Part of being a Cowboys fan is rooting against other teams

[Diehardblues]

You're the one who doesn't get it. You keep using words like "should" and "must" and "not on the same level of fandom" and then you keep trying to claim it's not a referendum on fandom. That's exactly what you're making it into. Your words could not possibly be clearer in that regard. As soon as you say what "we" as fans "should" or "must" do, you are making it a litmus test. Not sure why you insist on denying what's crystal clear in your statements.

Obviously, NFC contenders (other than the Cowboys) losing games is generally a boon to the Cowboys' playoff seeding potential. But the odds of this game being particularly important are extremely low. And by the way, there are other considerations:

First, if the AFC is beating the NFC up and down all season, that's bad for the Cowboys' chances to win the SB because it means that the AFC powerhouses are still the cream of the league. The Chiefs coming back to earth is ultimately good for the Cowboys' SB-winning chances. Same if the Chiefs stumble just enough early that they end up on the road and get upset by a lesser team in the playoffs.

Second, if the Cowboys lose out on the #1 seed because the Lions are a game better in the standings, so be it, but I sincerely doubt that's how the season plays out. (If they're tied in the standings, the Cowboys are more likely to take the tiebreaker because at least one of the Lions' wins doesn't count toward the tiebreaker). If we're talking about wildcard seeding, then I really don't care, because either way it means a road path all the way through the playoffs anyway.

That’s at least an argument on behalf of rooting for Chiefs to lose. I’ll applaud for at least taking it on.

But none have answered the vital question. Which was more in the direct Cowboys interest tonight. A lions or Chiefs loss?

 

[Diehardblues]

This is beyond hilarious now.

"I'll argue we should always do X. I'll question your priorities."... "Oh, but I'm not calling out your fandom."

By your own admission, you're not having fun. I am. I ask again: if you're not having fun, what's the point of being a fan?

Easy peasy … Fun is rooting for what’s in the best interest of your team.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Easy peasy … Fun is rooting for what’s in the best interest of your team.

Then I have to ask: why weren't you having fun tonight? You literally said it was no fun for you "having to" root for the Chiefs.

 

[Diehardblues]

Then I have to ask: why weren't you having fun tonight? You literally said it was no fun for you "having to" root for the Chiefs.

Again taking it too literally. It’s always fun rooting for the Cowboys best interest .

It would have been more fun if tonight’s result benefitted the Cowboys.

But sometimes as fans we must go with our minds instead of our hearts . That’s not as much fun but we do it for our team.

 

[JD_KaPow]

That’s at least an argument on behalf of rooting for Chiefs to lose. I’ll applaud for at least taking it on.

But none have answered the vital question. Which was more in the direct Cowboys interest tonight. A lions or Chiefs loss?

That is not the vital question. You are begging the vital question, because you're so wrapped up in your world view that you can't see outside it.

The argument you've been making is: a true Cowboys fan will approach every NFL game with only one consideration in mind: how does the outcome affect the Cowboys? The vital question is: is that argument true? And the correct answer is, oh my god no.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Again taking it too literally. It’s always fun rooting for the Cowboys best interest .

It would have been more fun if tonight’s result benefitted the Cowboys.

But sometimes as fans we must go with our minds instead of our hearts . That’s not as much fun but we do it for our team.

No, you do it for yourself. The Cowboys derive no benefit from you doing it.

And once again, you have no business telling "we" fans what we "must" do. Especially when your ideas on that subject are so misguided.

And by the way, you just said, "fun is rooting for what's in the best interest of your team." Now you're saying that rooting for the best interest of your team was "not as much fun" as rooting for the Lions would have been. So again you contradict yourself.

 

[Diehardblues]

That is not the vital question. You are begging the vital question, because you're so wrapped up in your world view that you can't see outside it.

The argument you've been making is: a true Cowboys fan will approach every NFL game with only one consideration in mind: how does the outcome affect the Cowboys? The vital question is: is that argument true? And the correct answer is, oh my god no.

If your argument is as Cowboy fans we don’t always have to root for what’s in their best interest then I’m going to have to question priorities.

Honestly I’ve never heard of fans who didn’t root for teams they wouldn’t root for if it benefits the Cowboys. Im still trying to soak that in.

I’ll have to write into Dallas paper and Cowboys site and FB sites to get their feedback. It just doesn’t sound kosher.

 

[JD_KaPow]

If your argument is as Cowboy fans we don’t always have to root for what’s in their best interest then I’m going to have to question priorities.

Honestly I’ve never heard of fans who didn’t root for teams they wouldn’t root for if it benefits the Cowboys. Im still trying to soak that in.

I’ll have to write into Dallas paper and Cowboys site and FB sites to get their feedback. It just doesn’t sound kosher.

No.
True.
Scotsman.

 

[Diehardblues]

No, you do it for yourself. The Cowboys derive no benefit from you doing it.

And once again, you have no business telling "we" fans what we "must" do. Especially when your ideas on that subject are so misguided.

And by the way, you just said, "fun is rooting for what's in the best interest of your team." Now you're saying that rooting for the best interest of your team was "not as much fun" as rooting for the Lions would have been. So again you contradict yourself.

You just can’t handle someone telling you you’re not always rooting for what’s in the best interest of the Cowboys. Like it’s some referendum on your fandom. And maybe it is and you can’t handle that either.

Over the years I don’t recall conversing with you before so not aware of your history so I’ll leave it at that.

 

[JD_KaPow]

You just can’t handle someone telling you you’re not always rooting for what’s in the best interest of the Cowboys. Like it’s some referendum on your fandom. And maybe it is and you can’t handle that either.

Over the years I don’t recall conversing with you before so not aware of your history so I’ll leave it at that.

Unbelievable. I can't handle someone policing what it means to be a fan, someone so unbelievably arrogant that they believe they know the only true and proper way to do things.

Let me spell it out for you. I did not care one whit about how tonight's game will end up affecting the Cowboys' season. Yes, a Chiefs win was probably marginally better for the Cowboys (although we have no idea how the season will play out in the end). But I happily rooted for the Lions and I was thrilled to see them with the game: I had a ball. And I don't feel the tiniest bit bad about it.

And from this conversation, it's clear that the only one who's insecure about their Cowboys' fandom is the guy who admits that he's not having any fun actually being one.

 

[Diehardblues]

Unbelievable. I can't handle someone policing what it means to be a fan, someone so unbelievably arrogant that they believe they know the only true and proper way to do things.

Let me spell it out for you. I did not care one whit about how tonight's game will end up affecting the Cowboys' season. Yes, a Chiefs win was probably marginally better for the Cowboys (although we have no idea how the season will play out in the end). But I happily rooted for the Lions and I was thrilled to see them with the game: I had a ball. And I don't feel the tiniest bit bad about it.

And from this conversation, it's clear that the only one who's insecure about their Cowboys' fandom is the guy who admits that he's not having any fun actually being one.

It hasn’t been much fun this era , no doubt .

But part of being a fan is sometimes rooting for teams you wouldn’t normally because it could benefit the Cowboys. Yea, I’m an arrogant old fart. And damn proud of my history with the Cowboys over 60+ years .

It doesn’t always have to be fun. I haven’t missed a Cowboys game since 1964 and I can say these couple decades + haven’t been as much fun. Losing is never as much fun.

But at least you finally admit a Lions loss could have been more in the Cowboys interest. That progress . I’ll take it. And I apologize if I offended your fandom . But I’ve learned over the years in this forum can’t always know everyone’s priorities.

I was a season ticket holder for 4 decades and being a local have known thousand of fans personally and they all are not the same level of fans . That doesn’t mean they don’t love their team as much. Just aren’t as devoted and dedicated . And that’s fine. Everyone for whatever reason can’t be or have the time or means to be crazed diehard.

Im just trying to point everyone in a better direction which is the best interest of Cowboys football regardless the situation. Have a good night.

 

[JD_KaPow]

It hasn’t been much fun this era , no doubt .

But part of being a fan is sometimes rooting for teams you wouldn’t normally because it could benefit the Cowboys. Yea, I’m an arrogant old fart. And damn proud of my history with the Cowboys over 60+ years .

It doesn’t always have to be fun. I haven’t missed a Cowboys game since 1964 and I can say these couple decades + haven’t been as much fun. Losing is never as much fun.

But at least you finally admit a Lions loss could have been more in the Cowboys interest. That progress . I’ll take it. And I apologize if I offended your fandom . But I’ve learned over the years in this forum can’t always know everyone’s priorities.

I was a season ticket holder for 4 decades and being a local have known thousand of fans personally and they all are not the same level of fans . That doesn’t mean they don’t love their team as much. Just aren’t as devoted and dedicated . And that’s fine. Everyone for whatever reason can’t be or have the time or means to be crazed diehard.

Im just trying to point everyone in a better direction which is the best interest of Cowboys football regardless the situation. Have a good night.

I never denied a Lions loss could end up being in the Cowboys best interest. That was completely irrelevant to the discussion. And you're still at it: "part of being a fan is...." No. That's part of what being a fan is TO YOU. Not to everyone else. And that has nothing to do with what "level" of fan you or they are. It's not about "can't be" or "have the time" or "devoted" or "dedicated." I daresay I am as much those things, or more, than you, but I don't have to force myself to root for the Chiefs against the Lions in the very first game of the season to prove that, to you, me or anyone. You're "trying to point everyone in a better direction" but from where I sit, you're pointing in the wrong, and in a worse, direction. And the simple fact that you felt like you had to root for the Chiefs, when you would have had more fun and preferred rooting for the Lions, seems like a message you're sending to yourself that maybe you should listen to.

 

[Xelda]

When it comes to playoff implications you sometimes have to hold your nose and pull for a hated team like SF.

Inconceivable! When confronted with those situations, I simply root for each team to pull the other's arms off.

 

[Diehardblues]

I never denied a Lions loss could end up being in the Cowboys best interest. That was completely irrelevant to the discussion. And you're still at it: "part of being a fan is...." No. That's part of what being a fan is TO YOU. Not to everyone else. And that has nothing to do with what "level" of fan you or they are. It's not about "can't be" or "have the time" or "devoted" or "dedicated." I daresay I am as much those things, or more, than you, but I don't have to force myself to root for the Chiefs against the Lions in the very first game of the season to prove that, to you, me or anyone. You're "trying to point everyone in a better direction" but from where I sit, you're pointing in the wrong, and in a worse, direction. And the simple fact that you felt like you had to root for the Chiefs, when you would have had more fun and preferred rooting for the Lions, seems like a message you're sending to yourself that maybe you should listen to.

No, it’s totally relevant. It’s the basis of my entire argument . And if you don’t see or refuse to see then you’re not the type of Cowboys fan looking out for their best interest. You are looking out for your personal interest . Booooooooooooooooo

 

[Iago33]

It’s not that simple. If the Cowboys aren’t good enough to overcome a one game head start by the Lions, then they aren’t good enough to win the Super Bowl. In that case, the best thing for the Cowboys might be to miss the playoffs and rework the team. Failure is sometimes better in the long run.

 

[Rockport]

You still don’t get it. This isn’t a referendum on Cowboys fandom.

I’ll ask again. What was in the Cowboys best interest tonight?

Give it up. It’s obviously way over their heads and they’re riding around on their high horses.

 

[Diehardblues]

It’s not that simple. If the Cowboys aren’t good enough to overcome a one game head start by the Lions, then they aren’t good enough to win the Super Bowl. In that case, the best thing for the Cowboys might be to miss the playoffs and rework the team. Failure is sometimes better in the long run.

I’d argue we should be rooting for what’s in the best interest of the Cowboys however minimal. Which is very simple. That doesn’t take away all of the other contributing factors.

 

[JD_KaPow]

No, it’s totally relevant. It’s the basis of my entire argument . And if you don’t see or refuse to see then you’re not the type of Cowboys fan looking out for their best interest. You are looking out for your personal interest . Booooooooooooooooo

Sigh. You keep begging the question. Your argument is, "a Cowboys fan should never care about anything or derive pleasure from anything but what benefits the Cowboys, no matter how marginal or uncertain that benefit is," and that anyone who doesn't do that isn't a true fan, or is a lower-level fan, or some such nonsense. My argument is that your view of fandom is silly and that no, you are not in fact a truer or higher-level fan than I am or others are.

You simply have this weird idea that you're doing something "for the team" (you've said that), when in fact you're not doing anything for the team. The team derives no benefit from anything you do, so you can't possibly be doing it for the team. You are doing it for yourself. It makes you feel good about yourself to be the kind of fan that reduces everything to a single-team cost-benefit analysis, and to judge others who don't do that. You do this even though you admit yourself that it would be more fun to do things differently. And I'm here to tell you, you can do things differently, and it would not make you any less of a Cowboys fan.

There are other fans out there (you see this all the time) who get upset when an opponent loses a star to injury before playing the Cowboys. They say, "I want the Cowboys to beat them at full strength, or it feels cheap." This is diametrically opposed to your view, which is that anything that marginally benefits the Cowboys is a fundamental good. But those people are not less true Cowboys fans, or lower-level Cowboys fans, than you are, and it offends me that you think they are. They just have a different perspective than you do.

Whether it was better for the Cowboys for the Lions or Chiefs to win last night is irrelevant to this fundamental disagreement. Because I don't care about that. It didn't enter into my rooting calculus at all. I mean, this isn't always true. I want the 49ers and the Eagles and the Commanders and the Giants to faceplant every time out, and a large part of that is because it's good for the Cowboys. But a Lions-Chiefs interconference game in week 1 of the season? That's your litmus test? Give me a break.

 

[Dallas_Cowboys50]

Are we supposed to hate the Chiefs? I didn't get the memo.

I sure dont, especially after they kept Philthy from a 2nd Lombardi!

 

[Diehardblues]

Sigh. You keep begging the question. Your argument is, "a Cowboys fan should never care about anything or derive pleasure from anything but what benefits the Cowboys, no matter how marginal or uncertain that benefit is," and that anyone who doesn't do that isn't a true fan, or is a lower-level fan, or some such nonsense. My argument is that your view of fandom is silly and that no, you are not in fact a truer or higher-level fan than I am or others are.

You simply have this weird idea that you're doing something "for the team" (you've said that), when in fact you're not doing anything for the team. The team derives no benefit from anything you do, so you can't possibly be doing it for the team. You are doing it for yourself. It makes you feel good about yourself to be the kind of fan that reduces everything to a single-team cost-benefit analysis, and to judge others who don't do that. You do this even though you admit yourself that it would be more fun to do things differently. And I'm here to tell you, you can do things differently, and it would not make you any less of a Cowboys fan.

There are other fans out there (you see this all the time) who get upset when an opponent loses a star to injury before playing the Cowboys. They say, "I want the Cowboys to beat them at full strength, or it feels cheap." This is diametrically opposed to your view, which is that anything that marginally benefits the Cowboys is a fundamental good. But those people are not less true Cowboys fans, or lower-level Cowboys fans, than you are, and it offends me that you think they are. They just have a different perspective than you do.

Whether it was better for the Cowboys for the Lions or Chiefs to win last night is irrelevant to this fundamental disagreement. Because I don't care about that. It didn't enter into my rooting calculus at all. I mean, this isn't always true. I want the 49ers and the Eagles and the Commanders and the Giants to faceplant every time out, and a large part of that is because it's good for the Cowboys. But a Lions-Chiefs interconference game in week 1 of the season? That's your litmus test? Give me a break.

I really don’t care what level of fan you are. You want to make it about that but it’s not.

If you aren’t rooting for whats in the best interest of the Cowboys in each and every occurrence regardless how minimal, that’s up to you.

Again, I’m simply here to point it out. Which you’ve already agreed with. There’s really nothing else to discuss.