PFF: 5 long NFL team droughts that could end in 2026

[Hawkeye0202]

Count me in.......I'm buying (lol)




https://www.pff.com/news/5-long-nfl...ocial&utm_campaign=dhtwitter&utm_content=null

5 long NFL team droughts that could end in 2026​

Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game​

This point is one that opposing fans have used to continually rib Dallas. The Cowboys haven’t reached the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 campaign despite reaching the postseason 13 times in that 30-year window.

Eternal optimism in Dallas can feel trite, but there’s legitimate reason to believe in the Cowboys entering 2026. With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens back in the fold, Brian Schottenheimer’s offense should be one of the top units in the league yet again. Meanwhile, its 32nd-ranked defense by EPA per play has received major boons in hiring coordinator Christian Parker and infusing talent like Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson, Rashan Gary and Malachi Lawrence.

 

[pitt33]

Not buying..

Not this year anyways.

Tough schedule ahead.

 

[thunderpimp91]

I’d love to be wrong but I think they’re still a year away defensively. Of course Washington made a magical run to the nfccg on the backs of their offense so it’s possible….just rare.

 

[JBS]

I’d love to be wrong but I think they’re still a year away defensively. Of course Washington made a magical run to the nfccg on the backs of their offense so it’s possible….just rare.

Eagles went from 30th in ppg allowed to 2nd the year they won the Super Bowl. It’s at least doable. Heck we made a similar jump not long ago as well.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I’d love to be wrong but I think they’re still a year away defensively. Of course Washington made a magical run to the nfccg on the backs of their offense so it’s possible….just rare.

I truly believe that if our 2025 defense was just average, we would have been in the playoffs and won a game or 2.

 

[Rockport]

Not buying..

Not this year anyways.

Tough schedule ahead.

4th toughest in the NFL.

 

[Rockport]

Count me in.......I'm buying (lol)




https://www.pff.com/news/5-long-nfl...ocial&utm_campaign=dhtwitter&utm_content=null

5 long NFL team droughts that could end in 2026​

Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game​

This point is one that opposing fans have used to continually rib Dallas. The Cowboys haven’t reached the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 campaign despite reaching the postseason 13 times in that 30-year window.

Eternal optimism in Dallas can feel trite, but there’s legitimate reason to believe in the Cowboys entering 2026. With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens back in the fold, Brian Schottenheimer’s offense should be one of the top units in the league yet again. Meanwhile, its 32nd-ranked defense by EPA per play has received major boons in hiring coordinator Christian Parker and infusing talent like Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson, Rashan Gary and Malachi Lawrence.

Malachi Lawrence getting a lot of love.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Eagles went from 30th in ppg allowed to 2nd the year they won the Super Bowl. It’s at least doable. Heck we made a similar jump not long ago as well.

Absolutely can happen, but I look at it in terms of percentages. If everything goes right the cowboys could have a top 5 defense, but I’d also give that maybe a 5% chance of happening.

We are very dependent upon young guys taking a step forward and veterans having rebound years. Very few established players at any level of the defense. Add in a 1st year playcaller and expectations should probably be more in line with an average defense more so than a top defense. If this unit is in the #15-20 range CP is probably doing a solid job based on the talent level + health concerns.

 

[Cowboys5217]

It's not going to happen. Don't have the GM for it, don't have the team for it, don't have the defense for it, don't have the QB for it.

 

[Rockport]

Absolutely can happen, but I look at it in terms of percentages. If everything goes right the cowboys could have a top 5 defense, but I’d also give that maybe a 5% chance of happening.

We are very dependent upon young guys taking a step forward and veterans having rebound years. Very few established players at any level of the defense. Add in a 1st year playcaller and expectations should probably be more in line with an average defense more so than a top defense. If this unit is in the #15-20 range CP is probably doing a solid job based on the talent level + health concerns.

They don’t need a top 5 defense. They have an offense that can put up 30 a game. Just need a defense that can hold teams to less than that.

 

[Rockport]

It's not going to happen. Don't have the GM for it, don't have the team for it, don't have the defense for it, don't have the QB for it.

Bye

 

[Cowboys5217]

Eagles went from 30th in ppg allowed to 2nd the year they won the Super Bowl. It’s at least doable. Heck we made a similar jump not long ago as well.

THE EAGLES DO NOT HAVE JERRY JONES AS GM.

I'll say that as loud as I can for the "but, but this team did it" self deluded types.

 

[JBS]

THE EAGLES DO NOT HAVE JERRY JONES AS GM.

I'll say that as loud as I can for the "but, but this team did it" self deluded types.

Jerry Jones did it himself lolol good shout

 

[Cowboys5217]

Jerry Jones did it himself lolol good shout

Oh yeah? What CCG did he get to as a result?

OOPS! *crickets*

 

[StarBoyz83]

Not buying..

Not this year anyways.

Tough schedule ahead.

Ya no. I dont even expect a good season again tbh.

 

[DoctorChicken]

Four scenarios need to play out for that to happen:

1 - The offense needs to be just as effective as it was last season

2 - Christian Parker needs to be the real deal

3 - Multiple rookies on defense need to immediately play well (Downs, Lawrence) and multiple 2nd year players need to step up (Ezereiuku, Revel)

4 - Injury luck. If Prescott goes down for an extended period, the season is over. If our OGs go down for an extended period, the season is over. Q Williams, Overshown need to stay on the field

If every single one of these happen, and we don’t play the Rams or Seahawks in the Wild Card or divisional round, sure.

It’d also help if the Eagles continued to be mediocre and toxic. The toxicity is guaranteed in their city (You? What, do you own the world? How do you own disorder?).

 

[DallasEast]

Four scenarios need to play out for that to happen:

1 - The offense needs to be just as effective as it was last season

2 - Christian Parker needs to be the real deal

3 - Multiple rookies on defense need to immediately play well (Downs, Lawrence) and multiple 2nd year players need to step up (Ezereiuku, Revel)

4 - Injury luck. If Prescott goes down for an extended period, the season is over. If our OGs go down for an extended period, the season is over. Q Williams, Overshown need to stay on the field

If every single one of these happen, and we don’t play the Rams or Seahawks in the Wild Card or divisional round, sure.

It’d also help if the Eagles continued to be mediocre and toxic. The toxicity is guaranteed in their city (You? What, do you own the world? How do you own disorder?).

I agree with number three, but the defense as a whole must prove itself as formidable out of the gate. Number two totally applies, but the unit must adopt a gritty, hardnosed, minimally mistake prone, never-say-die persona immediately. And start punishing opposing offenses. Their defensive coordinator can teach them, but they must be his sledgehammer on the field.

 

[MarkP88]

It's not impossible. Stranger things have happened. But I will believe it when I see it.

 

[75boyz]

Hard for me to imagine Guyton and Steele doing enough for the full schedule. REGARDLESS of all the adjustments Schott/Adams/Riley may attempt to protect them.

I think they are the key to team success and the primary reason the team ultimately fails.

 

[JBS]

Oh yeah? What CCG did he get to as a result?

OOPS! *crickets*

Yes bc in my original post I mentioned the ccg

Learn how to read.

Oops. Crickets.