PLAYOFFS: Who would you rather play?

[Dallas22]

Since we can't get worse than the 5th seed in the Playoffs, and that is looking a lot like what we will probably get, whom would you rather we play???

Of course, if we beat Detroit on Sunday and the eaGALS lose to the Falcons, I know that we would get the 3rd seed and a home playoff game - for some reason I am afraid that when we play at home and/or are favorite, the Cowboys slack A LOT as a team. In a weird way, I almost hope that we are the underdogs and are playing away... maybe that will make us focus better for our opponent and play harder.

Anyways, IF we get very lucky and get the 3rd seed, then we'd paly a home game against the 6th seed, which could be the Giants, Falcons, Panthers, Green Bay or St. Louis. out of those I wouldn't want to play New York, Atlanta or Carolina because those teams have already played us and can make adjustments, UNLIKE the way we prepare for teams. The Giants are in our division and know us very well, even though they lost 3 main guys for the season on IR (Strahan being the key guy). Vick can run and our defense would have to adjust to that which is a toss up. Although Carolina, like the Giants, are hurting at major positions, I still consider them a dangerous team and I'm a bit wearing of playing them. I'd rather play Green Bay over those other 4 teams, with St. Louis next, but I do think that they are also a dangerous team, although their defense is weak like ours.

Realistically, we will end up in the 5th seed, which would mean that the eaGALS would've beat Atlanta and hold down the division and the 3rd seed. This means that we'd play Seattle. Unless we lose AND Phily loses and Seattle wins, that would PROBABLY be the other way we would paly in Phily. As long as we beat the Lions, then we can only get either the 3rd or 5th seed.
Honestly, I'd rather play the Seahawks in Seattle than in Phily. Seattle "seems" to have a team that we could probably hang with better. Without a mobile QB like Hassleback, and a typical, but very good RB like Alexander, I think that we could play them better with out Defense. The eaGALS know us very well (from our 2 embarresing losses AND the fact that they are a hated divison rival), plus have a versitle RB like Westbrook, a good OL and a mobile and smart QB like Jeff "Gay" Garcia. Plus in Phily with those f'ed up fans along with the T.O. hype, would probably mean the end to our season. At least Seattle doesn't know us as much and hopefully we can give it a better game.

If we win our first playoff game (LOL!), then we'd probably be going to Chicago for the division playoff game (unless the 6th seed team beats Phily). At this point in the season, the way our team is looking, I'd take THAT as a sucessful season - just having the CHANCE to play in Chicago (or New Orleans again, but I think that would be tougher because Sean Payton KNOWS our team inside and out!) in the 2nd round of the NFC playoffs.

We shall see... at least we MADE the playoffs. It could've been better and we might have gotten the 2nd seed and a bye, but now that "dream" is over and reality is here. We are looking at probably a 5th seed road playoff game against Seattle.

What are you all thinking and hoping for???

GO COWBOYS!!!

Dallas22

 

[Yeagermeister]

It doesn't matter with the way we are playing. We'd lose to Sister Mary's School for the Blind.

 

[Sarge]

Since we can't get worse than the 5th seed in the Playoffs, and that is looking a lot like what we will probably get, whom would you rather we play???

Of course, if we beat Detroit on Sunday and the eaGALS lose to the Falcons, I know that we would get the 3rd seed and a home playoff game - for some reason I am afraid that when we play at home and/or are favorite, the Cowboys slack A LOT as a team. In a weird way, I almost hope that we are the underdogs and are playing away... maybe that will make us focus better for our opponent and play harder.

Anyways, IF we get very lucky and get the 3rd seed, then we'd paly a home game against the 6th seed, which could be the Giants, Falcons, Panthers, Green Bay or St. Louis. out of those I wouldn't want to play New York, Atlanta or Carolina because those teams have already played us and can make adjustments, UNLIKE the way we prepare for teams. The Giants are in our division and know us very well, even though they lost 3 main guys for the season on IR (Strahan being the key guy). Vick can run and our defense would have to adjust to that which is a toss up. Although Carolina, like the Giants, are hurting at major positions, I still consider them a dangerous team and I'm a bit wearing of playing them. I'd rather play Green Bay over those other 4 teams, with St. Louis next, but I do think that they are also a dangerous team, although their defense is weak like ours.

Realistically, we will end up in the 5th seed, which would mean that the eaGALS would've beat Atlanta and hold down the division and the 3rd seed. This means that we'd play Seattle. Unless we lose AND Phily loses and Seattle wins, that would PROBABLY be the other way we would paly in Phily. As long as we beat the Lions, then we can only get either the 3rd or 5th seed.
Honestly, I'd rather play the Seahawks in Seattle than in Phily. Seattle "seems" to have a team that we could probably hang with better. Without a mobile QB like Hassleback, and a typical, but very good RB like Alexander, I think that we could play them better with out Defense. The eaGALS know us very well (from our 2 embarresing losses AND the fact that they are a hated divison rival), plus have a versitle RB like Westbrook, a good OL and a mobile and smart QB like Jeff "Gay" Garcia. Plus in Phily with those f'ed up fans along with the T.O. hype, would probably mean the end to our season. At least Seattle doesn't know us as much and hopefully we can give it a better game.

If we win our first playoff game (LOL!), then we'd probably be going to Chicago for the division playoff game (unless the 6th seed team beats Phily). At this point in the season, the way our team is looking, I'd take THAT as a sucessful season - just having the CHANCE to play in Chicago (or New Orleans again, but I think that would be tougher because Sean Payton KNOWS our team inside and out!) in the 2nd round of the NFC playoffs.

We shall see... at least we MADE the playoffs. It could've been better and we might have gotten the 2nd seed and a bye, but now that "dream" is over and reality is here. We are looking at probably a 5th seed road playoff game against Seattle.

What are you all thinking and hoping for???

GO COWBOYS!!!

Dallas22

If you are THAT worried about who we are playing, well,that speaks volumes. If we were good enough, wouldn't care WHO we were playing.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

If you are THAT worried about who we are playing, well,that speaks volumes. If we were good enough, wouldn't care WHO we were playing.

We aren't good enough. The last two home whippins showed that.

 

[Doomsday101]

Does not matter to me who Dallas has to face in the playoffs. I think if we can play up to our abilities we have a chance to do something if not then we will not go far. Myself I'm not willing to throw in the towel and give up on this team. It appears others are

 

[rynochop]

I just don't know with this team anymore. I could see us win 3 straight in the playoffs and go to the SB.

Or lose to Detroit on Sunday and flame out in the first round. I'm done trying to figure this team out...i'll just sit back and root for them.

 

[Rackat]

Chicago – Baltimore did it in 2000 with Trent Dilfer at the helm and an overwhelming Defense. I don’t see Rex Grossman being as good as Dilfer, and Dilfer was an average QB. I think the Bears are very beatable if their opponent does not turn the ball over. It also helped to be playing in the NFC North this year. Probably will make it to the NFC Title Game and on to the Super Bowl if they get turnovers.

Seattle – Backed in to the Division Title and the Playoffs because of the division they are in. Madden’s curse decended on Shaun Alexander early and has not relented. Hasselback is back down to Earth without Alexander to take the pressure off with his running. Their Defense is very beatable. I don’t see them making the NFC Title game. If this is Dallas’ opponent in the 1st round, I think Dallas goes on to play another game.

Philidelphia – Garcia is playing well in place of McNabb. He had our number Monday night. He knew what was at stake and played like it. It helped that he was playing against TO and had a revenge chip on his shoulder too. Their Defense is very good, not Chicago or Baltimore good, but just a step or two down. Could easily make it to the NFC Title Game.

New orleans – Most well-rounded of the NFC teams. Pretty good Defense, dang good Offense. I think Dallas or Philly could beat them in the 2nd round though. The pressure of being the Saints will be too much and the history of chokes will come back to bite them. I think they exit after their 1st playoff game.

Dallas – enigmatic is a good way to describe this team. They could play lights out, or shoot themselves in the foot. The pieces are there. But I don’t know if the Coaching is, especially on Defense. If they show up to play, they’ll do well. If they play Seattle in the 1st round, then they will probably get beat in Round two. If it is a match up with New Orleans, they may make it through to the NFC Title Game. They will be playing to erase that humiliating defeat by the Saints at home.

(Last Wild Card) – Whoever gets the last wild card will more than likely make an early exit. I don’t see the Giants, Falcons, or any of the other teams that could make it in doing anything once they’re there. 1st round loss.

My guess for the NFC Super Bowl team:
Dallas

It is a Homer pick, but it is after all, in my opinion..

 

[aikemirv]

Does not matter to me who Dallas has to face in the playoffs. I think if we can play up to our abilities we have a chance to do something if not then we will not go far. Myself I'm not willing to throw in the towel and give up on this team. It appears others are

I'm not either, but we need to get it going this week. We need to make some changes and find a way to get pressure on the QB most importantly. If we get the defense straight, the offense will take care of itself.

We went into NY and won the biggest game of the year for us. Hostile territory and everything was on the line. New Orleans we laid a serious egg but bounced back versus Atlanta with another huge win to ensure the playoffs.

BP was a bit concerned about the players on this team just being excited that they were in the playoffs and they played like that on Monday. I think the one and done situation in the playoffs on the road is something that will get this team on the right track.

 

[D-BOI99]

PLAYOFFS! you want to talk about PLAYOFFS! I just hope we can win another game.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Seattle is the best option for this team right now, although, with our Defense playing as bad as they are, they are not a gimmie. Until that Defense can get any semblance of consistant pressure on the QB, we are going to see a pretty fair amount of scoring from the opposition.

I hate to say it, but I am becoming a G.R.O.Z. convert!

 

[DipChit]

We need to make some changes and find a way to get pressure on the QB most importantly. If we get the defense straight, the offense will take care of itself.

But why cant it be the other way around to some degree or another since the O is the strength of our team? Putting up points of your own can help your D by forcing the other O to try and keep up.. having to do things they wouldnt necessarily do if they're the ones leading.

We cant be as disjointed as we were on offense the other day (or against the Saints to a degree) and expect to do anything either.

The score was only 16-7 after 3 quarters no matter how bad the defense was. Why isnt it just as concerning that we didnt already have at least 16 or more ourselves at that point?

 

[Deputy493]

To be honest I would rather play on the road, this team seems to play better. I point to three very important games at Texas Stadium that all had great importance.....NY Giants, Saints, and Eagles and Dallas played their 3 worst games of the year.................

I would just assume play on the road against Seattle............our team isn't going far this year with that horrid defense anyway.

 

[TheSkaven]

Thanks for the post. I know some people are cavalier about saying that we shouldn't care who we play. I will tell you right now that in '92 through '95, when we had one of the top 10 teams in NFL HISTORY, I still cared about the playoff matchups. The talk about who cares who we play is just bravado.

So, having said that, I will tell you that the Cowboys can only be the #3 or the #5 seed. They cannot fall to the #6 seed and they cannot get the #4 seed. The #4 seed is a division winner, and in order to win the division, the Cowboys would have to win another game (making them at least one game better than the Seahawks).

I believe, and I have said this for the last three weeks, that the #5 is a better spot for this team. The Cowboys have a better record on the road than at home, and the Seahawks are a likely 8-8 team who will have lost 4 straight going into the playoffs. I think that Dallas matches up much better against them than the Giants or even Falcons.

Even better, if you project past the Seahawks (which seems insane to do, but I will anyway), they would likely play the Bears, which is a much better matchup than the Saints.

Mark my words, right now.. whoever the #3 is and the #5 seed is, I project that the #5 seed advances to the second round while the #3 seed is one and done.

Edit: Oops, just re-read my post and realized if the #3 seed is one and done, we'd probably be on the road and play the Saints. Rats!

 

[Sarge]

We aren't good enough. The last two home whippins showed that.

You're probably correct, unfortunately.

 

[The Fonz]

It is not a sure thing we will beat Seattle at home and in a playoffs game.This team will be lucky to beat the Lions.

 

[Rampage]

we will be the 5th seed and we will play seattle 1st

 

[jazzcat22]

It doesn't matter with the way we are playing. We'd lose to Sister Mary's School for the Blind.

Right. We would have lost to Southlake Carroll the way we played, and the way they played in the 2nd half of that game last Saturday night. Tre' Newton [Nate's son] looked better than Julius did.
3 TD's including a 74 yard run.

 

[Garland powerplay]

Hasselbeck will shred the defense if he's givin time like the past few games w/ out Ellis at pass rush. That was the biggest loss going unnoticed.

 

[Dallas22]

For the Cowboys NO TEAM is a gimmie win - obviously. But at the same time, we can BEAT anyone in the league, NFC or AFC. We just seem to play better on the road as the underdog. Seattle, I think, would be the most "favorable" match-up, but still will be a tough game for us and if Hasslebeck gets time to throw, it's over for us.

We shall see... GO COWBOYS!!!

Dallas22