The remaining 7 games, ranked by importance

[jterrell]

the next game is always the most important.
it isn't just cliche it is reality.

we get to 11-3 with a big divisional lead then the last couple games will mean a heck of a lot less. --we've already lost to Zona for the top seed if that was the only question left.

just win games and it will all take care of itself.

 

[Idgit]

i hear what you're saying, but quite honestly if we can't beat 1-8 Jacksonville with Weeden at the helm, then I think there is a much much more alarming and deep-seated issue with this team

now, by no means am I suggesting to stubbornly play Weeden in order to find this out which is way I suggested "bullpenning" Romo becasue I also believe getting the W is of the utmost importance

Honestly, I'm not sure we can beat Jacksonville without Tony Romo. I think that game's a tossup.

Even games against bad teams in this league hinge on a handful of plays. Even with Tony, I think JAX has a shot in this game, and if we win, I'm not expecting a blowout. I kind of like what JAX is doing, and if they had better protection for some of their young weapons to develop, their arrow is at least pointing up.
You get into real trouble the minute you start 'resting' players. It's not just the hit you take at QB. Every other player on the roster subconsciously eases up when you send the message that your staff thinks you can beat a team without all of your players.

 

[jazzcat22]

The next game is the most important game.
Ranking the games, I'm ok with that. That's what we are here for.

But this next game is extremely important. Get off the 2 game losing streak. Right the sails to the correct destination. Stay right there with Philly.
We win, hopefully Panthers get themselves together, and beat the Eagles on Monday night.
Giants at Seahawks, Washington has a bye.

Next week, we get a much needed bye at the right time. Philly @ GB, SF @ NY, TB @ Washington

This is a big weekend coming up IMO. After the bye, we may be tied with Philly, unless Panthers can win, Giants may have 2 more losses, Washington probably has a win.
So really next 2 weeks are big to shape the NFCE.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

I think the Jaguars game is much more important. Momentum and team confidence are at stake.

This team could completely fall apart if we lose to Jacksonville. If we are a playoff team then we need to win Sunday.

 

[HeavyBarrel]

Thank you.
It's disturbing to me when you've lost 2 home games in a row and you're looking past the next game

Who's looking past the next game?

 

[Red Dragon]

Thank you.
It's disturbing to me when you've lost 2 home games in a row and you're looking past the next game

For the umpteenth time, we're fans. We're not coaches or players. We can look as far ahead as we want. Our posts and threads on Cowboys Zone have no effect on what happens in football games.

I am tired of the thought police trying to tell us what we can and cannot discuss.

 

[Red Dragon]

I think the Jaguars game is much more important. Momentum and team confidence are at stake.

More important than what? The Eagles, Giants, Commanders, Colts or Bears games?

Momentum and team confidence will be at stake in those games, too.

 

[gimmesix]

Ranked by importance:

No. 1 and 2. Cowboys vs. Eagles (either meeting). The importance of these two games against Philadelphia this year cannot be overstated. They will most likely determine the NFC East champion; possibly even make or break the season for both teams entirely. Dallas and Philly both face absolutely brutal remaining schedules. If the Cowboys get swept by the Eagles, it could ultimately keep them out of the playoffs (including a wild-card berth) when all is said and done; same for the Eagles vice versa. A win against the Eagles may be worth two wins against other opponents; it's that important.
At stake: Head-to-head tiebreaker, win-loss standings.



No. 3. Cowboys at Commanders. This game is slightly more important than the Giants game because of head-to-head tiebreakers; Dallas is 1-0 against New York but 0-1 against Washington. That being said, 3-6 Washington is unlikely to catch up with 6-3 Dallas. The Cowboys also need a win against the Commanders to improve their division record; Dallas is 1-1 against the NFC East while Philadelphia is 2-0.
At stake: Division-record tiebreaker (vs. Philly's), win-loss standings.



No. 4. Cowboys at Giants. The 3-5 Giants are unlikely to catch up with 6-3 Dallas, and the Cowboys have already beaten them once, but defeating the hated Giants again would probably seal New York's fate this season. It would push Dallas up a game, the Giants down a game, and hand the head-to-head tiebreaker to Dallas for good. The Cowboys also need a win against the Giants to improve their division record - again, Dallas is 1-1 against the NFC East while Philadelphia is 2-0.
At stake: Division-record tiebreaker (vs. Philly's), win-loss standings.




No. 5. Cowboys at Bears. This is the least important NFC game on the remaining schedule. The Bears are mainly important in common-opponent and conference record tiebreaking.
At stake: Common-opponent-record tiebreaker, conference record tiebreaker, win-loss standings.



No. 6. Cowboys vs. Colts. This is the second-least important game on the remaining schedule. The Colts are an AFC team, albeit a strong one, and are only important in common-opponent and strength-of-victory tiebreaking - plus, of course, a win is a win.
At stake: Common-opponent-record tiebreaker, strength-of-victory tiebreaker, win-loss standings.



No. 7. Cowboys at Jaguars. This is the least important game on the remaining schedule. The Jaguars are an AFC team, a very weak one, and are only important in common-opponent tiebreaking - and, as usual, a win is a win.
At stake: Common-opponent-record tiebreaker, win-loss standings.

If we don't win Sunday, then win four of the next six and miss the playoffs at 10-6, I think this game will prove to have been important since it is one we definitely should win.

I always think of the coming game as important until it isn't any more. For instance, winning against the Jags puts us in better position to be able to lose future games and still make the playoffs, but if we lose, it doesn't take us out of the playoff race.

I understand what you've done here and am not trying to diminish it, but I just think we all have a tendency to get ahead of ourselves. If these past two games are the start of a long losing streak, then order of importance for playoff implications doesn't really matter.

Do everything possible to end the losing streak now and let the importance work itself out.

 

[anava]

More important than what? The Eagles, Giants, Commanders, Colts or Bears games?

Momentum and team confidence will be at stake in those games, too.

I agree going in the bye on a 3 game losing streak could be huge. With the Randle incident and Carter starting to chirp about playing time locker room is starting to shake but a win could cure a lot.

 

[Doomsday101]

the next game is always the most important.
it isn't just cliche it is reality.

we get to 11-3 with a big divisional lead then the last couple games will mean a heck of a lot less. --we've already lost to Zona for the top seed if that was the only question left.

just win games and it will all take care of itself.

I agree, Cowboys just dropped back to back games this is not a game the Cowboys should or can afford to take lightly. I don't care who they are playing. Dallas needs to go out and win this game get to 7-3 and then get into their bye. Fans can afford to dismiss a game, players and this team can't.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Jax is ranked 31st in total Defense. They are 28th against the rush, 30th against the Pass and 31st in points allowed. This is not Arizona and we should be able to effectively run the ball on 1st and 2nd. This is going to make the game much easier for Weeden. No reason we can not win this game with Weeden if we play to our strengths. If they load the box, we should be able to play pitch and catch with our WRs against their secondary. Their entire starting secondary are all 2nd year guys. Their Offense is not a juggernaut. They are last in the League in Points Scored Per Game at 15.7.

The one thing they can do is rush the passer. They are 3rd in the League in Sacks. Do we want to put Tony in to win a game we really can win with Weeden and subject him to a team that does one thing well, which is sack the QB?

We can beat this team with Weeden. We simply need to do what we do best, which is run the Football. Control the clock and make it easy on 3rd down for Weeden. We averaged 4.2 yards a carry vs a stacked box and the best run defense in the NFL last week. Stop putting Weeden in Third and Long and just do what we do. Take care of the ball, no stupid turnovers, tackle the football and we can win.

Beat this team, get back home and make ready for the stretch run with Tony as our QB.

This is what we need to do if we want to have a chance to win the division and make the playoffs.

 

[anava]

Jax is ranked 31st in total Defense. They are 28th against the rush, 30th against the Pass and 31st in points allowed. This is not Arizona and we should be able to effectively run the ball on 1st and 2nd. This is going to make the game much easier for Weeden. No reason we can not win this game with Weeden if we play to our strengths. If they load the box, we should be able to play pitch and catch with our WRs against their secondary. Their entire starting secondary are all 2nd year guys. Their Offense is not a juggernaut. They are last in the League in Points Scored Per Game at 15.7.

The one thing they can do is rush the passer. They are 3rd in the League in Sacks. Do we want to put Tony in to win a game we really can win with Weeden and subject him to a team that does one thing well, which is sack the QB?

We can beat this team with Weeden. We simply need to do what we do best, which is run the Football. Control the clock and make it easy on 3rd down for Weeden. We averaged 4.2 yards a carry vs a stacked box and the best run defense in the NFL last week. Stop putting Weeden in Third and Long and just do what we do. Take care of the ball, no ******** turnovers, tackle the football and we can win.

Beat this team, get back home and make ready for the stretch run with Tony as our QB.

This is what we need to do if we want to have a chance to win the division and make the playoffs.

Last week there were several plays that should be pitch and catch. But Weeden locks on to receivers and only sees half the field. Jax maybe bad against the rush but bet money they will stack the box and put pressure on Weeden to win this game and he has only done that 5 times in his fourth year in the NFL

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Last week there were several plays that should be pitch and catch. But Weeden locks on to receivers and only sees half the field. Jax maybe bad against the rush but bet money they will stack the box and put pressure on Weeden to win this game and he has only done that 5 times in his fourth year in the NFL

I hope they do stack the box. Weeden has confidence against this team. He has played them before. He probably knows them better then Tony does. The last time we played Jax was in 2006 I believe. I don't even know if there is still anybody on that roster from the last time we played.

 

[anava]

I hope they do stack the box. Weeden has confidence against this team. He has played them before. He probably knows them better then Tony does. The last time we played Jax was in 2006 I believe. I don't even know if there is still anybody on that roster from the last time we played.

I like your confidence but after last week I have zero confidence in him. Hasn't showed anything his whole career and was awful last week. Some people put it on coaching but they put him in position to win and he failed miserably. Can't say lack of prep because he has been practicing with the starters all season with Romo taking Wednesdays off.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I like your confidence but after last week I have zero confidence in him. Hasn't showed anything his whole career and was awful last week. Some people put it on coaching but they put him in position to win and he failed miserably. Can't say lack of prep because he has been practicing with the starters all season with Romo taking Wednesdays off.

This is not true. He played pretty well against Washington. We can beat Jax with Weeden IMO. We just need to take the game out of his hands and put it into the hands of Murray and the OL.

 

[ufcrules1]

Wouldn't it be crazy if this once 6-1 team completely misses the playoffs? I really hope that doesn't happen. I don't think we have a great team or anything but I would love to just see them play in the playoffs and see what happens.

 

[anava]

This is not true. He played pretty well against Washington. We can beat Jax with Weeden IMO. We just need to take the game out of his hands and put it into the hands of Murray and the OL.

I agree he did do well against Washington and I wanted him to finish that game. But you see that all the time backups come in and do well when the starter gets injured just to suck the following week when the other team actually prepares for him. Case in point hope that happens to Sanchez this week. We can go back in forth on this all day but if he starts we will find out what happens on Sunday. I hope you win the argument in the end!

 

[Bowdown27]

I think that colt game is big. Late in the year against a very good team. If we can beat them at home that late that's big.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I agree he did do well against Washington and I wanted him to finish that game. But you see that all the time backups come in and do well when the starter gets injured just to suck the following week when the other team actually prepares for him. Case in point hope that happens to Sanchez this week. We can go back in forth on this all day but if he starts we will find out what happens on Sunday. I hope you win the argument in the end!

Fair enough.

 

[Crown Royal]

I think this game is important not for the statistical calculations in the playoffs, but for the mental wellbeing of the team. Let's go into the bye with a losing streak snapped and a bit of confidence back in the abilities of the team.