Post season advantage

[BourbonBalz]

I've been thinking about the playoffs and I think we have one fairly big advantage over the rest of the teams (in addition to probable home field). Almost all NFL teams play more conservatively in the playoffs. They just don't want to make critical mistakes. They take less chances, particularly on offense. In other words, they veer a bit from their norm. We do not have to do this at all. We've ran a pretty conservative offense and defense all season. We're one of the highest scoring offenses and one of the least scored on defenses, yet we've still been pretty conservative. Why? Because we've also been very efficient on offense, have not turned the ball over, and have stiffened defensively in the red zone. My whole point is we don't have to really change a thing when the playoffs start. Our opponents almost certainly will. I see that as a substantial advantage.

 

[CATCH17]

Yep..

We impose our will and don't rely too much on rhythm passing.

NFL defenses are built to stop the pass so we have a big advantage over a lot of these teams.

 

[Fmart322]

Here's another advantage. The Cowboys, with all of these night/prime time games, (thanksgiving, TNF, 2 SNF, MNF) will hopefully have their players used to that type of environment.
They should be used to the big stage by then. Hopefully these night games help them.

 

[JBS]

Here's another advantage. The Cowboys, with all of these night/prime time games, (thanksgiving, TNF, 2 SNF, MNF) will hopefully have their players used to that type of environment.
They should be used to the big stage by then. Hopefully these night games help them.

We play the maximum number of prime time games every year

It hasn't helped in 20 years

 

[pugilist]

well yes, except we don't take the ball away so that pretty much renders the advantage you are describing useless

so i can see teams facing us in the playoffs either stick to what got them there or take more chances down field

 

[JJHLH1]

We play the maximum number of prime time games every year

It hasn't helped in 20 years

That's true, but the current team is led by 2 rookies. The big stage doesn't seem to bother them in the slightest, which is an encouraging sign.

I think the OP makes a valid point. Hopefully we can secure home-field advantage. That would be huge.

 

[Fletch]

Here's another advantage. The Cowboys, with all of these night/prime time games, (thanksgiving, TNF, 2 SNF, MNF) will hopefully have their players used to that type of environment.
They should be used to the big stage by then. Hopefully these night games help them.

That's a really good observation when ya think about it. Lots of prime time games, especially of late. The spot light is white hot. The stage has already been big now for awhile. It gets bigger for the playoffs, but nothing monumental for this young team who seem too young to care, and just wanna win!

 

[BourbonBalz]

well yes, except we don't take the ball away so that pretty much renders the advantage you are describing useless

so i can see teams facing us in the playoffs either stick to what got them there or take more chances down field

I have no idea why you think our lack of turnovers (creating them) has anything to do with the point I was making.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I have no idea why you think our lack of turnovers (creating them) has anything to do with the point I was making.

well yes, except we don't take the ball away so that pretty much renders the advantage you are describing useless

so i can see teams facing us in the playoffs either stick to what got them there or take more chances down field

I assume you're trying to say since we don't cause a lot of turnovers, teams will play us as they would in the regular season? If so, I don't buy it. Teams ALWAYS play more conservative in the playoffs regardless. Besides, just because we've had a hard time producing turnovers doesn't mean we can't or won't going forward.

 

[MRV52]

Here is the most important fact. If we win the next 2 games we lock up #1 seed. We can rest players if we want, while the remaining playoff teams will be slugging it out till the last game of the season. Draining themselves even further as every game will be a playoff game for them.

 

[Scotman]

We play the maximum number of prime time games every year

It hasn't helped in 20 years

Jeez...what if it did help? What if we were actually worse over the last 20 years? :-( Now I'm sad.

 

[LocimusPrime]

 

[robbieruff]

We play the maximum number of prime time games every year

It hasn't helped in 20 years

Pearls before swine until now. Now it won't be wasted.

 

[dogunwo]

That's true, but the current team is led by 2 rookies. The big stage doesn't seem to bother them in the slightest, which is an encouraging sign.

I think the OP makes a valid point. Hopefully we can secure home-field advantage. That would be huge.

I remember when Rachel Nichols asked Dak about being intimidated playing in Lambeau field. Dak's response was that it didn't matter because he was used to playing in front of raucous SEC crowds that are much larger. She seemed to laugh off his response as if it were ridiculous to compare a college stadium with an NFL stadium.

Looks like Dak was right. Suck it Rachel.

 

[Zman5]

Top teams in each conference with best PPG differential has made the SB past few years. We were #1 before last week. We are at #2 currently with NE being #1. We've been 1 or 2 most of the year in PPG differential.

 

[Fmart322]

That's one point I was trying to make. Each year teams lose about 1/4 to 1/3 of their rosters, these night games late in the year could help to build them into a team that will be ready for night time playoff games.

That's true, but the current team is led by 2 rookies. The big stage doesn't seem to bother them in the slightest, which is an encouraging sign.

I think the OP makes a valid point. Hopefully we can secure home-field advantage. That would be huge.