This loss is completely insignificant...

[Nav22]

If...

1) Atlanta or Tampa Bay lose tomorrow...

2) Philly wins tomorrow...

and

3) Atlanta and Tampa Bay both win next weekend. Atlanta hosts the 2-12 Rams, Tampa Bay hosts the 3-11 Raiders.


In this very plausible scenario, today's game is completely insignificant in the grand scheme of making the playoffs. A win wouldn't have helped us anymore than our loss did.

Why? Because since Atlanta and Tampa Bay will very likely win their week 17 games, we would've needed to clinch a spot this weekend in order for our week 17 trip to Philly to NOT be approached as a do-or-die game.


Allow me to clarify: I'm not saying losing last night didn't suck. Not only for the playoffs, but for the last game ever in Texas Stadium. Would've been real nice to go out with a W.

Would've been nice to control our own destiny. We don't control that anymore.

But we regain that "control our own destiny" status tomorrow afternoon if the Falcons or Bucs lose.

This thing's not over yet... Go Vikings, go Chargers!

 

[Ben Roflsberger]

i just really dont like relying on them having to lose tomorrow. i dont think tampa bay is that good but the chargers are god awful and minn and atlanta is a tossup. either way ill be watching

 

[RoadRunner]

It was the last game at Texas stadium. There were 100 legends from the past there. We controlled our own destiny.

This was one of the most significant losses in team history. It likely decided the fate of several coaches and players.

 

[AKATheRake]

"IF", his is the problem! Also, "IF" we get into the playoffs what is going to change this choking trend we so consistently exhibit? Our HC who has never won a playoff game as a HC or our unadjusting, inimaginitive first time, 2nd year OC? How about our uncontrolable, for our own coaches of course, and under utilized offensive talent that never seems to execute when we need it to most?

 

[AKATheRake]

It was the last game at Texas stadium. There were 100 legends from the past there. We controlled our own destiny.

This was one of the most significant losses in team history. It likely decided the fate of several coaches and players.

Exactly, we're not capable of winning in this environment and under these circumstances but we're supposed to go into Philly and win in much more negative and volatile circumstances?

The craziest part is Jerry is coming up with explanations for tonight's 4th quarter meltdown. A team with this lineup and horse turd season hype has no explanation for trashing on over 30 and almost 40 years of history. The fans stuck around because of the attachment and loyalty, but the poor people had no emotion from being shell shocked.

I haven't heard our fan base cheer "DEFENSE" like that in so many years but 2 different runs on 2 different series, using the same play to defend in a row, shoved it right down our throats with 2 TD's in as many plays. In as many series. A disgrace! No pride.

Jerry has some guts horse****ting us after the game for the coaches sake. Putrid and inexcusable. An outright disgrace! I'm livid......

 

[Nav22]

It was the last game at Texas stadium. There were 100 legends from the past there. We controlled our own destiny.

This was one of the most significant losses in team history.

The fact that it was the last game at Texas Stadium and your boyhood heroes were there is meaningless when it comes to the playoff race... and the playoff race is all I was referring to.

The loss is only significant (again, strictly in terms of the playoff race) if the Bucs and Falcons BOTH win tomorrow.

Bottom line: there is a better than 50% chance that we regain control of our own destiny tomorrow afternoon. The Vikings are 3 point favorites at home, and the Chargers are just 3.5 point underdogs in Tampa Bay.

 

[Rampage]

If...

1) Atlanta or Tampa Bay lose tomorrow...

2) Philly wins tomorrow...

and

3) Atlanta and Tampa Bay both win next weekend. Atlanta hosts the 2-12 Rams, Tampa Bay hosts the 3-11 Raiders.


In this very plausible scenario, today's game is completely insignificant in the grand scheme of making the playoffs. A win wouldn't have helped us anymore than our loss did.

Why? Because since Atlanta and Tampa Bay will very likely win their week 17 games, we would've needed to clinch a spot this weekend in order for our week 17 trip to Philly to NOT be approached as a do-or-die game.


Allow me to clarify: I'm not saying losing last night didn't suck. Not only for the playoffs, but for the last game ever in Texas Stadium. Would've been real nice to go out with a W.

Would've been nice to control our own destiny. We don't control that anymore.

But we regain that "control our own destiny" status tomorrow afternoon if the Falcons or Bucs lose.

This thing's not over yet... Go Vikings, go Chargers!

why do we want philly to win?

 

[gazjor1]

It doesnt matter if Philly win cos if we beat them we go back above them in the hunt - its Atlanta we have to focus on losing against the Vikes

 

[Rampage]

It doesnt matter if Philly win cos if we beat them we go back above them in the hunt - its Atlanta we have to focus on losing against the Vikes

bucs could lose too. I think they play the chargers.

 

[Nav22]

why do we want philly to win?

It doesn't matter to us what Philly does tomorrow. No matter what they do tomorrow, next week's game will determine who finishes with the better record (and possibly, the playoff spot).

But if...

We had won last night, and if Philly loses today, then Philly would not be able to surpass us and they'd likely be playing for pride in week 17.

That's why I added them winning into my "equation" above... a win by Philly tomorrow would've kept them very much alive even if Dallas won last night.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

We could have potentially locked up a spot last night, but more than likely, we weren't going to lock one up until we beat Philly next week. Nothing has really changed other than our expectations of how well our team will do if we do make it in.

 

[Dallas22]

Leave it up to the Cowboys to put themselves in this position. It felt good to beat the Giants, a game that we HAD to have, but we all knew as Cowboys fans that they just don't have what it takes to be "that team" in the playoffs (or even to be able to make the playoffs).

This final game in Texas Stadium was disgraceful and pride-less by an underacheiving Dallas Cowboys team that will be lucky if we sneek into the playoffs... this is the way I thought it would've went down.

Funny thing is that when the Cowboys are EXPECTED to win, they lose... when they shouldn't win they play much better (especially on the road) and win some tough games. I think that the Cowboys are in BETTER shape to make the Playoffs IF, of course, Atlanta OR Tampa Bay lose today... hopefully one will falter and if so then we still control our own destiny. We'd have to beat the esGALS in Phily, a tough task, but again when the Cowboys backs are against the wall, on the road, they seem to play better & up to the competition.

If Atlanta & TB win today I'd call it a season because they have easy games next weekend... if 1 loses today then great we have the inside track to the playoffs by controling our own destiny by having to beat the eaGALS next Sunday... of course, this says nothing to what will happen IF we get into the playoffs because the season probably ends for us on Wild Card weekend for this latest group of 2008 Cowboys... plain & simple - this season is a shame, a disaster & an embaressment with all the talent on here & going by what we did last season. Injuries or not, GOOD teams can overcome them and do what is needed to WIN... that is not us this season.

Still, I'm watching on Sunday rooting for first the Chargers at 1pm EST, and next the Vikings at 4pm EST... F the eaGALS... GO COWBOYS!!!

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

THIS team should not just get into playoffs.


I want the Philly game to determine whether they get in.

Until they show us they can play and win these BIG games... I dont want to get in any other way.


Make the Philly game be the "Win and your in" game. Otherwise... wait til next season.

 

[Dallas22]

THIS team should not just get into playoffs.


I want the Philly game to determine whether they get in.

Until they show us they can play and win these BIG games... I dont want to get in any other way.


Make the Philly game be the "Win and your in" game. Otherwise... wait til next season.

Still have to have TB OR ATL lose today... then we have THAT BIG GAME and control our own destiny. If TB & ATL both win today, the season is pretty much over

 

[bysbox1]

This game was significant. No matter how you spin it (and hearing Jerry spin it last night made me sick) this team has a some of glaring problems:

An Offense that is now broken.
A Defense that does not have the mental stamina to stop teams when they need to.
A QB who deos not have the confidence to win the clutch games.
Special teams that have continually broken down all year.
A team that keeps getting bailed out and believing that they are actually better than they are.

Plus with the way this team is playing, why go to the playoffs only to get blown out in the first game again?


The best thing that can happen to us is if we get knocked out of the playoffs. No more false hope. It forces Jerry and the team to see the reality of the situation and fix it. I thought the Giants loss last year did it, but it did not. So let them stay at home, watch the playoffs TV, and get mad. Then maybe things will change.

 

[willia451]

Exactly, we're not capable of winning in this environment and under these circumstances but we're supposed to go into Philly and win in much more negative and volatile circumstances?

The craziest part is Jerry is coming up with explanations for tonight's 4th quarter meltdown. A team with this lineup and horse turd season hype has no explanation for trashing on over 30 and almost 40 years of history. The fans stuck around because of the attachment and loyalty, but the poor people had no emotion from being shell shocked.

I haven't heard our fan base cheer "DEFENSE" like that in so many years but 2 different runs on 2 different series, using the same play to defend in a row, shoved it right down our throats with 2 TD's in as many plays. In as many series. A disgrace! No pride.

Jerry has some guts horse****ting us after the game for the coaches sake. Putrid and inexcusable. An outright disgrace! I'm livid......

I'm forced to agree with your assessment.

Go Cowboys!!!

 

[Sarge]

The best thing that can happen to us is if we get knocked out of the playoffs. No more false hope.

Wow............

 

[Kaika]

THIS team should not just get into playoffs.


I want the Philly game to determine whether they get in.

Until they show us they can play and win these BIG games... I dont want to get in any other way.


Make the Philly game be the "Win and your in" game. Otherwise... wait til next season.

I agree whole heartedly!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't want to see us back into the playoffs.

Making the playoffs because someone else loses and we can't win is anti climatic and is just prolonging the inevitable.

 

[willia451]

This game was significant. No matter how you spin it (and hearing Jerry spin it last night made me sick) this team has a some of glaring problems:

An Offense that is now broken.
A Defense that does not have the mental stamina to stop teams when they need to.
A QB who deos not have the confidence to win the clutch games.
Special teams that have continually broken down all year.
A team that keeps getting bailed out and believing that they are actually better than they are.

Plus with the way this team is playing, why go to the playoffs only to get blown out in the first game again?


The best thing that can happen to us is if we get knocked out of the playoffs. No more false hope. It forces Jerry and the team to see the reality of the situation and fix it. I thought the Giants loss last year did it, but it did not. So let them stay at home, watch the playoffs TV, and get mad. Then maybe things will change.

Following your line of thought, the best thing that could happen, is if we somehow get in, and lose in the first round, again. That would make three years in a row; getting knocked out in the first round. Surely THAT would do something. Right?

No. I can't go there with you. As tough as this loss was, I'm still hoping we can make the playoffs, and do well. Our playoff hopes are still very much alive. We need a little help. And then can still make it.

But our outlook for success when and if we get there, took a big hit last night. That much, I can say.

Go Cowboys!!!

 

[Dallas22]

I agree whole heartedly!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't want to see us back into the playoffs.

Making the playoffs because someone else loses and we can't win is anti climatic and is just prolonging the inevitable.

Still, being a Cowboys fan I am unable to root AGAINST the Cowboys making it into the Playoffs. The thing is as it always is IF the Cowboys get LUCKY and make the Playoffs ANYTHING can happen... it's a new season in the Playoffs and going on a 4 game winning streak wins you the Super Bowl. Of course, the Cowboys haven't won 4 in a row this season (only 3 in a row 2 times) and don't look like they'll do very well if they get in but again, it's my Cowboys and I can't root against them... gotta always hope that there still is a CHANCE, another game to play, another chance to win another game and continue on... GO COWBOYS!!!