Rooting for Eagles or Seahawks Next Week?

[cowboys1981]

Agreed with everything you said. I would like to see Detroit lose one before GB too but it isn't likely with their cake schedule. At home vs Tampa at home vs Min, on the road vs Chicago who they smashed on Thanksgiving. The team with the best shot would be Chicago if they could get their act together for just one game but it isn't likely. Especially when they have nothing to play for. Detroit is getting the first wild card spot, we need Seattle to win that division and take down AZ. If AZ loses to KC this week which is a pick em game, that would be huge for our wildcard chances.

Pretty much pulling for that Arizona ship to sink and hit rock bottom. I think Detroit gets one of WC spots as well.

 

[cowboys2233]

JMO but we just need to beat the Bears.

It sounds like a bit of a cop out, but I think it's essentially true. In looking at the standings, I think we have an odds-on chance of making the playoffs as either the division winner or wildcard but we ultimately have to win some games first and foremost. Really, the Eagles-Seahawks matchup is irrelevant at this point -- in some respects, either team losing helps us, but either team losing also hurts us.

But if you were holding my feet to the fire, I'd go with the Eagles over Seattle. We had our chance to take the division lead and we blew it. Yes, we can still win the division but let's face it, Thanksgiving was a key game from that standpoint...and we blew it big time. So I think we need to temper our dreams a little bit and look at best-case wildcard scenarios and those obviously have the Seahawks, 49ers and Lions losing as much as possible. I'm good with that, we obviously play better on the road anyway and anything can happen in the playoffs.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

If we can't beat the Bears we don't deserve and shouldn't be allowed in the playoffs.

 

[MRV52]

Too many people are giving the Eagles way too much credit. They are good but not that good. We just had an off day were are players were just not ready, playing 3 games in 12 days is ridiculous. When we play them next week it will be a totally different game. Seattle will beat them this week as Sanchez will be running for his life.

 

[MRV52]

If we can't beat the Bears we don't deserve and shouldn't be allowed in the playoffs.

I don't like our chances in Chicago and this game worries me.

 

[cowboys2233]

With 4 games left a lot of things can still happen but the Cowboys best shot at making the playoffs is to win the division. If the Cowboys take care of business in Chicago and Seattle beats Philly the Cowboys could regain the division lead with a win over Philly in week 15. The Cowboys have already dug themselves a hole for a wildcard spot with 4 conference losses and a tiebreaker disadvantage to AZ and SF. There's a log jam in the race for the wildcard spots with 7 teams that have 5 losses or less which means a 10 or even an 11 win team could end up on the outside looking in.

If Philly beats Seattle they'll be loaded with confidence heading into their week 15 rematch with the Cowboys which would set the Cowboys up for another beating. If the Cowboys lose to Philly in week 15 that will be another conference loss which will further damage their chances at a wildcard. If Philly gets past Seattle and the Cowboys they'll have the division in their grasp finishing out with Washington and the Giants. If the Cowboys get past the Bears and lose again to Philly that could set them up for another bad showing at home with the Colts and Andrew Luck coming to town. If the Cowboys don't start regaining their confidence next week they're done.

Disagree. While I understand the point, I think there is a very slim chance of winning the division after last week's debacle. To suggest that we can go into Philly and beat them is just not logical. Can it happen? Absolutely, but the odds are against it, given that they just dismantled us in the home stadium. And without that win, we have no chance of winning the division, none. On the other hand, if you look at the wildcard scenarios, it is much easier to come up with several that stand a better chance of happening, just from a probability standpoint.

My dream is that Seattle beats Philly and we go there and destroy them and take the division lead and that they have to deal with the very best Giants and Washington teams that they can be, playing at home at season's end with a chance to ruin a divisional rivals playoff chances. But logic tells me that we can (and probably will) win this game tomorrow night, Philly will beat Seattle (Seattle just doesn't have enough offensive juice to get it done at the Linc) and we go into Philly still a game down. At that point, even if we beat Philly, we'll still be a game down because of tie-breakers, and we have the Colts coming up, at our place, where we simply don't play very good.

No, if we had won on Thanksgiving, I think dreaming about the division title and a bye week would have been very valid. But now, logic and dreaming just don't coincide.

 

[CowboysFanSince88]

Disagree. While I understand the point, I think there is a very slim chance of winning the division after last week's debacle. To suggest that we can go into Philly and beat them is just not logical. Can it happen? Absolutely, but the odds are against it, given that they just dismantled us in the home stadium. And without that win, we have no chance of winning the division, none. On the other hand, if you look at the wildcard scenarios, it is much easier to come up with several that stand a better chance of happening, just from a probability standpoint.

My dream is that Seattle beats Philly and we go there and destroy them and take the division lead and that they have to deal with the very best Giants and Washington teams that they can be, playing at home at season's end with a chance to ruin a divisional rivals playoff chances. But logic tells me that we can (and probably will) win this game tomorrow night, Philly will beat Seattle (Seattle just doesn't have enough offensive juice to get it done at the Linc) and we go into Philly still a game down. At that point, even if we beat Philly, we'll still be a game down because of tie-breakers, and we have the Colts coming up, at our place, where we simply don't play very good.

No, if we had won on Thanksgiving, I think dreaming about the division title and a bye week would have been very valid. But now, logic and dreaming just don't coincide.

Seattle offense concerns me vs the eagles

 

[Alexander]

Seattle offense concerns me vs the eagles

True, but it would be fairly surprising if the Eagles are able to score on their defense which finally seems to be clicking at the level it was late last year. Looking for a low scoring game, with the Eagles being fortunate to score more than 10 points.

 

[cowboys2233]

If we can't beat the Bears we don't deserve and shouldn't be allowed in the playoffs.

Totally agree. And I'll take it one step further -- if we get to week 17 with a chance to go to the playoffs like the previous three years and can't get it done against this Commanders team, we also shouldn't be allowed to go to the playoffs. Any team that gets swept by this year's Commanders team has no business being in the playoffs, none.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

If we can't beat the Bears we don't deserve and shouldn't be allowed in the playoffs.

If we can't beat the bears, I doubt this team finishes 10-6 anyway. It wouldn't shock me if we lost all 4.

 

[KJJ]

Disagree. While I understand the point, I think there is a very slim chance of winning the division after last week's debacle. To suggest that we can go into Philly and beat them is just not logical. Can it happen? Absolutely, but the odds are against it, given that they just dismantled us in the home stadium. And without that win, we have no chance of winning the division, none. On the other hand, if you look at the wildcard scenarios, it is much easier to come up with several that stand a better chance of happening, just from a probability standpoint.

My dream is that Seattle beats Philly and we go there and destroy them and take the division lead and that they have to deal with the very best Giants and Washington teams that they can be, playing at home at season's end with a chance to ruin a divisional rivals playoff chances. But logic tells me that we can (and probably will) win this game tomorrow night, Philly will beat Seattle (Seattle just doesn't have enough offensive juice to get it done at the Linc) and we go into Philly still a game down. At that point, even if we beat Philly, we'll still be a game down because of tie-breakers, and we have the Colts coming up, at our place, where we simply don't play very good.

No, if we had won on Thanksgiving, I think dreaming about the division title and a bye week would have been very valid. But now, logic and dreaming just don't coincide.

I agree the Cowboys chances of beating Philly aren't very good but no one liked their chances of going to Seattle and winning up there. With everyone picking against them maybe that will inspire them like back in 09 when everyone thought the 13-0 Saints would crush them in the dome. The way this season has gone for the Cowboys you just never know most of us thought they would be 4-8 not 8-4 at this point. The Cowboys are undefeated on the road this season and anything is possible if they can look good beating Chicago and Seattle can beat Philly. With 4 games left a lot can happen but I still like the Cowboys chances of winning the division over gaining a wildcard spot.

If the playoffs started on Sunday the Cowboys would be sitting home with Seattle and Detroit as the wildcards. Of the teams contending for a wildcard spot 4 of them have better divisional records than the Cowboys which is the first tiebreaker. If the Cowboys lose to Philly they'll be 2-3 within the division further damaging their wildcard chances. A sweep by Philly will most likely keep them home for the playoffs. Anything can happen in the NFL it's been an unpredictable anything can happen type season we'll just have to see how things play out the next 4 games.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

If we can't beat the bears, I doubt this team finishes 10-6 anyway. It wouldn't shock me if we lost all 4.

True , it also wouldn't shock me if they go 4-0 .

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

That Det game against GB won't matter because they have 3 easy games before that...........bears, vikings, bucs

There are no easy games in the NFL . I'd bet you they won't win all 3 of those .

 

[cowboys2233]

I agree the Cowboys chances of beating Philly aren't very good but no one liked their chances of going to Seattle and winning up there. With everyone picking against them maybe that will inspire them like back in 09 when everyone thought the 13-0 Saints would crush them in the dome. The way this season has gone for the Cowboys you just never know most of us thought they would be 4-8 not 8-4 at this point. The Cowboys are undefeated on the road this season and anything is possible if they can look good beating Chicago and Seattle can beat Philly. With 4 games left a lot can happen but I still like the Cowboys chances of winning the division over gaining a wildcard spot.

If the playoffs started on Sunday the Cowboys would be sitting home with Seattle and Detroit as the wildcards. Of the teams contending for a wildcard spot 4 of them have better divisional records than the Cowboys which is the first tiebreaker. If the Cowboys lose to Philly they'll be 2-3 within the division further damaging their wildcard chances. A sweep by Philly will most likely keep them home for the playoffs. Anything can happen in the NFL it's been an unpredictable anything can happen type season we'll just have to see how things play out the next 4 games.

Don't forget, we have the tiebreaker against Seattle (head to head is actually the first tiebreaker). Seattle would be sitting at home if the playoffs started on Sunday. And is a big reason why I think the wildcard scenarios have a better chance of happening. That tiebreaker against Seattle is everything.

 

[KJJ]

Don't forget, we have the tiebreaker against Seattle (head to head is actually the first tiebreaker). Seattle would be sitting at home if the playoffs started on Sunday. And is a big reason why I think the wildcard scenarios have a better chance of happening. That tiebreaker against Seattle is everything.

You have it all wrong a head to head tiebreaker is not the first tiebreaker or the Cowboys and Detroit would be wildcards if the playoffs started Sunday. The first tiebreaker is your record within your division and Detroit is 3-0 within their division and Seattle is 2-1 which would make them the wildcards if the playoffs started Sunday. Although the Cowboys beat Seattle and both teams currently have 8-4 records the Seahawks would be the wildcard because they're 2-1 within their division and the Cowboys are 2-2. This is why if the Cowboys lose to Philly in their rematch their wildcard chances would be severely damaged. A sweep by Philly would put the Cowboys at 2-3 within their division with 4 teams currently having better divisional records.

 

[DFWJC]

If we can't beat the Bears we don't deserve and shouldn't be allowed in the playoffs.

Even if we then beat Philly, Indy, and Washington...for 11-5?
Or even 2 out of three of those to make it 10-6 (though I doubt that gets us in anyway)?

 

[cowboys2233]

You have it all wrong a head to head tiebreaker is not the first tiebreaker or the Cowboys and Detroit would be wildcards if the playoffs started Sunday. The first tiebreaker is your record within your division and Detroit is 3-0 within their division and Seattle is 2-1 which would make them the wildcards if the playoffs started Sunday. Although the Cowboys beat Seattle and both teams currently have 8-4 records the Seahawks would be the wildcard because they're 2-1 within their division and the Cowboys are 2-2. This is why if the Cowboys lose to Philly in their rematch their wildcard chances would be severely damaged. A sweep by Philly would put the Cowboys at 2-3 within their division with 4 teams currently having better divisional records.

TO BREAK A TIE FOR THE WILD-CARD TEAM
If it is necessary to break ties to determine the two Wild-Card clubs from each conference, the following steps will be taken.

1. If the tied clubs are from the same division, apply division tie breaker.
2. If the tied clubs are from different divisions, apply the following steps.

Two Clubs

1. Head-to-head, if applicable.
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
4. Strength of victory.
5. Strength of schedule.
6. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
7. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best net points in conference games.
9. Best net points in all games.
10. Best net touchdowns in all games.
11. Coin toss.

I've bolded the important parts.

 

[Staubacher]

After we beat Chicago tomorrow, Sunday will be fun. We can relax and watch the Seahawks Philthy game knowing we either have a jump on the wildcard or back in a divisional tie

 

[cowboys2233]

TO BREAK A TIE FOR THE WILD-CARD TEAM
If it is necessary to break ties to determine the two Wild-Card clubs from each conference, the following steps will be taken.

1. If the tied clubs are from the same division, apply division tie breaker.
2. If the tied clubs are from different divisions, apply the following steps.

Two Clubs

1. Head-to-head, if applicable.
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
4. Strength of victory.
5. Strength of schedule.
6. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
7. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best net points in conference games.
9. Best net points in all games.
10. Best net touchdowns in all games.
11. Coin toss.

I've bolded the important parts.

I figured it out. Your tiebreaker applies when there are 3 or more teams involved in the wildcard tiebreaker, the rules above apply to two teams. So yes, as of right now, you're correct. But if we're only dealing with one other team, the head to head is the first tiebreaker.

 

[KJJ]

TO BREAK A TIE FOR THE WILD-CARD TEAM
If it is necessary to break ties to determine the two Wild-Card clubs from each conference, the following steps will be taken.

1. If the tied clubs are from the same division, apply division tie breaker.
2. If the tied clubs are from different divisions, apply the following steps.

Two Clubs

1. Head-to-head, if applicable.
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
4. Strength of victory.
5. Strength of schedule.
6. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
7. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best net points in conference games.
9. Best net points in all games.
10. Best net touchdowns in all games.
11. Coin toss.

I've bolded the important parts.

The Cowboys are currently "in the hunt" while Seattle and Detroit are currently the wildcards. Click on the link and see for yourself.

http://www.nfl.com/playoffs/playoff-picture