Let's be critically honest about this offense

[TheSport78]

This team will be exposed when we play the Saints.

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't think they trust Dak to throw it long... these are is Coopers stats

1st play of the game was a play action bomb to Gallup. In terms of what Cooper is doing he is drawing coverage and in doing that Dallas once again was over 50% 3rd down conversions. Dak is throwing a lot of short routes with the occasional deep ball but in doing that we are back to keeping down and distance in our favor allowing the Cowboys to be in better position of converting 3rd downs and controlling the clock which against a high scoring team like Atlanta was important

 

[CATCH17]

Cowboys may sneak into the playoffs, may even get out of the wildcard round, but I don't see them beating the Ram and Saints, though we will have a good look at that in 10 days.

This team will be exposed when we play the Saints.

Here is the thing with the Cowboys vs teams like the Saints or Rams.

Dallas will do a good job of holding them to 3 instead of 7 and we will hold the ball forever so we will have a chance to win at the end of the game just like we do every week.

The way we play it's going to be hard for any team to put up a lot of points because time will just simply not allow it unless we go down a couple scores early and force Dak to throw but we're playing such good defense that it's probably not going to happen.


Running QB's have been the defenses downfall and Goff doesn't pose that threat and Breese isn't as nimble as he used to be.

 

[nate dizzle]

The offense could only score 22 against one of the worst defenses in the NFL giving up 27 ppg.

Yes, the defense has improved and seems to be the strength of the team but the name of the game is points. And it is not a shut down defense.

Elliott is playing great and the OL seems to be better; however, our run game is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Scoring in the low 20's isn't going to get it done.

The reality is that the Cowboys have beaten two 2nd tier non playoff teams with losing records that are pretty evenly matched with them as the scores would indicate. And it is great to put two wins back to back and away at that; however, this team is not a tier 1 team.

Mayfield hung 3 TD's on this sorry sack of a defense and their defense actually held them to fewer points. I'd say we are far from out of the woods.

 

[Doomsday101]

This team will be exposed when we play the Saints.

which teams haven't been exposed vs the Saints?

 

[nightrain]

Here is the thing with the Cowboys vs teams like the Saints or Rams.

Dallas will do a good job of holding them to 3 instead of 7 and we will hold the ball forever so we will have a chance to win at the end of the game just like we do every week.

The way we play it's going to be hard for any team to put up a lot of points because time will just simply not allow it unless we go down a couple scores early and force Dak to throw but we're playing such good defense that it's probably not going to happen.


Running QB's have been the defenses downfall and Goff doesn't pose that threat and Breese isn't as nimble as he used to be.

Have to see how they hold up against the Brees attack. Defending the redzone does seem to be a comfortable place for the Cowboys D. I agree with your assessment that not allowing TDs will be the key, but if the Cowboys offense gets a lot of 3 and outs, the D will be gassed and start giving up chunk plays.

 

[CouchCoach]

Query for clarification: Is the term 'Tier 1 Team' equivalent to one of the 12 teams that qualify for the postseason?

No, Tier 1 teams are most likely to advance in the playoffs to the Final 4.

 

[DallasEast]

No, Tier 1 teams are most likely to advance in the playoffs to the Final 4.

Thanks. Would you agree that a Tier 2 team could qualify for the playoffs but not advance in the playoffs?

 

[InTheZone]

The offense could only score 22 against one of the worst defenses in the NFL giving up 27 ppg.

Yes, the defense has improved and seems to be the strength of the team but the name of the game is points. And it is not a shut down defense.

Elliott is playing great and the OL seems to be better; however, our run game is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Scoring in the low 20's isn't going to get it done.

The reality is that the Cowboys have beaten two 2nd tier non playoff teams with losing records that are pretty evenly matched with them as the scores would indicate. And it is great to put two wins back to back and away at that; however, this team is not a tier 1 team.

We have a fast car, the driver is unable to take it around without being all over the place.

 

[CATCH17]

Have to see how they hold up against the Brees attack. Defending the redzone does seem to be a comfortable place for the Cowboys D. I agree with your assessment that not allowing TDs will be the key, but if the Cowboys offense gets a lot of 3 and outs, the D will be gassed and start giving up chunk plays.

When did Atlanta score? The 4th quarter? At home too.

Doing that to Atlanta with Matt Ryan and all of the weapons they have tells me that it's going to be a struggle for any offense.

Now that our linebackers are so dynamic we can matchup with a guy like Kamara when he's split out.

I hate Garrett's formula of football because it keeps bad teams in games but it will keep us in a game with the Saints or Rams I think.

 

[Praxit]

..Coach, we could barely crack the 2 digit barrier earlier this year. Now, we improved to 20+ pts. Its a process that is getting better. You understand that Santa doesn't ride a DeLorean for his sleigh, but a basic Volvo.

 

[nhcowboyfan]

A few weeks ago these were going to be 2 losses according to the crybabies in here. Then after we win they didn’t matter because the teams sucked anyway.

This seems to happen a lot.

Agreed. It's not like we beat teams who went to the playoffs last year. Oh wait, they did. One beat us pretty soundly in their home stadium and the other actually won the Super Bowl. All they see is the record at the time we beat them. To those who have to minimize every win we get, consider this: What would your response be, if the Eagles and the Falcons actually had winning records when we beat them? Would fans respond with posts on how good we are in the immediate aftermath? But let's say, both teams then went on a downward spiral and finished the season at 7-9. Would you say in hindsight that this team really wasn't very good, because both teams finished with losing records. Or consider the opposite. Let's say both the Eagles and Falcons turn things around and finish the season 9-7. Would you then change your mind about us beating what you previously considered second-rate teams?

 

[CouchCoach]

I will re-purpose my original query. Can a Tier 2 team qualify for the postseason?

Yes and they do but rarely advance to the Final 4.

I believe the Cowboys have the inside track to winning the East but even winning that first playoff game against a Tier 1 or even a higher Tier 2 like MIN or SEA would mot seem likely.

I am all about winning the East and getting in but I do not buy anything can happen once the team is in. People who cite that are using exceptions to try and make a rule.

Our passing game is not Tier 1, barely Tier 2, and that's the game now.

 

[nightrain]

When did Atlanta score? The 4th quarter? At home too.

Doing that to Atlanta with Matt Ryan and all of the weapons they have tells me that it's going to be a struggle for any offense.

Now that our linebackers are so dynamic we can matchup with a guy like Kamara when he's split out.

I hate Garrett's formula of football because it keeps bad teams in games but it will keep us in a game with the Saints or Rams I think.

Atlanta is explosive and they have the best WR in the game, but the diversified attack of the Saints is at another level. The Saints defense is playing much better than the Falcons and that is going to pose additional challenges.

 

[TexasHillbilly]

This team will be exposed when we play the Saints.

Pretty much every team that has played the Saints has gotten exposed.

 

[TwentyOne]

The offense could only score 22 against one of the worst defenses in the NFL giving up 27 ppg.

Yes, the defense has improved and seems to be the strength of the team but the name of the game is points. And it is not a shut down defense.

Elliott is playing great and the OL seems to be better; however, our run game is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Scoring in the low 20's isn't going to get it done.

The reality is that the Cowboys have beaten two 2nd tier non playoff teams with losing records that are pretty evenly matched with them as the scores would indicate. And it is great to put two wins back to back and away at that; however, this team is not a tier 1 team.

Our offense is great. Our QB sucks ...

 

[DallasEast]

Yes and they do but rarely advance to the Final 4.

I believe the Cowboys have the inside track to winning the East but even winning that first playoff game against a Tier 1 or even a higher Tier 2 like MIN or SEA would mot seem likely.

I am all about winning the East and getting in but I do not buy anything can happen once the team is in. People who cite that are using exceptions to try and make a rule.

Our passing game is not Tier 1, barely Tier 2, and that's the game now.

I have no objection to your opinion. Mine can accept that the overall team is Tier 2 currently. Playoffs are still weeks away. The opportunity for this offense to grow and turn the team into a low-rung Tier 1 team is there. However I have my doubts whether coaching and personnel can seize that opportunity before it is too late. The clock is ticking...

 

[CouchCoach]

That's what happens when you drop a TD pass and miss a extra point.

Let me get the calculator......ok 4 points from The Bease plus 1 from Maher = 5 points.

So add those 5 points to 22 and you get 27. Funny how that works isn't it?

But that happened. You wanna play the "what if" game? What happens if Julio, Sanu and Ridley don't drop those passes? Ridley caused the pick, what happens if he just doesn't touch it?

Beasley did drop the TD pass and Mahre did miss the extra point and most likely would have missed the FG if they hadn't scored the TD. How does that affect the score.

Good offenses score more than 22 or even 27 against bad defenses in today's NFL.

 

[Zordon]

The offense could only score 22 against one of the worst defenses in the NFL giving up 27 ppg.

Yes, the defense has improved and seems to be the strength of the team but the name of the game is points. And it is not a shut down defense.

Elliott is playing great and the OL seems to be better; however, our run game is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Scoring in the low 20's isn't going to get it done.

The reality is that the Cowboys have beaten two 2nd tier non playoff teams with losing records that are pretty evenly matched with them as the scores would indicate. And it is great to put two wins back to back and away at that; however, this team is not a tier 1 team.

common sense but the homers like @Nav22 @Tommy @silvrNblue @waving monkey don't want to hear it after a win. lollipops and rainbows around here today..

we patched up the oline, rb, and #1 receiver issues yet the qb is still holding us back from reaching our potential. we should have put 35+ on that scrub mash unit yesterday. especially after what they did to us last season.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

..Coach, we could barely crack the 2 digit barrier earlier this year. Now, we improved to 20+ pts. Its a process that is getting better. You understand that Santa doesn't ride a DeLorean for his sleigh, but a basic Volvo.

I'm more than a Volvo, haha!