Something to think about

[Reality]

If you take out wins/loses against the Cowboys, these are the records of the last 3 teams we have faced:

4-0 ... San Francisco 49ers
3-0 ... Washington Commanders
4-0 ... Detroit Lions

Now you can go on and on about what-if's, coulda's and shoulda's, but if you ask yourself this question and answer is honestly, your perspective and outlook might just change a little.

The Setting: If the Cowboys have not played any of those three teams and are sitting here 2-2 as they are now and you can even throw in the Romo/team collapses just to set the negative mood. The next three games coming up will be against the 49ers, Commanders and Lions.

Now ask yourself this question...

Question: Would you be happy if the Cowboys win 2 out of the next 3 games against opponents who are a combined 11-0?

I am in no way trying to say everything is great because it's not. Even in the above scenario we are sitting here 2-2.

I am just simply trying to point out that despite the fact that going into the season, most us (myself included) assumed we would win those three games against easy opponents and in no way expected to see all three of them leading their divisions.

Looking back, 2 out of 3 wins against teams with no losses outside of to us looks a little better to me after considering this.

I'm sure the "we suck!" crowd will now chime in .. I mean this is a non-negative thread yet to be touched by the righteous hate it deserves for daring to look on the bright side!

#reality

 

[Stash]

I don't think you're off-base here at all.

But the craziness of this season is that someone else can mention that we're a few plays from 0-4 and be technically right as well.

That is how maddening this season has been thus far.

There are many pleasant surprises for me:

The offensive line looking better than I had hoped.

The defense coming together sooner than I had expected.

A kicker apparently emerging.

A #3 wide receiver in Laurent Robinson.

We signed a fullback!

I think there are a lot of positives that can be pointed to, but unfortunately, the sting of another one 'that got away' still lingers to some extent.

If we can eliminate mistakes that have cost us two wins, I am very excited for the prospects of this team going forward.

 

[craig71]

I don't think you're off-base here at all.

But the craziness of this season is that someone else can mention that we're a few plays from 0-4 and be technically right as well.

That is how maddening this season has been thus far.

There are many pleasant surprises for me:

The offensive line looking better than I had hoped.

The defense coming together sooner than I had expected.

A kicker apparently emerging.

A #3 wide receiver in Laurent Robinson.

We signed a fullback!

I think there are a lot of positives that can be pointed to, but unfortunately, the sting of another one 'that got away' still lingers to some extent.

If we can eliminate mistakes that have cost us two wins, I am very excited for the prospects of this team going forward.

Stingers have been known to hang around for some time after they occur.

Craig

 

[Future]

None of the teams mentioned are as good as their record imo. Washington and SF are both average at best. Detroit has a lot of talent but I don't think their defense is anywhere near excellent...and they were more or less handed the Cowboys game.

I agree that the Cowboys aren't in bad shape at 2-2, but it's still disappointing considering the fact that the best team they've played is Detroit, who is nowhere near elite.

 

[Picksix]

None of the teams mentioned are as good as their record imo. Washington and SF are both average at best. Detroit has a lot of talent but I don't think their defense is anywhere near excellent...and they were more or less handed the Cowboys game.

I agree that the Cowboys aren't in bad shape at 2-2, but it's still disappointing considering the fact that the best team they've played is Detroit, who is nowhere near elite.

I think you have to look at it in relative terms. Compared to the rest of the league, those teams may be superior, but overall I think this is a down year. Running games and defenses just aren't as good this year (on average) as they have been in the past. I think if you compare those teams to teams with similar records in recent seasons, they may not stack up.

But there's still 3/4 of the season left. Let's see how things shake out.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Thanks for the perspective, Reality. The Cowboys have gone toe to toe with every team they've faced, even dominating Detroit and NYJ at times during those games. The irony is we lost the games we played the best in and won the games when we really struggled. I'm optimistic. I just need that feeling of a win again. It seems like forever since that debacle last time the Cowboys played. I know NE will be tough, but I need the Cowboys to win in the worst way. If not, next week will be the longest week ever.

 

[Future]

I think you have to look at it in relative terms. Compared to the rest of the league, those teams may be superior, but overall I think this is a down year. Running games and defenses just aren't as good this year (on average) as they have been in the past. I think if you compare those teams to teams with similar records in recent seasons, they may not stack up.

But there's still 3/4 of the season left. Let's see how things shake out.

I thought I was thinking relatively...relatively speaking, they aren't that good :laugh2:

Guess it all depends on context

 

[Risen Star]

It's too early in the season for those records to mean anything.

The only quality team on that list is Detroit, IMO.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

The only problem is the entire picture isn’t complete yet. I think once the season is over, the final records will show you just how tough the schedule actually was. Two years ago we lost to the 6-0 Broncos and you heard “hey they are a good team” yet after the dust settled they didn’t even make the playoffs.

 

[Zman5]

All these records really don't mean anything until Novemeber. I've seen the Deadskins start hot several times past 10 years and end up with 8-8 record or worse and miss the playoffs.

 

[Staggerlee]

Stingers have been known to hang around for some time after they occur.

Craig

Ask Mike Jenkins.

 

[Reality]

All these records really don't mean anything until Novemeber. I've seen the Deadskins start hot several times past 10 years and end up with 8-8 record or worse and miss the playoffs.

They may not mean much come season's end but since Dallas has played them during their 11-0 stretch, I think it kinda matters in this case.

#reality

 

[28 Joker]

Even if this N.E. game doesn't go Dallas' way (I think Dallas has a great shot to win the game if they follow my 7 steps to victory), I think the Cowboys have a real opportunity to pull a San Diego and start a long winning streak and win the division and perhaps get a bye. For Dallas, the division is there for the taking.

I think Washington is for real, and that win was huge for Dallas. I think Washington is the best team that Dallas has played so far. Also, remember Cooley's comments about Romo. Look for a determined, tenacious, healthy Dallas team to beat the Commanders twice. The Cowboys have the psychological edge in the series with the Commanders, because the Cowboys have won 5 of the last 6 meetings. Philadelphia is a bad, sloppy team, and I expect Washington to beat them at home. The Eagles have major problems that they are not going to be able to fix this year.

If you can't stop the run in the NFC East, you will not win inside this division. The Eagles and Giants can't stop the run. What will the Giants look like in December? Right now, they don't look so hot to me. They can't run it or stop the run right now. They have been a thorn in Dallas' side for sure.

You can make an argument that Washington and S.F. are both better than Detroit. I'm still not sold on Detroit in the long-run and being up by 24 and losing so unnecessarily sloppy really stings. Although, that was the game that concerned me the most.

If the Cowboys beat N.E., the sting of the Lions game heals some. Although, Dallas could go 14-2, and I'd still be upset with that one . The Packers are going to win that division and probably beat the Lions twice. Therefore, the Lions will be a wildcard team if they get in. However, if Dallas beats N.E., I don't see any other team in the NFC East that has the firepower to pull that trick. This could be a big discriminating game for Dallas. As long as Dallas wins their division, the Lions have no tie breaker on them.

N.E. and Buffalo are the two best teams on Dallas' schedule, for this quarter. The Eagles are a mess, and they could be set up for a kill shot by the Cowboys on a Sunday night. Revenge will be on Dallas' side. Remember 2009 (after 44-6)...

 

[Galian Beast]

I think the talent we have on our team is a double edged sword.

When the talent is concentrated on two or three guys on your team, then they appear to be all stars.

Usually teams have an identity. They an offensive team or defensive team. They're a running team or a passing team.

Not many teams get the label of top offense and top defense, but we have the ability to do that here. Unfortunately it's very difficult to wake people up to this reality, since you simply don't see it often. I think Green Bay was able to do it last year, but their defense has taken a huge step back this year.

I think what Dez and Miles do on Sunday will go a long way towards putting this team on the map.

As much as I want that statement game to put us on the map, I think that is what got us into trouble against the Lions. We thought it was going to be a cakewalk in the second half, thought we could just man handle them without even trying.

I just want to beat the pats. Even if its by 1 point.

That being said, I don't know how a team with the worst defense in the nfl is going to be so heavily favored.

Even if the Defense just slows them down, I can see Romo and the boys putting up 30+ points on this defense.

 

[UVAwahoos]

Detroit will fizzle out pretty quickly here. They seem quite similar to that 6-0 denver team that nosedived a couple years back. They're def. not winning that division. We'll see who gets those two wildcard spots...

 

[CCBoy]

Good points, on record of opponents for the Cowboys. That still mounts up even if nothing more than common opponents in the division. So it's benefits doesn't really diminish going forward.

I'm an optimist, and look for how close to the mark instead of inventing a drama filled it was nearly this far off. The team could easily have won those two games lost...and if not a 4th quarter squeek in both games, would have done just that. What does a missed field goal and blocked kick mean today to this team? How about the likelihood that there are three interceptions in the second half of a game that demolishes a 24 point lead in less than a half?

For Dallas and the teams with strong records, both...you are what you are. That has to be changed to be better or worse. That involves a struggle, both for Dallas and who it is playing those teams as well. Dallas has yet another shot at Washington.

Myself, I'm for getting some revenge...and I do mean some deserved revenge upon New England. This team is way overdue at settling some scores at important times. No better way here, than in New England's home court!

 

[Shinywalrus]

I know that this is one way that ColdHardFootballFacts.com looks at evaluating records ("Quality Wins" etc.), and it certainly makes a lot of sense. It's certainly more indicative of the quality of a team's play than raw records. At the end of the day, though, we don't get credit for strength of schedule (well, except for a really wacky tie scenario), so I still worry that we may end up having played playoff quality football without actually making the playoffs.

 

[Clove]

For me, I usually look at how many games we've lost, and as long as that number is conducive to making the play offs, we're still in good shape.

Now, for what I've seen so far, we have the tools to go on a 5 or 6 game winning streak, and to think of it, if you can't put together a string of about 5 or 6 games, no matter who they are, you are not ready for the playoffs leading up to the super bowl. You'll have to win at minimum 3 games against the BEST OF THE BEST.

 

[TNCowboy]

"You are what your record says you are." - Bill Parcells

 

[Shinywalrus]

"You are what your record says you are." - Bill Parcells

I get the comment as a coaching technique - you don't want players to ever think that they can get away with excuses. But in real terms, does anyone actually think this is true in a 16 game season? I can't imagine that they do, but I'm really curious. Do folks believe this is a good motivational ploy for players or that it is actually accurate as a maxim?