Is our December schedule really that hard?

[sonnyboy]

Four more November games to worry about first. 4-0 and a 9-2 record would be nice. Sure everyone here would be doing back lips if we pull off 3-1 and head into Dec at 8-3.

At the start of the season I thought...........

8-3 was the worst we could afford heading into Dec to make the post-season.

9-2 was the worst if we wanted a shot at the division.

Now I'm not so sure this December/January schedule will be a killer.

Perception of these teams has changed a lot in two months. Sure to change some more through Nov. But as of now here's how I see them.

@NYG - Not nearly as tough as I thought preseason or after week two. Always thought this was a 50/50 shot but now I'm more optimistic of pulling out the win.
SD - I still respect this team. They are capable of beating us for sure. I just don't fear that defense right now and see this as a win. To give it some scale, I like us in this game as much as I liked us heading into the Atlanta game. A QB and offense to be respected but not enough Defense to get it done against us.
@NO - I thought they'd be good. Not this good, but I liked them this year and hated this match-up for us. Right or wrong, this was the one game on our entire schedule a conceded to a certain extent as a loss. What's interesting is that I think we might have a better shot now. Outside chance they might just have the #1 seed locked up prior to this game. Perhaps they are sitting at 13-0 or 12-1. Either way, this game could be set up for them as that inevitable let down a team that gets off to that kind of start almost always has.
@WAS - No need to elaborate here.They suck. Rivalry almost goes out the window when you suck this bad. We are not losing this game.
PHI - Nothings changed much here. Always felt this game would be impossible to handicap until we see where these teams are at the time.

So I see 4 of the 5 games as an easier draw for one reason or another than I think we all thought at the seasons start.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Great post. I agree that December doesn't look as formidable as it once did, but everybody keeps talking about the Cowboys late season troubles so the pressure will be on even if those teams are not as good as advertised. If they beat Philly on Sunday, it will do wonders for the Cowboys confidence. That could carry them a long way.

 

[alancdc]

Great post. I agree that December doesn't look as formidable as it once did, but everybody keeps talking about the Cowboys late season troubles so the pressure will be on even if those teams are not as good as advertised. If they beat Philly on Sunday, it will do wonders for the Cowboys confidence. That could carry them a long way.

SD is not nearly as good as they were last year. Injuries are really hurting them. Doesn't matter what the record is the Skins are gonna play us tough. Maybe NO will have home field already wrapped up when we play them down there!

 

[Iago33]

So I see 4 of the 5 games as an easier draw for one reason or another than I think we all thought at the seasons start.

And by December a few of those will look harder than they do today. Things change. Washington may turn it on and become an obstacle. No, seriously....

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Yes it does look tough. Especially when you factor in how terrible the Cowboys have been in December. Saints might not even be playing and just resting guys by the time we face them so that may make ite easier. But you still got 3 NFC East matchups. You know those are going to be hell.

 

[kmd24]

Road games are hard to win. Helps that one of them is Washington. The Commanders should be planning for the draft by then.

I think both home games are winnable. Going to be tough to win in New Orleans. The Giants game looks winnable as well given what has happened in their secondary.

3-2 seems like a reasonable expectation, but I would have said similar last year. The big difference this year is the chemistry. Feels like this team would still be trying to punch the Eagles in the mouth even down 44-6. Last year, they just quit.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I always thought that Washington and SD could have imploded by then... Washington already has.

Only thing that might keep SD from it is that their division is so awful. The Chiefs and Raiders are two of the worst teams in football, and that might help keep them in it until the end.

But we still could beat them. Not scared of them at all.

 

[aikemirv]

Road games are hard to win. Helps that one of them is Washington. The Commanders should be planning for the draft by then.

I think both home games are winnable. Going to be tough to win in New Orleans. The Giants game looks winnable as well given what has happened in their secondary.

3-2 seems like a reasonable expectation, but I would have said similar last year. The big difference this year is the chemistry. Feels like this team would still be trying to punch the Eagles in the mouth even down 44-6. Last year, they just quit.

I agree and I think 3-2 is probable also. That would be great if we go into it 8-3 but I don't think 11-5 is going to get us a bye week. That will get us the NFC East IMO. At this point I think we are going to have to come away with at least a 12-4 to get a bye week.

I would love to be able to knock Philly out of a playoff spot on the last game of the year to return the favor!

 

[ElGatoGrande]

all NFC East division games, on the road no less, are going to be tough and I suspect that the Giants will be healthy by the time we play them again,,, add to that top notch passers like Brees and Rivers and you've got yourself a tough December schedule.

There will be no backing into the playoffs this year, if the Cowboys win in December they will be true contenders IMO,,,

 

[Daudr]

@WAS - No need to elaborate here.They suck. Rivalry almost goes out the window when you suck this bad. We are not losing this game.

When the Cowboys were 1-15, guess who they beat? This rivalry means more than probably any other in the NFL. Between the Cowboys and Commanders you can always throw out their current records, because they really don't matter for the outcome of the game.

 

[kmd24]

all NFC East division games, on the road no less, are going to be tough and I suspect that the Giants will be healthy by the time we play them again

Philly game is a home game.

Kenny Phillips, who is the main loss the Giants are dealing with (see CC Brown) is gone for the season.

 

[sonnyboy]

Great post. I agree that December doesn't look as formidable as it once did, but everybody keeps talking about the Cowboys late season troubles so the pressure will be on even if those teams are not as good as advertised. If they beat Philly on Sunday, it will do wonders for the Cowboys confidence. That could carry them a long way.

I agree. Not that I think they are all that. I just think our team may be feeling that way and a win up here would be huge for their confidence.

I just don't fear this team as many here do. Call me stupid but I don't see it.

Their O-line has taken some injury hits and is nothing special. We should get real good pressure with 4 guys and have a few jail breaks when we send 5. I really expect to be all over McNabb quick, when we send 5.

McNabb himself has not done it for me. He looked great last week. But very ordinary against the Skins and sad against the Raiders. That Raiders game far surpassed Romo's Giant game on the suck meter.
I'm anticipating a showing against us somewhere between the Raiders and Skins game.

Thier defense is not what it's been. Not even close. They suffered some tough injuries to the LB core and really don't get a pass rush without the blitz.

Numbers don't back me up on this at this point, but I believe we have the better defense.
For the first time in over a decade I belive we are superior at all three levels. DL, LB and DB.

They can't beat us without winning the TO battle. The good news for them is they most likely will. McNabb is overly cautious and they take more chances and force more TOs on defense.
I believe they need a plus 2 to win. And that's no guarantee for them. Anything less and we'll take it.

 

[theogt]

I think at a minimum we're favored in three of those games. Possibly four.

 

[Hostile]

I still think it looks brutal. I will be ecstatic with 3-2 in that month.

 

[sonnyboy]

And by December a few of those will look harder than they do today. Things change. Washington may turn it on and become an obstacle. No, seriously....

I said as much in my OP. But I predict it will trend further in our favor.

I believe NYG, SD and WAS will all look easier in a month than they do now.

Especially WAS. Remember the last weekend of 2002 and all the Parcels talk. Killed any realistic shot we had in Washington.
I'm expecting the same thing with dead man walking Zorn.

 

[Joe Realist]

Four more November games to worry about first. 4-0 and a 9-2 record would be nice. Sure everyone here would be doing back lips if we pull off 3-1 and head into Dec at 8-3.

At the start of the season I thought...........

8-3 was the worst we could afford heading into Dec to make the post-season.

9-2 was the worst if we wanted a shot at the division.

Now I'm not so sure this December/January schedule will be a killer.

Perception of these teams has changed a lot in two months. Sure to change some more through Nov. But as of now here's how I see them.

@NYG - Not nearly as tough as I thought preseason or after week two. Always thought this was a 50/50 shot but now I'm more optimistic of pulling out the win.
SD - I still respect this team. They are capable of beating us for sure. I just don't fear that defense right now and see this as a win. To give it some scale, I like us in this game as much as I liked us heading into the Atlanta game. A QB and offense to be respected but not enough Defense to get it done against us.
@NO - I thought they'd be good. Not this good, but I liked them this year and hated this match-up for us. Right or wrong, this was the one game on our entire schedule a conceded to a certain extent as a loss. What's interesting is that I think we might have a better shot now. Outside chance they might just have the #1 seed locked up prior to this game. Perhaps they are sitting at 13-0 or 12-1. Either way, this game could be set up for them as that inevitable let down a team that gets off to that kind of start almost always has.
@WAS - No need to elaborate here.They suck. Rivalry almost goes out the window when you suck this bad. We are not losing this game.
PHI - Nothings changed much here. Always felt this game would be impossible to handicap until we see where these teams are at the time.

So I see 4 of the 5 games as an easier draw for one reason or another than I think we all thought at the seasons start.

Too far off. We would have to break a truly disturbing trend that is in double digit years. I would love to see it.

 

[big dog cowboy]

3-2 at worst and possibly 4-1.

If 4-1 or 5-0 every anchor at ESPN commits suicide.

 

[reddyuta]

we can go 3-2 or better if all our running backs and our ol are healthy.

 

[sonnyboy]

Too far off. We would have to break a truly disturbing trend that is in double digit years. I would love to see it.

Too far off what? Did you see a December record prediction from me?

This thread has nothing to do with how well we're playing in Dec. It has everything to do with how well our competition may be playing.

Or are you sooo negative you can't see us getting a break in spite of ourselves.

 

[Joe Realist]

Too far off what? Did you see a December record prediction from me?

This thread has nothing to do with how well we're playing in Dec. It has everything to do with how well our competition may be playing.

Or are you sooo negative you can't see us getting a break in spite of ourselves.

No sensitiveboy. I'll clarify for you. December too far off with what lies ahead of us starting this week. I'm not bashing you for looking ahead, just stating my opinion about December and how WE usually are, regardless of how competition is doing. Teams that look good now could be bad then, vice-versa, blah, blah, blah. Are you that emotional that you can't help yourself from your reactions???