CFZ The NFC is there for the taking

[Bobhaze]

When scanning the NFC to assess which teams are most likely to duke it out for the NFC championship, there are essentially 4 teams in two tiers that should be considered “realistic“ contenders. I’m basing it on current standing and what the team has done over the last year and a half. Things can and will change though because we have 8 games left in this season.

TIER ONE (2 teams). These are clearly the best teams based on last year and this year so far.

• eagles- 8-1 record; have gone 22-4 in last 26 regular season games (Last yr and this yr combined)
• 49ers- 6-3 record; have beaten us 3 straight times since ‘21 and have gone 19-7 in last 26 regular season games.

TIER TWO (2 teams) These teams are clearly good but need to be more consistent.

• Cowboys- 6-3 record; are 18-8 in last 26 reg season games; have shown moments of dominance and also moments where they shrink against niners and eagles.
• lions- 7-2 record currently; are 16-10 in last 26 regular season games; lack consistency and haven’t been in the playoffs since 2014.

BOTTOM LINE:
The NFC is there for the taking most likely with one of these 4 teams. Which is one reason I was disappointed that our FO did not shore up this roster with a trade like most contenders did by the deadline. Didn’t have to be a “splash” trade. Even a depth enhancer would have been nice. Oh well.

WHAT THE COWBOYS MUST SHOW TO BE A REAL CONTENDER:

• Show some consistency. Teams that win in the playoffs are the ones who are consistent and reliable. “Consistency is the habit of winners” as the old saying goes.
• Must win against the tougher teams on our schedule. This team needs some confidence that it can win against the better teams. We have killed lesser opponents (except cards) but stumbled against the niners and eagles.
• Show some improvement in the OL’s performance. Teams that win multiple playoff games have strong play in the trenches. Our OL has been very inconsistent. Run game needs to return.
• Must show they are mentally/physically tough. Many fans here hate to admit it but the Cowboys have been soft, especially mentally for far too long. The Cowboys must show they are tough enough to win when the stakes are high. Teams that win playoff games are very tough.
• Must stop the stupid penalties. The Cowboys lead the league in penalties and worse, lead the league in pre-snap penalties. A lack of attention to detail and focus will get you beat against the better teams in the playoffs. The lining up off sides, the delay of game, false starts and getting into fights with opponents are the habits of teams that lose playoff games.
• Get hot at the right time. Teams that go on deep playoff runs usually go into the playoffs playing their best football. When was the last time we could say that about the Cowboys?

Again, the NFC is there for the taking. Can this team do what it takes?

 

[Miller]

Agree with this completely! One thing that gives me hope is we used to, even in good seasons, play down to many teams. We had the Cards hiccup. BUT I don’t think that happens much anymore. We have really dominated teams we should beat and the next 3 should be the same. December will be telling! If Dak and the team rolls there I will have confidence against the top teams.

 

[Redsfan_83]

100% agree except with it's there for the taking as things stand. When healthy, the 9ers are scary and added to this by adding another staple at the other end of the line. I agree with you 10000% that we missed out adding an important piece at the trade deadline, while the 9ers did just that. If they stay healthy, I just don't see anybody beating them

 

[Tangle_Foot]

I think the key to everything is the ground game. Dak's playing well, we're getting more people involved in the offense, and the defense is more than capable. I really believe that we can take it if we get the ground game on track.

Go Cowboys

 

[Sydla]

When scanning the NFC to assess which teams are most likely to duke it out for the NFC championship, there are essentially 4 teams in two tiers that should be considered “realistic“ contenders. I’m basing it on current standing and what the team has done over the last year and a half. Things can and will change though because we have 8 games left in this season.

TIER ONE (2 teams). These are clearly the best teams based on last year and this year so far.

• eagles- 8-1 record; have gone 22-4 in last 26 regular season games (Last yr and this yr combined)
• 49ers- 6-3 record; have beaten us 3 straight times since ‘21 and have gone 19-7 in last 26 regular season games.

TIER TWO (2 teams) These teams are clearly good but need to be more consistent.

• Cowboys- 6-3 record; are 18-8 in last 26 reg season games; have shown moments of dominance and also moments where they shrink against niners and eagles.
• lions- 7-2 record currently; are 16-10 in last 26 regular season games; lack consistency and haven’t been in the playoffs since 2014.

BOTTOM LINE:
The NFC is there for the taking most likely with one of these 4 teams. Which is one reason I was disappointed that our FO did not shore up this roster with a trade like most contenders did by the deadline. Didn’t have to be a “splash” trade. Even a depth enhancer would have been nice. Oh well.

WHAT THE COWBOYS MUST SHOW TO BE A REAL CONTENDER:

• Show some consistency. Teams that win in the playoffs are the ones who are consistent and reliable. “Consistency is the habit of winners” as the old saying goes.
• Must win against the tougher teams on our schedule. This team needs some confidence that it can win against the better teams. We have killed lesser opponents (except cards) but stumbled against the niners and eagles.
• Show some improvement in the OL’s performance. Teams that win multiple playoff games have strong play in the trenches. Our OL has been very inconsistent. Run game needs to return.
• Must show they are mentally/physically tough. Many fans here hate to admit it but the Cowboys have been soft, especially mentally for far too long. The Cowboys must show they are tough enough to win when the stakes are high. Teams that win playoff games are very tough.
• Must stop the stupid penalties. The Cowboys lead the league in penalties and worse, lead the league in pre-snap penalties. A lack of attention to detail and focus will get you beat against the better teams in the playoffs. The lining up off sides, the delay of game, false starts and getting into fights with opponents are the habits of teams that lose playoff games.
• Get hot at the right time. Teams that go on deep playoff runs usually go into the playoffs playing their best football. When was the last time we could say that about the Cowboys?

Again, the NFC is there for the taking. Can this team do what it takes?

Problem is this team is likely going to have to do this on the road. Now on the road in Detroit? Not that big a deal but road games at San Fran or Philly in January loom large. That Arizona loss is going to haunt them and the reality is even if they were to go 9-0 over the remainder of the season, the Eagles likely would still win the division due to tiebreakers (unless the Eagles did the unthinkable and lost to a woeful Giants team). And what are the odds we go undefeated anyway?

 

[nightrain]

The problem is, it has been there for the taking all season, but the Cowboys didn't seize the moment when they had their opportunity.

They can't afford any more let downs.

 

[jazzcat22]

Philly can drop 2 or 3 games over the next 5 weeks. They're next 5 games. at KC, Buffalo, SF, at Dallas, at Seattle. Heck they could lose 4 games, as Buffalo does not seem as tough as they did to start the season. Philly's last 3 games are layups.
Dallas needs to win and take advantage if Philly does drop a few, as we must beat them at home.

SF has 3 games that could go either way, the rest they should be favored to win. Seattle, Philly and Baltimore. They need to lose 2 of those games.

Detroit has pretty much an easy path. So we must win that game against them, at least it is at home. They also have Minnesota twice.

Seattle, I won't rule them out, they are hanging in there. So we must win that game as well. They have Sf twice and Philly as the tough games left.

Dallas, pretty much can't afford to lose another game, or if they do, only one. And if that happens, it needs to be against Buffalo or Miami. No more NFC losses.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I'd add Stay healthy...

This team is about the healthiest it's going to be and the healthier teams make the deeper runs

 

[ShortRound]

Let's hope the Eagles stumble, next 3 weeks before our 2nd meeting is where it gets interesting.

 

[Sydla]

Philly can drop 2 or 3 games over the next 5 weeks. They're next 5 games. at KC, Buffalo, SF, at Dallas, at Seattle. Heck they could lose 4 games, as Buffalo does not seem as tough as they did to start the season. Philly's last 3 games are layups.
Dallas needs to win and take advantage if Philly does drop a few, as we must beat them at home.

SF has 3 games that could go either way, the rest they should be favored to win. Seattle, Philly and Baltimore. They need to lose 2 of those games.

Detroit has pretty much an easy path. So we must win that game against them, at least it is at home. They also have Minnesota twice.

Seattle, I won't rule them out, they are hanging in there. So we must win that game as well. They have Sf twice and Philly as the tough games left.

Dallas, pretty much can't afford to lose another game, or if they do, only one. And if that happens, it needs to be against Buffalo or Miami. No more NFC losses.

Unless the Eagles lose to the Giants, the Cowboys will likely have to finish one game clear of them in the standings. Because as you work through the tiebreakers, even if Dallas splits with Philly, many of the tiebreakers will fall Philly's way (that AZ debacle is going to be costly if this thing is tight in December)

 

[Bobhaze]

Let's hope the Eagles stumble, next 3 weeks before our 2nd meeting is where it gets interesting.

If we can go into that game either tied or one game behind, we have a great chance to still win the division. As good as the eagles have been, I still don’t think their D - especially their secondary - is as good as last year. We will need to get better too but the opportunity to win the division is still there.

 

[jazzcat22]

Arizona with Murray back can play spoiler for us against SF & Philly. Arizona plays fairly tough games for the most prt. They are better than many think.
SF is a home game for them, and play at Philly.
you heard it here first,

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

We need to understand that Dallas is going to lose 2-3 more games, even if they are playing well. The #1 seed is almost entirely out of play, and even winning the division is near impossible.

5 straight games against playoff teams after Washington. Dallas should be playing for the 5 seed.

 

[Bobhaze]

The problem is, it has been there for the taking all season, but the Cowboys didn't seize the moment when they had their opportunity.

They can't afford any more let downs.

Right. At some point this team needs to put together a string of impressive performances without the stupid penalties and beat a team they might be an underdog to.

Last year this team won its first road playoff game in 30 years. Unless you’re the #1 seed, being able to win playoff games on the road is essential. That is where the mental toughness comes in. Can you play your best football on the road in a hostile environment against an equal or even better opponent?

That’s what we’ve lacked for nearly 3 decades now. Can we change that? The answer to that question will determine this team’s playoff fate more than likely.

 

[jazzcat22]

Unless the Eagles lose to the Giants, the Cowboys will likely have to finish one game clear of them in the standings. Because as you work through the tiebreakers, even if Dallas splits with Philly, many of the tiebreakers will fall Philly's way (that AZ debacle is going to be costly if this thing is tight in December)

Right. We need to win all our NFC games. However we need to beat Miami, as Philly best them already, So that Buffalo game is a common game as well.
Tie breakers are in favor of Philly way too much right now. They are 6-0 in the NFC so far, we are 3-3.
So yeah we will most likely need to finish 1 game better. Or as you mentioned, drop a game to NYG.

Philly pretty much need to lose to SF, Seattle, and us. And drop another in an upset loss.

 

[rambo2]

When scanning the NFC to assess which teams are most likely to duke it out for the NFC championship, there are essentially 4 teams in two tiers that should be considered “realistic“ contenders. I’m basing it on current standing and what the team has done over the last year and a half. Things can and will change though because we have 8 games left in this season.

TIER ONE (2 teams). These are clearly the best teams based on last year and this year so far.

• eagles- 8-1 record; have gone 22-4 in last 26 regular season games (Last yr and this yr combined)
• 49ers- 6-3 record; have beaten us 3 straight times since ‘21 and have gone 19-7 in last 26 regular season games.

TIER TWO (2 teams) These teams are clearly good but need to be more consistent.

• Cowboys- 6-3 record; are 18-8 in last 26 reg season games; have shown moments of dominance and also moments where they shrink against niners and eagles.
• lions- 7-2 record currently; are 16-10 in last 26 regular season games; lack consistency and haven’t been in the playoffs since 2014.

BOTTOM LINE:
The NFC is there for the taking most likely with one of these 4 teams. Which is one reason I was disappointed that our FO did not shore up this roster with a trade like most contenders did by the deadline. Didn’t have to be a “splash” trade. Even a depth enhancer would have been nice. Oh well.

WHAT THE COWBOYS MUST SHOW TO BE A REAL CONTENDER:

• Show some consistency. Teams that win in the playoffs are the ones who are consistent and reliable. “Consistency is the habit of winners” as the old saying goes.
• Must win against the tougher teams on our schedule. This team needs some confidence that it can win against the better teams. We have killed lesser opponents (except cards) but stumbled against the niners and eagles.
• Show some improvement in the OL’s performance. Teams that win multiple playoff games have strong play in the trenches. Our OL has been very inconsistent. Run game needs to return.
• Must show they are mentally/physically tough. Many fans here hate to admit it but the Cowboys have been soft, especially mentally for far too long. The Cowboys must show they are tough enough to win when the stakes are high. Teams that win playoff games are very tough.
• Must stop the stupid penalties. The Cowboys lead the league in penalties and worse, lead the league in pre-snap penalties. A lack of attention to detail and focus will get you beat against the better teams in the playoffs. The lining up off sides, the delay of game, false starts and getting into fights with opponents are the habits of teams that lose playoff games.
• Get hot at the right time. Teams that go on deep playoff runs usually go into the playoffs playing their best football. When was the last time we could say that about the Cowboys?

Again, the NFC is there for the taking. Can this team do what it takes?

Yes, this team has a chance and is a contender. They also did a good job in adding the new linebacker and adding the receiver for depth. They also showed that Brooks can play last week. Overall they built a good contending team and Dak is playing well. They look like they have a very good chance at the 5 spot and a chance to get the 1 or the 2 spot depending on what happens with the Eagles and the Lions.

 

[Bobhaze]

I probably should’ve have included the Seahawks as a tier 2 contender. They are on the edge of being good.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I probably should’ve have included the Seahawks as a tier 2 contender. They are on the edge of being good.

I'd agree they're in the mix, as well.

 

[links18]

As it was last year and the year before.

 

[atlantacowboy]

It’s going to come down to who goes into the playoffs healthy. SF with their offense healthy is a scary team who had no problem with us.