Realistic Playoff Expectations

[Amarth]

There’s only one team in the NFC that is better than Dallas and that’s SF. There is no excuse for not making the NFCCG

You forgot the refs.

 

[baltcowboy]

With the inability to stop the run or ability to run the ball, what is the realistic expectations for this team? Dak bias aside, very rarely do you see teams that are one dimensional (Dak to lamb) have success in the playoffs. When you play good teams they take away your best option (SF/Bills) game. Teams rarely win multiple playoff games when your qb has to throw for 300+ in order to win multiple games. I just don’t see this team as multiple playoff game because we lack where it really matters. I think one playoff win is a success no matter what your standards are for this team. They have major holes in at key positions that it takes to win playoff games (oline). Just my own personal opinion

The Cowboys have a good chance to have home field advantage for two games. So the expectation should be NFCG at San Francisco. The Cowboys have weaknesses but we have been undefeated at home this season. The Cowboys should beat Green Bay, Seattle, Rams, Detroit or Philadelphia at home.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Clearly, there are other options and when opponents make the mistake of giving CeeDee too much extra attention at the expense of less attention elsewhere, that "elsewhere" can make them pay.

This is true but the playoff is more about exposing your opponent's weaknesses and taking away what they do best. My guess is Ceedee can expect to see double/triple team.

 

[dlobell]

I think we make the Championship, our road to there seems pretty easy until we meet the 49ers. If I knew how those betting sites worked, I'd place money on us making the championship game

So you think the Rams are just a pushover?

 

[nightrain]

Being honest about their current state, I see a team regressing unlike many of the other playoff contenders. SF, Detroit, GB, LA, Seattle and NO will all be tough games for the Cowboys. The Cowboys OL situation is not good and their defense will wear down if on the field for 30 minutes having to defend both run and pass.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

The record head to head and the butt kicking they been giving us says otherwise, not even close. Doesn't mean we can't win.

Couple plays break the other way and it was a close game

 

[rambo2]

There is no way SF and Dallas are about even. SF is simply superior at almost every position.

They are close record wise.

 

[Carson]

No excuse to not make the NFC Championship at minimum if we win the 2.

You get the 7 seed at home
Then you get a team you beat in Rams/Detroit

 

[JoeKing]

Watch the 49ers lose in the divisional round, giving us the hosting duties for the NFCC game! A guy can dream, damn it!

 

[DuncanIso]

With the inability to stop the run or ability to run the ball, what is the realistic expectations for this team? Dak bias aside, very rarely do you see teams that are one dimensional (Dak to lamb) have success in the playoffs. When you play good teams they take away your best option (SF/Bills) game. Teams rarely win multiple playoff games when your qb has to throw for 300+ in order to win multiple games. I just don’t see this team as multiple playoff game because we lack where it really matters. I think one playoff win is a success no matter what your standards are for this team. They have major holes in at key positions that it takes to win playoff games (oline). Just my own personal opinion

As long as we get a lead...our Defense will be ok.

And we need luck. which we seem to have. 8)

 

[aikemirv]

IMO, Hankins coming back is a much bigger deal than people seem to give it credence for. Dallas wasn't having trouble stopping the run (except for SF) until he went down.

While I agree it helps, it is the defense for the runs outside the tackle box that are our killers. LB and S too small to get off blocks

 

[NDGAEDE]

Definitely NFC championship game.

 

[Brax]

With the inability to stop the run or ability to run the ball, what is the realistic expectations for this team? Dak bias aside, very rarely do you see teams that are one dimensional (Dak to lamb) have success in the playoffs. When you play good teams they take away your best option (SF/Bills) game. Teams rarely win multiple playoff games when your qb has to throw for 300+ in order to win multiple games. I just don’t see this team as multiple playoff game because we lack where it really matters. I think one playoff win is a success no matter what your standards are for this team. They have major holes in at key positions that it takes to win playoff games (oline). Just my own personal opinion

With the 2 seed anything less than a SB appearance is a failure. No excuses no more the refs or need better players it couldn’t fall any better for a deep playoff run against inferior teams

 

[big dog cowboy]

With the inability to stop the run or ability to run the ball, what is the realistic expectations for this team?

We've seen what happens when the Cowboys play good teams. They struggle because of exactly what you said. It all comes down to Dak trying to pull out a win in the last minute if possible. It's not a playoff winning formula and will catch up with them eventually. I hope and wish for a super bowl W but don't see it happening.

 

[Doomsday77]

Hankins IMHO is going to make things a lot tougher to run on us outside. That's right I said outside because #90 has been lining up as a DT many more snaps with Hankins out. Now he can go back and set the edges. I love our chances stopping the run with a healthy lineup which will get our D off the field, turn our offense loose, get the lead and then #11 goes OFF!

 

[pitt33]

Post season expectations center around these three people:

• McCarthy…and his late game situational management. He can literally short circuit. The man and his critical thinking in tight situations are unsettling.

• Quinn…his defensive alignments have come into question last week and this past Sunday. His defenses just can’t make a stop when needed towards seasons end.

• Prescott…it’s now or never with the way the playoff planets are aligning. Time to step up and show everyone.

Could this be the year for advancement?

 

[MojaveJT]

Watch the 49ers lose in the divisional round, giving us the hosting duties for the NFCC game! A guy can dream, damn it!

Ideal scenario!

 

[Hadenough]

There’s only one team in the NFC that is better than Dallas and that’s SF. There is no excuse for not making the NFCCG

Dallas can be their own worst enemy. I wouldn't bet that the Packers and Jordon Love couldn't beat them.

 

[jwitten82]

So you think the Rams are just a pushover?

Yes

 

[Creeper]

If the Cowboys don't start playing better on both sides of the ball, who they play and where the play won't matter in the playoffs, and I am including the coaching decision in my comment.

I think the defense will get better once Hankins comes back. I think when he and Odighizuwa play together the defense is a lot better. Parsons can move back outside to rush the passer and good things happen.

I have no idea what happened to the offense but if they don't find a running game I think they are in trouble. The Lions said before the game they wanted to make the Cowboys one dimensional and they practically did. I think Dak needs to trust his legs a bit more too. He seemed hesitant to run against the Lions. I think he ran twice for 5 yards. He had other opportunities to run, including on the 2nd and 14 towards the end of the game. Even if he only gets 5 yards their it keeps the clock running. Not good situational awareness.