The difference between 5-2, 4-3

[USMarineVet]

2:00 PM Sat, Oct 31, 2009

Todd Archer/Reporter

With a win Sunday vs. Seattle the Cowboys will be 5-2 and at no worse than second place in the NFC East. With a loss they will be 4-3 and possible in third place in the division.
Since Jerry Jones took over in 1989, how do starts of 5-2 or better compare to starts of 4-3 or worse?


5-2
2007 - 6-1 - finished 13-3, won NFC East
2003 - 5-2 - finished 10-6, lost wild card
1995 - 6-1 - finished 12-4, won Super Bowl XXX
1994 - 6-1 - finished 12-4, lost NFC Championship Game
1993 - 5-2 - finished 12-4, won Super Bowl XXVIII
1992 - 6-1 - finished 13-3, won Super Bowl XXVII
1991 - 5-2 - finished 11-5, lost divisional round


4-3
2008 - 4-3 - finished 9-7, missed playoffs
2006 - 4-3 - finished 9-7, lost wild card
2005 - 4-3 - finished 9-7, missed playoffs
2004 - 3-4 - finished 6-10, missed playoffs
2002 - 3-4 - finished 5-11, missed playoffs
2001 - 2-5 - finished 5-11, missed playoffs
2000 - 3-4 - finished 5-11, missed playoffs
1999 - 4-3 - finished 8-8, lost wild card
1998 - 4-3 - finished 10-6, lost wild card
1997 - 4-3 - finished 6-10, missed playoffs
1996 - 4-3 - finished 10-6, lost divisional round
1990 - 3-4 - finished 7-9, missed playoffs
1989 - 0-7 - finished 1-15, missed playoffs


Every time the Cowboys have been 5-2 or better they have made the post-season since Jones has been the owner and GM. When they have been 4-3 or worse, they have made the playoffs four out of 13 times.

 

[theogt]

Just reinforces that notion that every game is a big game in the NFL.

 

[DallasEast]

Warning: You're opening a can of worms.

Good post. Like practically every team Dallas ever faces, Seattle's going to be up for this game. You can put their record and previous injuries aside this weekend. The final score may not end up reflecting it, but I expect a hard fought game early on.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Every time the Cowboys have been 5-2 or better they have made the post-season since Jones has been the owner and GM. When they have been 4-3 or worse, they have made the playoffs four out of 13 times.

Wow, mind-boggingly stupid use of statistics.

When the Cowboys have been exactly 4-3 (and they can't be worse than that this year), they've made the playoffs 4 out of 7 times. Still meaningless, but not as misleading as what Archer's trying to sell.

 

[speedkilz88]

Wow, mind-boggingly stupid use of statistics.

When the Cowboys have been exactly 4-3 (and they can't be worse than that this year), they've made the playoffs 4 out of 7 times. Still meaningless, but not as misleading as what Archer's trying to sell.

Great point. They are 3 for 3 when they finish 5-2 also.


5-2

2003 - 5-2 - finished 10-6, lost wild card

1993 - 5-2 - finished 12-4, won Super Bowl XXVIII

1991 - 5-2 - finished 11-5, lost divisional round


4-3
2008 - 4-3 - finished 9-7, missed playoffs
2006 - 4-3 - finished 9-7, lost wild card
2005 - 4-3 - finished 9-7, missed playoffs

1999 - 4-3 - finished 8-8, lost wild card
1998 - 4-3 - finished 10-6, lost wild card
1997 - 4-3 - finished 6-10, missed playoffs
1996 - 4-3 - finished 10-6, lost divisional round

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I'm so scared that we lose this game because of turnovers or bad play calls. No, I'm not predicting it. I just fear it. I hope we do well and I hope we can put them away by running the ball well against them. If we do that we wear down their defense and run the clock, forcing them into passing situations where they're likely not able to protect their QB for 4 quarters given the quality of their line.

 

[lspain1]

Some interesting statistics although perhaps not quite as revealing if only recent years were considered (that's because I don't think the nineties resembles today's NFL very much). With our recent string of poor December performance and the schedule maker's determination to make December tough on Dallas (it makes for great TV ratings), I'm not sure 5-2 means a lot although it is clearly better than, say, 2-5.

I think the Cowboys win this game so I'll be watching to see some consistent performance on both sides of the ball and not a lot of penalties and mistakes. We'll see.

 

[The Emperor]

I'm so scared that we lose this game because of turnovers or bad play calls. No, I'm not predicting it. I just fear it. I hope we do well and I hope we can put them away by running the ball well against them. If we do that we wear down their defense and run the clock, forcing them into passing situations where they're likely not able to protect their QB for 4 quarters given the quality of their line.

Thus saith the Emperor: this shall not happen.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I'll just put it this way. IF the Cowboys are what we think they can be, this is a WIN pure and simple. If we lose this game at home after playing so well last week, it would just show that this team doesn't have what it takes to be a consistent contender. That having been said, I think we play well and win by a couple of scores or better. The bottom line is we HAVE to win this game.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Thus saith the Emperor: this shall not happen.

Romo, make it so!


Wait, I'm alluding to the wrong sci-nerd favorite. But I was always a fan of The Next Generation anyway, so that puts me in the same boat as you.

In any case, I think running the effectively is key to this game, more so than others because if we bleed the clock they'll be forced to pass with their poor line and they won't be able to run the clock on us, which I suspect is a key to their game plan.

 

[DallasEast]

Romo, make it so!


Wait, I'm alluding to the wrong sci-nerd favorite. But I was always a fan of The Next Generation anyway, so that puts me in the same boat as you.

In any case, I think running the effectively is key to this game, more so than others because if we bleed the clock they'll be forced to pass with their poor line and they won't be able to run the clock on us, which I suspect is a key to their game plan.

I've always wondered if a Jedi could block a phaser beam? They probably could, but I betcha they would have a hell of a time deflecting a quantum torpedo blast!

~runs quickly back to nerd shack~

 

[Tom [Giants fan]]

I read it and thought, "one game".

 

[monkey]

I'll just put it this way. IF the Cowboys are what we think they can be, this is a WIN pure and simple. If we lose this game at home after playing so well last week, it would just show that this team doesn't have what it takes to be a consistent contender. That having been said, I think we play well and win by a couple of scores or better. The bottom line is we HAVE to win this game.

Totally agree.

 

[The Emperor]

I've always wondered if a Jedi could block a phaser beam? They probably could, but I betcha they would have a hell of a time deflecting a quantum torpedo blast!

~runs quickly back to nerd shack~

First off, who was CBz40? He seems like he was a real outstanding fellow by the way I see him memorialized around this site.

I think Jedi could deflect phaser beams easily. How's it any different than the blasters that the droids and clone troopers would use on them?

How would Jedi deal with the transporter though? Would they dare use the Force on it while in the middle of transport?

Also take into account how those starships would deal with the fighters of the Star Wars universe. It would be very interesting indeed. With all of the interlocking corporate directorships in the media, maybe someday, Star Trek and Star Wars will get to duke it out on the big screen and these questions can be answered.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Seattle will be ready... But this Dallas team seems to be focused.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Great point. They are 3 for 3 when they finish 5-2 also.


5-2

2003 - 5-2 - finished 10-6, lost wild card

1993 - 5-2 - finished 12-4, won Super Bowl XXVIII

1991 - 5-2 - finished 11-5, lost divisional round

Hate to be the Debbie Downer here, but the only reason we were 5-2 in 1992 was because of Emmit's holdout. The other two years of going 5-2 we did not advance far.

Just sayin...

 

[Clove]

We just need to keep winning baby. Just pay attention on every play, and never EVER lose focus, especially if you're winning the football game. We do that, and when the season ends, we'll be competing for the big trophy.

 

[Deep_South]

A team that is 5-2 only has to play one game over .500 the rest of the way to end up 10-6, which is usually good enough to get into the playoffs.

So, let's go 5-2 tomorrow because we have a tough December.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I'm so scared that we lose this game because of turnovers or bad play calls. No, I'm not predicting it. I just fear it. I hope we do well and I hope we can put them away by running the ball well against them. If we do that we wear down their defense and run the clock, forcing them into passing situations where they're likely not able to protect their QB for 4 quarters given the quality of their line.

how can you be scared of the game?

we are by far the better team, stop worrying