Please don't start the "must-win" stuff

[CowboysFanSince88]

Next week's game against Philadelphia is not a must-win game. It would be a good game for us to win, especially considering that it's on the road against our main rival for the division. However, the Eagles have a tough slate of games, starting with us and then ending with us. It is likely our home game against them will be must-win, but this week isn't ... unless, of course, the Eagles don't lose any more games this year. If that's the case, though, it probably wouldn't matter if we beat them twice unless someone here thinks we're not going to lose another game this year. This season is a long way from being decided. Who would have thunk that after thumping us the 49ers would lose their next three?

Its only a must win if they want to win the NFC east. Otherwise it would just be another loss and confirmation Dak cant win on road against winning teams

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I'd say considering a non-elimination game must-win is more of a millennial thing. Those of us who've been around for a while know what must-win means.

Given that the lion's share of this board is not millennials and the garbage being spewed this take does not withstand scrutiny.

 

[Diehardblues]

I'd say considering a non-elimination game must-win is more of a millennial thing. Those of us who've been around for a while know what must-win means.

Right!!!

Don’t know about the milinneal thing but it carries more meaning .

My hunch is some fans don’t like presenting these high importance on games cause if lose presents a more negative narrative.

It’s like they are wanting to present damage control ahead of the game in case we lose.

 

[Diehardblues]

It’s only a must win if they want to win the NFC east. Otherwise it would just be another loss and confirmation Dak cant win on road against winning teams

And not just our QB but entire team can’t win big games.

These type of games are must if you want to elevate yourself. It doesn’t mean we won’t get another shot but this is one of those opportunities if you are serious contender.

 

[CowboysFanSince88]

And not just our QB but entire team can’t win big games.

These type of games are must if you want to elevate yourself. It doesn’t mean we won’t get another shot but this is one of those opportunities if you are serious contender.

I been waiting for 7 years for Dak to elevate himself lol

 

[gimmesix]

Unlike every other sport, the NFL season is so short that every game is important. Must win? Maybe not, but there are limited opps for notching victories.

I wouldn't argue against that. It's an important game. If we lose, thankfully unless Philly doesn't lose another game this season, we should have an opportunity to make up for it by beating Philly at home. But it obviously makes it tougher because we've lost two NFC games and the Eagles have only lost an AFC game, so we really would need to finish a game ahead of them or they'd need to lose some NFC games. The head-to-head victories would make it easier as far as the division and HFA go, which isn't really where must-win comes into play.

As I said earlier, I think one reason our fans feel like this is a must-win game is because they don't trust us in the playoffs. If we don't have home-field advantage, then they feel we will be eliminated there so we have to win home-field advantage. The team has earned that kind of doubt, but the first goal is to not be eliminated from making the playoffs and this game really doesn't affect that, which was the point.

 

[Diehardblues]

I been waiting for 7 years for Dak to elevate himself lol

I thought that was entire reason we were excited about this defense was to help elevate us and team.

Dak obviously hadn’t been enough to elevate us more without a great defense.

 

[Tabascocat]

I mean, it is really this simple. Do you want Dallas playing at home on turf or on the road on grass in the playoffs? Lose this game and the road to the SB gets extremely difficult.

 

[gimmesix]

Right!!!

Don’t know about the milinneal thing but it carries more meaning .

My hunch is some fans don’t like presenting these high importance on games cause if lose presents a more negative narrative.

It’s like they are wanting to present damage control ahead of the game in case we lose.

That wasn't my purpose but some do seem to think it is. I simply get tired of the must-win thing because it is misused. It is a highly important game. I won't overreact if it's a loss, but it makes our chances of winning the division and home-field more precarious. It does not eliminate them, either, though.

I full-on expect a total meltdown if we lose. In fact, it's kind of funny, I didn't start watching Sunday's game until the second half and while I'm watching the second half, I decided to read the game thread about the first half. For most of the first quarter, you would have thought we had the worst team on the planet.

 

[HungryLion]

Must win? No.

If the cowboys want to win the #1 seed it is really really really important though.

 

[gimmesix]

Given that the lion's share of this board is not millennials and the garbage being spewed this take does not withstand scrutiny.

I don't know. I'd think the old-timers here, like me, would understand what must-win means. Might not be the millennials, but I have to think it's a generation of Cowboys fans who weren't adults the last time we made the Super Bowl that would have this warped understanding of must-win.

 

[Diehardblues]

I wouldn't argue against that. It's an important game. If we lose, thankfully unless Philly doesn't lose another game this season, we should have an opportunity to make up for it by beating Philly at home. But it obviously makes it tougher because we've lost two NFC games and the Eagles have only lost an AFC game, so we really would need to finish a game ahead of them or they'd need to lose some NFC games. The head-to-head victories would make it easier as far as the division and HFA go, which isn't really where must-win comes into play.

As I said earlier, I think one reason our fans feel like this is a must-win game is because they don't trust us in the playoffs. If we don't have home-field advantage, then they feel we will be eliminated there so we have to win home-field advantage. The team has earned that kind of doubt, but the first goal is to not be eliminated from making the playoffs and this game really doesn't affect that, which was the point.

Of course. That’s a given . I don’t think anyone is disputing that.

But if we are intent on elevating ourselves with at least one or two playoff games at home which provides us a better opportunity to advance then winning the division and a higher seed is optimum situation.

Which I thought was the goal heading into this season was we thought we had enough to be a more serious contender which would include winning division .

If we are just a Wild Card team and needing to win on the road throughout the playoffs it’s difficult to see this team elevated from previous seasons. And that’s fine if that’s all we are. But again that’s not what the goals were.

And why it’s being argued if we want to meet those goals and hype set forth this is one of those opportunities to elevate ourselves atop the division and conference. Then we have something to get real excited about.

Not sure why everyone can’t get on board .

 

[gimmesix]

Of course. That’s a given . I don’t think anyone is disputing that.

But if we are intent on elevating ourselves with at least one or two playoff games at home which provides us a better opportunity to advance then winning the division and a higher seed is optimum situation.

Which I thought was the goal heading into this season was we thought we had enough to be a more serious contender which would include winning division .

If we are just a Wild Card team and needing to win on the road throughout the playoffs it’s difficult to see this team elevated from previous seasons. And that’s fine if that’s all we are. But again that’s not what the goals were.

And why it’s being argued if we want to meet those goals and hype set forth this is one of those opportunities to elevate ourselves atop the division and conference. Then we have something to get real excited about.

Not sure why everyone can’t get on board .

If you read back through this thread, I think you would find that it is not a given. I think a lot of it, though, is some applying must-win inappropriately. It shouldn't be surprising, though, since words are butchered every day. (I'm a journalist, so my living is based on words and it bugs me when they are misappropriated.)

It is certainly one of those opportunities to elevate ourselves, and I'd love for everyone to get on board of that and off the must-win train. Some, like you, get that it is not a must-win, and saying that does not lower the importance of the game. It's just accurate based on the meaning of the term.

 

[Diehardblues]

That wasn't my purpose but some do seem to think it is. I simply get tired of the must-win thing because it is misused. It is a highly important game. I won't overreact if it's a loss, but it makes our chances of winning the division and home-field more precarious. It does not eliminate them, either, though.

I full-on expect a total meltdown if we lose. In fact, it's kind of funny, I didn't start watching Sunday's game until the second half and while I'm watching the second half, I decided to read the game thread about the first half. For most of the first quarter, you would have thought we had the worst team on the planet.

I certainly wouldn’t use this forum as a measurement .

And there would be no reason to over react if we lose. I’d advise to stay away from this site during games especially losses. Social media is ridiculous.

 

[Diehardblues]

If you read back through this thread, I think you would find that it is not a given. I think a lot of it, though, is some applying must-win inappropriately. It shouldn't be surprising, though, since words are butchered every day. (I'm a journalist, so my living is based on words and it bugs me when they are misappropriated.)

It is certainly one of those opportunities to elevate ourselves, and I'd love for everyone to get on board of that and off the must-win train.

Depends on the meaning or context of must win. Which in this case doesn’t mean season ending.

 

[gimmesix]

I certainly wouldn’t use this forum as a measurement .

And there would be no reason to over react if we lose. I’d advise to stay away from this site during games especially losses. Social media is ridiculous.

I stayed away pretty much the entire week after the San Francisco loss. I already was disappointed enough that we performed so poorly. Didn't need the overreactions to push me on over the cliff.

 

[Diehardblues]

I stayed away pretty much the entire week after the San Francisco loss. I already was disappointed enough that we performed so poorly. Didn't need the overreactions to push me on over the cliff.

Yea, so ridiculous. They expect us to lose and then bash us for it. Such a waste of time.

 

[gimmesix]

Depends on the meaning or context of must win. Which in this case doesn’t mean season ending.

But the meaning of must-win is tied to elimination. This game eliminates us from nothing. Does it make our path more difficult if we lose? Absolutely.

 

[Diehardblues]

I really think we have a shot at beating Egirls . And this is the opportunity we’d hoped for to be on top of division and conference .

If we want to be the best, we have to beat the best.

 

[Bob-Lillys-War]

Its a must win , yes .