i'm thinking we run the table

[JonJon]

I'm going with a bold prediction that the Cowboys end the second half of the season 7-1, finishing with a 12-4 record. There, I said it. This team continues to get better and better, our defense is set up to not make the opposing offense look good, and with the exception of San Fran in the 1st half and Washington in the last 3:00 minutes, no team has. Parcells is growing more confident with the offense and, assuming our O-line holds up, we will see more aggressive play calling down the stretch. Plus, we now have 2 solid RBs and a decent 3rd back that can light it up, Witten is getting more involved in the offense, and the X-factor, Patrick Crayton should be back within 3-4 weeks. I think we sweep the East from here on out, but I am still leaving a loss open to either Denver or Carolina.

 

[BigDFan5]

11-0 rest of the way!

 

[Jimz31]

I can see this team staying with ANY team in the NFL.

In fact, I would like to see how we would fare against the Colts. I don't think that they have run into a defense like ours....especially a secondary like ours.

I think it would be a very competitive game and wouldn't be surprised if it came down to the last drive....which wouldn't be good for us if history from earlier this season matters.

 

[CactusCowboy]

Your freakin nuts!

 

[JonJon]

Your freakin nuts!

What about them?

 

[lane]

I'm going with a bold prediction that the Cowboys end the second half of the season 7-1, finishing with a 12-4 record. There, I said it. This team continues to get better and better, our defense is set up to not make the opposing offense look good, and with the exception of San Fran in the 1st half and Washington in the last 3:00 minutes, no team has. Parcells is growing more confident with the offense and, assuming our O-line holds up, we will see more aggressive play calling down the stretch. Plus, we now have 2 solid RBs and a decent 3rd back that can light it up, Witten is getting more involved in the offense, and the X-factor, Patrick Crayton should be back within 3-4 weeks. I think we sweep the East from here on out, but I am still leaving a loss open to either Denver or Carolina.

great post.

 

[Cbz40]

i think if we don't suffer any more freaking injuries............. we run the table.

thoughts?

I can truthfully say I see 2 or 3 more loses.........but, if we run the table I will make you "Board King".

 

[big_neil]

We need to play better just to go 5-3 in the 2nd half because the 2nd half is harder than the first half:

In the first half we played 3 home division games, in the 2nd half it's 3 road division games.

In the first half we played SD and Oakland, in the 2nd half we play Denver (3rd game in 11 days) and KC.

In the first half we played San Francisco, in the 2nd half we play Carolina.

In the first half our gimme was home vs. Arizona, in the 2nd half it's vs. Detroit on 6 days rest.

 

[Rack]

What about them?

I think the worst we may do in the second half is 4-4. The best would be 7-1.


I'm hoping we finish the season with 11 wins. 11 just feels like a good number. 10 wins would feel like "well we had 10 wins in 2003 and lost in the wild card game" or "10 wins is barely double digit wins" or something like that. 12 or more wins feels like "Hey we're freakin' awesome" but then we get overconfident and end up losing our first playoff game.


11 wins feels like "we're 2 over the single digit win column so we're good" but it's not TOO many wins to where we'd still be looking up at the 12, 13, and 14 wins teams and thinking "Not only can we play with you guys, we can beat your a**es!".


So if end up with 11 wins for the season, expect us to win at least 1 playoff game and at worst come close to winning 2. If we get a bye (very possible) we'll be in the NFC Championship game if we finish with 11 wins.

 

[lspain1]

I'll chime in on this. While there might be many keys to the second half, I predict the '3 games in 11 days' stretch we are facing will tell the tale.

The Eagles on Monday night begin that stretch. I like our chances in this game for several reasons. Parcells has built our defense to attack this team. They have been completely dominated in a couple of games and the offense may be without TO. They are lucky their record is as good as it is. They are one-dimensional and that kind of team is easier to beat.

Next up is Detroit, a game we should win handily. This is a team riddled with key injuries on offense and they are desperate at QB. I don't think they well coached either.

Last is Denver on Thanksgiving. A team much better at home than on the road, they represent a unique challenge. Shanahan is a good coach and this game will challenge our defense. We will face yet again one of the top offenses in the league. But, their attack is not really balanced. Stop their running attack and they are a much weaker offense. Of course this is much easier said than done. I do not think the Bronco defense is that good overall (they are much better against the run) and we should be able to score. We will need to win the time-of-possession battle in this game and that will be the challenge for Parcells. I think we win a close game.

All in all, we have a good chance to be 3-0 in that stretch. After that, we will get 10 days rest before we face NY at their house. Even with a 3-0 run, it is quite possible we will be looking up at the Giants going into the game. But, we will be in a position to control our own destiny at that point.

As always, injuries make it impossible to predict too much. If we can stay reasonably healthy the rest of the way, we have a real shot to win the division if not "running the table".

 

[Vinnie2u]

i think if we don't suffer any more freaking injuries............. we run the table.

thoughts?

Please step away from the Kool-Aid.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

i think if we don't suffer any more freaking injuries............. we run the table.

thoughts?

I smell what you are stepping it.......what the heck......I will join you!

 

[superpunk]

Haven't faced a run team like Denver? No? What were we doing against LT, Alexander, Portis, and Barber?

 

[Aikmaniac]

I've learned from watching these Cowboys for years that looking ahead in the season is a big no-no. I think the Boys will have to play their best ball to beat the Eagles in Philly. I don't care how much Schlereeretheterth says that team is "finished" or Collinschickenneckworth mentions they're "hurting", the Eagles are the champs of the division.

If I agree with Madden about anything, it's that a champ is still champ until they're beaten and out of contention. He said the same about us back in '96 until we got beat by Carolina.

Let's remember what we've grown accustomed to this season...conservative play-calling. I have a feeling that will bite us in the butt 2-3 more times this season. This team is good enough to beat anyone at anytime...if they're trusted...which they won't be.

Let's take it one week at a time, boys.

 

[MS17]

Ive been drinking the "one week at a time" Kool aid for many seasons now, and that is the reality of the modern day NFL. You cant really overlook anyone on the sched. The three division road games are going to be dogfights, and Denver, KC and Carolina will be very tough games. That could possilby be 4 or more losses right there in that grouping.
THe running tables stuff is nonsense.

 

[kartr]

i think if we don't suffer any more freaking injuries............. we run the table.

thoughts?

Four of our first 8 opponents had winning records and 6 of our last 8 opponents have winning records. That doesn't sound like a cake walk to me. Most of our wins were real struggles and the two teams that we dominated on the scoreboard have been dominated on the scoreboard on more than one occasion and are in the bottom ten in defense.

 

[SuspectCorner]

i see plenty of reasons to believe the cowboys stock will continue to climb as the season further unfolds. but i'm real nervous about the kicking game. suisham is already costing the team field position in terms of his kickoffs and, until we see him attempt anything other than a chipshot, i tend to believe FGs are gonna continue to be source of nausea. i'm afraid they're gonna drop another game or two as a direct result.

 

[The30YardSlant]

IMO, the very best we will do is 7-1, because we wont go to Carolina and win.

We will likely lose at least 1 divisional road game, and then a game that we shouldnt lose

I'll take 5-3 for a 10-6 record

 

[AmericasTeam31]

A 10-6 record makes me nervous as far as the playoffs go.... There are so many teams with 5 or more wins already, I think we need to go to 11-5 to make the playoffs. Although a few of the 5 win teams will fall off as the season goes on...

 

[lane]

thank you for the input everyone.

great points made.

i know it is probably wishful thinking on my part.... but what the hell... i'm just excited to finally be able to watch the boys for the first time in a looooooong time with a smile on my face.