Sticky: Poll: How confident are you about this team going into 2026?

[Flamma]

I chose B, but I agreed with B, C, and D. If we make the playoffs and are 1 and done, that's B and D. But I guess B is more optimistic.

 

[big dog cowboy]

We still have a very challenging schedule this year.

No we really don't.

Other teams fear playing us more.

 

[Flamma]

Of course. Easy assessment to see this team as a playoff team, but a champ contender?

Yeah, 14% might be a few ticks higher than expected. With any poll, you always have that 10-12%. We haven't been a true contender in 10-12 years.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

NFL training camps and pre-season games are under way. And in Oxnard, there is certainly a more positive feel than in the last two seasons.

So here’s the big question: With the excitement of a new season, new defensive coordinator, an apparently good draft (so far), and some other key player acquisitions…how confident are you in the Cowboys going into the 2026 season? And tell us why you picked that answer.

Will this team meet its positive expectations, exceed them, or be what they’ve been lately?

I picked C as my answer. Although I like a lot of what I’m seeing early, hype is always strong in TC. I will wait until the real bullets fly before determining what this team probably is.

Very happy you gave us the rare "in between" option on this poll.

 

[zrinkill]

really?

Glad you decided to vote finally.

 

[shabazz]

Is there an internet outage in Hawaii or something?

I would start looking at the refugee camps in the Netherlands.......we've got more than a few disgruntled ones interned there.

 

[dupree89]

Glad you decided to vote finally.

i voted before i posted pal

 

[shabazz]

Will the commodes and gnats continue being bottom feeders?

The Gnats could be in a similar situation in that they make strides like us.

New proven HC and their high draft picks have to at least get them more competitive

 

[zrinkill]

i voted before i posted pal

No you did not.

But keep trying

 

[dupree89]

No you did not.

But keep trying

well, im not gonna sit here and argue about something as silly as this is.
have a nice Sunday.

 

[zrinkill]

well, im not gonna sit here and argue about something as silly as this is.
have a nice Sunday.

You too

 

[kskboys]

Defense wins championships.

Sam Darnold, Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson and Jim McMahon approve this message.

Not to mention Eli Manning, Terry Bradshaw, Tom Brady, Jalen Hurts, Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson.......etc.....

All of those guys won super bowls due to D.

 

[kskboys]

Will the commodes and gnats continue being bottom feeders?

Philly is quickly headed that way. Giants are on the way up. Cowboys could easily be the class of the division this season. That is my opinion.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

no one talks about winning the div !! Even shotty, he talks SB , but no div talk!
I think winning the div is important , if you want to do good in playoffs , or have a chance at getting to champ game and SB.

I think this team can take the div this year and at least win the div round game and get to the champ game.
They split with phil last season, with the worst def in the league, so I dont think phil will be winning the div this season.

Why be cautious about predicting big , or believing in this team ?? You dont lose anything if your wrong lol.

Agreed, and the easiest way for things to break right for you in the playoffs is to win the division (obviously, the 1 seed is the easiest to the SB, but that's probably the Rams seed this year). And I think the Eagles are going to be taking a step back this year. If we are at our best, the only possible threat might actually be the Giants imo.

 

[kskboys]

Yeah, 14% might be a few ticks higher than expected. With any poll, you always have that 10-12%. We haven't been a true contender in 10-12 years.

I voted A simply because there was no option for a fer shore playoff team. I don't see any way we don't make the playoffs this season. I mean, we were 7-9-1 last season and added a ton of good talent. Hard to see us not having 3 more wins than last season. My prediction is around 12 wins.

 

[McKDaddy]

Towards the end of the season, the teams that do well in the playoffs, kick it into another gear. I watched the Cowboys enough in this 30 year drought to not get overconfident unless you see that happening.

Yep, for far too long the best version of this team has been the early season one. Other teams are still growing, exploring, getting better in the second half of the season, while we keep playing at the same level.

 

[McKDaddy]

I'm going B2. I am more optimistic than normal that this could actually be a pretty decent all around team this season. As such, playoffs would seem within reach. But I think this schedule will test them more than normal and I need to see them rise up to those levels of competition before I have confidence.

So, I'm going with "Playoff Possibility with 30 year drought lack of confidence"

 

[jazzcat22]

I think they are a playoff caliber team. But I won't say a contender until after I see them on the field. Then it may take 5 or 6 games.
However the season could end differently than it begins, in either direction.
But I feel the will improve as the season goes along.

I do think they can win the division. Depends if and how much Philly slips. Not that I feel Philly is that much better. But they are the division champs the last 2 years.

 

[kskboys]

I think they are a playoff caliber team. But I won't say a contender until after I see them on the field. Then it may take 5 or 6 games.
However the season could end differently than it begins, in either direction.
But I feel the will improve as the season goes along.

I do think they can win the division. Depends if and how much Philly slips. Not that I feel Philly is that much better. But they are the division champs the last 2 years.

Sure, but last season it was out of default, as Philly's D slipped from 1st to 13th, and Hurts got exposed for being the limited QB that he is. Philly was 11-6, not close to being some juggernaut. If Jerry hadn't done such a horrific job w/ our D before last season, we would've easily won the division.

 

[jazzcat22]

Sure, but last season it was out of default, as Philly's D slipped from 1st to 13th, and Hurts got exposed for being the limited QB that he is. Philly was 11-6, not close to being some juggernaut. If Jerry hadn't done such a horrific job w/ our D before last season, we would've easily won the division.

Oh yes I agree. Between that and the injuries. That kept us out of the playoffs and even possibly the division.
This is why I feel the team is a playoff team. But will stop at that point. Just get to the playoffs, possibly win the division. Then we can talk contender or not. Also depends how the other playoff teams look.

Seattle and the Rams are considered favorites. But they may not be the juggernauts most think they will be.