My worries heading into the postseason!

[visionary]

Great post
I want them to either find Jesus and go all the way or just lose to Brady. My biggest fear is that we beat Brady and then get blown out in rd 2 and our FO and every idiot homer says “but but but we did win a game” and we don’t address our glaring weaknesses

 

[chasecooley5308]

I'm worried about the defense TBH

 

[Cowboys1966]

In no particular order:

-Dak's interceptions. Yes, some aren't his fault, but he is consistently turning over the football. Against good teams, this will hurt them.
-Rushing offense. Ever since Steele went down, so did our rushing offense. Last 2 weeks, against quality opponents they couldn't run the football at all.
-Lack of explosiveness at the WR position. Our passing offense is pretty much Lamb & Shultz. Both Brown/Gallup really have struggled with separation, it's not a coincidence that many of Dak's interceptions are to these 2 receivers. Tight window type of throws. Hilton needs to become that other receiver to help out Lamb.
-Run Defense. With Lve and Hankins returning, it should help, but this has been an issue throughout the entire season. Remember, TB gashed them on opening night, where they are the worst rushing team in the entire league. What about Philly and the 49ers?
-Lack of pass rush. What has happed to our dominate pass rush? Parsons hasn't made an impact in weeks. What about Fowler, Armstrong? Seems like Sam Williams is the only one getting consistent pressure these days.
-Corner opposite Diggs, probably the biggest worry of them all! Good teams will scheme ways to get a corner in signal coverage, like we used to see Roy Williams the safety. Can any of our backup corners hold up?

Good post. I agree with all of them.

 

[reddyuta]

pass Defense is as much a issue as run defense now,guys are getting huge separation before the pass rush can get there.

 

[Ranching]

I don't worry about things I can't control anymore.....

 

[BXCOWGYRL]

Our run defense has been a concern since week #3 when Daniel Jones ran on us

 

[Direwolf63]

The defense is this teams fatal flaw. Brady is going to shred them unless the pass rush returns in a major way

 

[Chuck 54]

I’m just hoping guys play in the playoffs like it’s just another game. Trying to do too much on every play also leads to those pesky penalties.

 

[LysleE]

- Dak needs to protect the ball; throw quick-hitting routes, employ RPOs and lean on the running game; with our re-worked o-line I imagine run-blocking is easier then pass-blocking and Dallas does the former better
- Hoping KM doesn’t abandon the run, or call too many gimmick plays; needs to keep the hammer down and don’t let opponent back in game
- Good teams negate Cowboys’ pass rush with a good scheme and take advantage of Dallas’ aggressive and undisciplined play.
- Our secondary is going to have issues matching up with teams who can spread the defense out with multiple receivers; especially with an inconsistent pass rush
- It seems the coaching staff is slow to adjust and don’t readily exploit favorable match-ups
- Minimize penalties and mental mistakes. How many times have the Cowboys had a big play, converted a 3rd down, or on defense prevented a 1st down only to negate it with a penalty?
- Hoping for the best and that this year is different, but I won’t be surprised if Dallas exits after the 1st round based on past performance.

 

[lukemartin79]

In no particular order:

-Dak's interceptions. Yes, some aren't his fault, but he is consistently turning over the football. Against good teams, this will hurt them.
-Rushing offense. Ever since Steele went down, so did our rushing offense. Last 2 weeks, against quality opponents they couldn't run the football at all.
-Lack of explosiveness at the WR position. Our passing offense is pretty much Lamb & Shultz. Both Brown/Gallup really have struggled with separation, it's not a coincidence that many of Dak's interceptions are to these 2 receivers. Tight window type of throws. Hilton needs to become that other receiver to help out Lamb.
-Run Defense. With Lve and Hankins returning, it should help, but this has been an issue throughout the entire season. Remember, TB gashed them on opening night, where they are the worst rushing team in the entire league. What about Philly and the 49ers?
-Lack of pass rush. What has happed to our dominate pass rush? Parsons hasn't made an impact in weeks. What about Fowler, Armstrong? Seems like Sam Williams is the only one getting consistent pressure these days.
-Corner opposite Diggs, probably the biggest worry of them all! Good teams will scheme ways to get a corner in signal coverage, like we used to see Roy Williams the safety. Can any of our backup corners hold up?

All excellent points, and any one of those could end the playoffs real fast. I have the same concerns.
I do however feel optimistic this year though because the NFC is not as strong as it has been most years. All the teams have QB's that are unproven in the playoff, just like Dak. Only Brady, who will limp in to the playoffs with the weakest team he has ever lead in to the playoffs. Same for Rodgers- if he even gets his team in the playoffs. Hurts is injured as is a main lineman and Philly is not playing good ball. SF is the team I fear most, but they have QB concerns too. Nobody knows what this kid will do when the pressure gets turned up. They may still get through the NFC with that defense and McCaffreys rushing, as long as the QB doesn't make mistakes. Just saying this years playoffs could break nicely for Dallas, and we could be sitting in the NFC championship game just as much as a one and done happens again.

 

[guag]

My worries on the postseason began as the clock was winding down at Lincoln Financial last week. All the excuse the Cowboys needed to NOT rest starters this week was for the Eagles to give them a glimmer of hope, and I’ll be darned if they didn’t comply.

I don’t see an avenue where the Birds lose to a Giants team that has nothing to play for, which puts Dallas in Tom’s backyard following a week in which the Bucs had…nothing to play for.

So we’re facing Playoff Tom coming off a quasi-bye (coaches option) and with a win will travel to square-off against a rested Philly team that will likely have PED’s Johnson back at tackle. That’s a big ask.

Cowboyny, your bullet-points are well stated but I’ll add that we shouldn’t be surprised on a couple fronts based on ownership failures prior to the start of the season.

The Randy Gregory fiasco was akin to Jerry McGuire losing the number one draft pick the night before the draft. In Randy’s absence, Micah has been asked to put his hand on the ground much more than what his 245 lb. frame is capable of doing. The NFL grind is lessening Micah’s potential by the week. This was ownership failure number 1.

Failure number 2 was not re-signing one of the better route runners in the NFL (Cooper) or at least re-signing a guy that jelled very nicely with Dak Prescott – Cedric Wilson. Having either one of those guys in the receiver room may not push the unit to elite status, but it sure as heck makes it much more formidable than its current standing.

My apologies for rambling too much on my first post. Good to be here.

to the zone, good to have you!

 

[deerhunter11]

dallas can beat anybody if they don't beat themselves

 

[Rockport]

In no particular order:

-Dak's interceptions. Yes, some aren't his fault, but he is consistently turning over the football. Against good teams, this will hurt them.
-Rushing offense. Ever since Steele went down, so did our rushing offense. Last 2 weeks, against quality opponents they couldn't run the football at all.
-Lack of explosiveness at the WR position. Our passing offense is pretty much Lamb & Shultz. Both Brown/Gallup really have struggled with separation, it's not a coincidence that many of Dak's interceptions are to these 2 receivers. Tight window type of throws. Hilton needs to become that other receiver to help out Lamb.
-Run Defense. With Lve and Hankins returning, it should help, but this has been an issue throughout the entire season. Remember, TB gashed them on opening night, where they are the worst rushing team in the entire league. What about Philly and the 49ers?
-Lack of pass rush. What has happed to our dominate pass rush? Parsons hasn't made an impact in weeks. What about Fowler, Armstrong? Seems like Sam Williams is the only one getting consistent pressure these days.
-Corner opposite Diggs, probably the biggest worry of them all! Good teams will scheme ways to get a corner in signal coverage, like we used to see Roy Williams the safety. Can any of our backup corners hold up?

Every team has issues. Every single one.

 

[deerhunter11]

mr ty hylton will make a difference in the playoffs i guarantee it

 

[75boyz]

- Dak needs to protect the ball; throw quick-hitting routes, employ RPOs and lean on the running game; with our re-worked o-line I imagine run-blocking is easier then pass-blocking and Dallas does the former better
- Hoping KM doesn’t abandon the run, or call too many gimmick plays; needs to keep the hammer down and don’t let opponent back in game
- Good teams negate Cowboys’ pass rush with a good scheme and take advantage of Dallas’ aggressive and undisciplined play.
- Our secondary is going to have issues matching up with teams who can spread the defense out with multiple receivers; especially with an inconsistent pass rush
- It seems the coaching staff is slow to adjust and don’t readily exploit favorable match-ups
- Minimize penalties and mental mistakes. How many times have the Cowboys had a big play, converted a 3rd down, or on defense prevented a 1st down only to negate it with a penalty?
- Hoping for the best and that this year is different, but I won’t be surprised if Dallas exits after the 1st round based on past performance.

Outstanding post. Email to McCarthy.

 

[Cowboyny]

Every team has issues. Every single one.

True, best ones hide their weakness

 

[john van brocklin]

In no particular order:

-Dak's interceptions. Yes, some aren't his fault, but he is consistently turning over the football. Against good teams, this will hurt them.
-Rushing offense. Ever since Steele went down, so did our rushing offense. Last 2 weeks, against quality opponents they couldn't run the football at all.
-Lack of explosiveness at the WR position. Our passing offense is pretty much Lamb & Shultz. Both Brown/Gallup really have struggled with separation, it's not a coincidence that many of Dak's interceptions are to these 2 receivers. Tight window type of throws. Hilton needs to become that other receiver to help out Lamb.
-Run Defense. With Lve and Hankins returning, it should help, but this has been an issue throughout the entire season. Remember, TB gashed them on opening night, where they are the worst rushing team in the entire league. What about Philly and the 49ers?
-Lack of pass rush. What has happed to our dominate pass rush? Parsons hasn't made an impact in weeks. What about Fowler, Armstrong? Seems like Sam Williams is the only one getting consistent pressure these days.
-Corner opposite Diggs, probably the biggest worry of them all! Good teams will scheme ways to get a corner in signal coverage, like we used to see Roy Williams the safety. Can any of our backup corners hold up?

Wow!
Now I feel hopeless

 

[theanimal23]

Great thread, great original post.

My concerns:
- Penalties, penalties, penalties - undisciplined team for the last 10-15 years, and this year was not much different.
- Getting away from the run; poor play calling. Bad coaching.
- Dak's play (INTs) this year
- Health., although all the teams have some injuries - DBs and O-line
- Poor run D and well overall D has played worse as the season progressed
- Talent to win it all, but that's been the case a lot over the last 15+ years, with minimal success.

 

[DandyDon52]

In no particular order:

-Dak's interceptions. Yes, some aren't his fault, but he is consistently turning over the football. Against good teams, this will hurt them.
-Rushing offense. Ever since Steele went down, so did our rushing offense. Last 2 weeks, against quality opponents they couldn't run the football at all.
-Lack of explosiveness at the WR position. Our passing offense is pretty much Lamb & Shultz. Both Brown/Gallup really have struggled with separation, it's not a coincidence that many of Dak's interceptions are to these 2 receivers. Tight window type of throws. Hilton needs to become that other receiver to help out Lamb.
-Run Defense. With Lve and Hankins returning, it should help, but this has been an issue throughout the entire season. Remember, TB gashed them on opening night, where they are the worst rushing team in the entire league. What about Philly and the 49ers?
-Lack of pass rush. What has happed to our dominate pass rush? Parsons hasn't made an impact in weeks. What about Fowler, Armstrong? Seems like Sam Williams is the only one getting consistent pressure these days.
-Corner opposite Diggs, probably the biggest worry of them all! Good teams will scheme ways to get a corner in signal coverage, like we used to see Roy Williams the safety. Can any of our backup corners hold up?

you left out the most important thing, Coaching!
when teams are fairly equal, team with best coaches and game plans, play designs, usually win.

 

[JoeKing]

Earthquake, flood, pestilence.

You, people, need to chill and just enjoy the roller coaster.