packers last year were not really legitimate contenders, either.

 

[koolaid]

Luck is a huge factor in winning playoff games. Obviously dominant teams have better chances of winning the superbowl, but decent teams that make the playoffs always have a chance to end the season with a win. There are plenty examples in recent history.The Giants were not a great team nor do they have a good quarterback and Eli has 2 rings. Pittsburgh got some favorable calls from the refs and got a trophy handed to them The Ravens were solid enough to put together a few wins and bring it home.

Being a great football team is obviously the best thing you can have going for you, but in today's game of TERRIBLE and SUBJECTIVE officiating (holding and defensive pass interference anyone?) and league-wide parity, getting to the dance gives almost any team a chance.

 

[KB1122]

What was the last team to just show up in the playoffs all of a sudden one year, after being out of it for five years, and wins the Super Bowl. It seems to me most of the recent champions are regular playoff teams. There's a myth that teams can go from worst to first, or something along those lines. I think Jerry buys that. I don't think the evidence is very good. Seattle, Baltimore, Giants, Packers, Steelers, etc. I mean, the last team to suddenly show up and win the Super Bowl were about a dozen years ago (Rams or Ravens).

 

[Avenger]

Not a chance.

 

[Phoenix]

No way. The real question should be, when will we even get back to the NFC Championship game, much less win the thing to get to the Super Bowl?

Someone here posted this a while back and I forget who it was, but I saved it:



"Here is a list of teams that have been in the NFC Championship game since the last time we were:

West: San Francisco(4), St.Louis(2), Arizona, Seattle(2)
South: Carolina(3), New Orleans(2), Tampa Bay(2), Atlanta(3)
North: Green Bay(4), Minnesota(3), Chicago(2),
East: New York(3), Philadelphia(5),

Dallas, Detroit, and Washington are the only teams not to appear in the NFC Championship since 1996.
That's 18 years with 36 spots available and we haven't been there ONE TIME...."

 

[BoysFan4ever]

No way. The real question should be, when will we even get back to the NFC Championship game, much less win the thing to get to the Super Bowl?

Someone here posted this a while back and I forget who it was, but I saved it:



"Here is a list of teams that have been in the NFC Championship game since the last time we were:

West: San Francisco(4), St.Louis(2), Arizona, Seattle(2)
South: Carolina(3), New Orleans(2), Tampa Bay(2), Atlanta(3)
North: Green Bay(4), Minnesota(3), Chicago(2),
East: New York(3), Philadelphia(5),

Dallas, Detroit, and Washington are the only teams not to appear in the NFC Championship since 1996.
That's 18 years with 36 spots available and we haven't been there ONE TIME...."

Ouch.

 

[visionary]

No way. The real question should be, when will we even get back to the NFC Championship game, much less win the thing to get to the Super Bowl?

Someone here posted this a while back and I forget who it was, but I saved it:



"Here is a list of teams that have been in the NFC Championship game since the last time we were:

West: San Francisco(4), St.Louis(2), Arizona, Seattle(2)
South: Carolina(3), New Orleans(2), Tampa Bay(2), Atlanta(3)
North: Green Bay(4), Minnesota(3), Chicago(2),
East: New York(3), Philadelphia(5),

Dallas, Detroit, and Washington are the only teams not to appear in the NFC Championship since 1996.
That's 18 years with 36 spots available and we haven't been there ONE TIME...."

You sir, are obviously a hater to bring up these facts

 

[khiladi]

What was the last team to just show up in the playoffs all of a sudden one year, after being out of it for five years, and wins the Super Bowl. It seems to me most of the recent champions are regular playoff teams. There's a myth that teams can go from worst to first, or something along those lines. I think Jerry buys that. I don't think the evidence is very good. Seattle, Baltimore, Giants, Packers, Steelers, etc. I mean, the last team to suddenly show up and win the Super Bowl were about a dozen years ago (Rams or Ravens).

Maybe not winning, but getting to the Super Bowl and making a good run. Cardinals for example did it recently. Seattle wasn't good for a while. the 49ers have been awful for years.

 

[Phoenix]

You sir, are obviously a hater to bring up these facts

lol

 

[Ultra Warrior]

False. Kansas City and the Colts last year were not legitimate contenders. They were going to get smoked in the next round no matter who they played. We were not contenders in 1999 either. Packers last year were not really legitimate contenders, either.

Were their chances less? Sure. They are still contenders regardless, thus nothing "False" about my statement.

 

[tyke1doe]

Were their chances less? Sure. They are still contenders regardless, thus nothing "False" about my statement.

I think the term "contender" needs to be defined.

I think a "contender" for the Super Bowl is a team that is in the conference championship game. Teams that make the playoffs aren't necessarily contenders, IMO, because they aren't on the brink of a Super Bowl appearance.

However, some believe being a "contender" means you make the playoffs giving you more of a chance to advance to the Super Bowl than a team that isn't in the playoffs.

While I can understand that perspective, I stand by my definition because the league is so watered down now, even a mediocre team can make the playoffs. Someone had to advance from the NFC East last year, which happened to be the Eagles.

But I don't know if I considered them a contender. Pretenders? Yes. Contenders? No.

But that's just me.