Upsets in the NFL- why you can’t count wins looking ahead

[Bobhaze]

It’s always a fun fan exercise to look ahead on the schedule and “count the games we’re going to win”, then predicting a final season record accordingly.

The problem is the NFL has upsets happen almost weekly. Because the talent gap between the best and worst teams is not that big, predicting wins on the schedule is much harder to do in the NFL than in college football where the talent gaps can be giant.

Just look at the upsets that have happened so far in the NFL:

• Pittsburgh upsets Buffalo in Buffalo on opening day, 23-16.
• The Saints blast the pack on opening day 38-3.
  
• The Chargers beat the chiefs in week 3 at Arrowhead 30-24.
• The giants upset the Saints 27-21. (I’m sure we all had that one called)
• The jets upset the Titans 27-24 in week 4.
• The beagles upset the Panthers when they were hot 21-18.
• The Titans beat the bills 34-31 last week on Mon night. (The team that got beat by the jets beat the AFCs best team, lol)

It’s clear by now that looking at the schedule and counting wins is not that easy. Im excited about this Cowboys team this year. But every game on the schedule- every one- will be a winnable AND lose-able game. That’s just the NFL.

 

[jazzcat22]

Fans do look ahead on the schedule, and they do count wins or losses.

I think the key point as you said should be...do not count games as wins and losses....but it happens.
However, I feel many of us, also know just what you said, we know that anything can happen. So we say we should win this, but also know it could be one of those days.

I am enjoying this year 1 week at a time. I did just look at the scheduled, but not as to a win or loss, but to respond in another of your threads about the defense. As I posted our defense vs. other teams offenses. For what possible tough games they may have stopping other teams. But this applies also, you never know what will happen.

So one game at a time should be the case, but it is still easy to look ahead for many.

 

[CATCH17]

I mean.. I said Dallas was going to go on a run after the Chargers game.. It actually happened starting with the Chargers game.

I felt like we could go 7-0 during this stretch before the Chiefs but conservative guess was 5-2..

Dallas is good but the teams we are beating are kind of trash outside of San Diego.

 

[Reid1boys]

It’s always a fun fan exercise to look ahead on the schedule and “count the games we’re going to win”, then predicting a final season record accordingly.

The problem is the NFL has upsets happen almost weekly. Because the talent gap between the best and worst teams is not that big, predicting wins on the schedule is much harder to do in the NFL than in college football where the talent gaps can be giant.

Just look at the upsets that have happened so far in the NFL:

• Pittsburgh upsets Buffalo in Buffalo on opening day, 23-16.
• The Saints blast the pack on opening day 38-3.
  
• The Chargers beat the chiefs in week 3 at Arrowhead 30-24.
• The giants upset the Saints 27-21. (I’m sure we all had that one called)
• The jets upset the Titans 27-24 in week 4.
• The beagles upset the Panthers when they were hot 21-18.
• The Titans beat the bills 34-31 last week on Mon night. (The team that got beat by the jets beat the AFCs best team, lol)

It’s clear by now that looking at the schedule and counting wins is not that easy. Im excited about this Cowboys team this year. But every game on the schedule- every one- will be a winnable AND lose-able game. That’s just the NFL.

As a fan... I certainly can count wins.
Ive decided we will finish with a 15-2 record.

 

[Cowboys22]

No harm in looking ahead and projecting wins and losses but everyone should always take into account that upsets happen all the time and football is a game of matchups. Too many factors to list can change those matchups from week to week. Todays NFL is not a league where if A beats B and B beats C, then A will surely beat C. Injuries, unexplainable penalties, funny bounces, mental lapses, and a host of other factors make it totally unpredictable but that doesn't mean fans can't try to predict their team's future wins and losses.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

This Vikings game is making me nervous.... with past good Cowboy teams, it has the makings of an upset. Hope they are ready after the bye. If they can come out and play their game, and win. It will show they truly are a different team and will be one to reckon with the remainder of the season. Keep it rolling Boys.

 

[cowboyblue22]

It’s always a fun fan exercise to look ahead on the schedule and “count the games we’re going to win”, then predicting a final season record accordingly.

The problem is the NFL has upsets happen almost weekly. Because the talent gap between the best and worst teams is not that big, predicting wins on the schedule is much harder to do in the NFL than in college football where the talent gaps can be giant.

Just look at the upsets that have happened so far in the NFL:

• Pittsburgh upsets Buffalo in Buffalo on opening day, 23-16.
• The Saints blast the pack on opening day 38-3.
  
• The Chargers beat the chiefs in week 3 at Arrowhead 30-24.
• The giants upset the Saints 27-21. (I’m sure we all had that one called)
• The jets upset the Titans 27-24 in week 4.
• The beagles upset the Panthers when they were hot 21-18.
• The Titans beat the bills 34-31 last week on Mon night. (The team that got beat by the jets beat the AFCs best team, lol)

It’s clear by now that looking at the schedule and counting wins is not that easy. Im excited about this Cowboys team this year. But every game on the schedule- every one- will be a winnable AND lose-able game. That’s just the NFL.

i think we should all just relax and take it one game at a time and enjoy watching this team grow very excited for what this team can accomplish if they stay healthy

 

[lostar2009]

Fans do look ahead on the schedule, and they do count wins or losses.

I think the key point as you said should be...do not count games as wins and losses....but it happens.
However, I feel many of us, also know just what you said, we know that anything can happen. So we say we should win this, but also know it could be one of those days.

I am enjoying this year 1 week at a time. I did just look at the scheduled, but not as to a win or loss, but to respond in another of your threads about the defense. As I posted our defense vs. other teams offenses. For what possible tough games they may have stopping other teams. But this applies also, you never know what will happen.

So one game at a time should be the case, but it is still easy to look ahead for many.

Similar to the Pats game. We knew we shouldve won it. But when it rain it pours.

 

[LovinItAll]

As a fan... I certainly can count wins.
Ive decided we will finish with a 15-2 record.

Hmm…..I have us finishing 17-0. The league will review the TB game and give it to us since RG is SUCH a Dallas fan. He’s going to instruct the refs to not throw another flag, plus he’s going to give MM an extra 5 minutes to make in-game clock decisions. No more TDs that somehow don't count, no more Ds blasting our elite QB and not getting the roughing call, etc.

Not sure why the Lombardi hasn't already been engraved. It's destiny!

 

[Ranched]

MEANWHILE....

 

[Verdict]

Some of you guys are acting like you are suiting up and playing for the Cowboys. As fans we can look ahead, argue about things, count chickens before they hatch and anything else you can think of and it has no affect on the team’s actual performance.

 

[john van brocklin]

It’s always a fun fan exercise to look ahead on the schedule and “count the games we’re going to win”, then predicting a final season record accordingly.

The problem is the NFL has upsets happen almost weekly. Because the talent gap between the best and worst teams is not that big, predicting wins on the schedule is much harder to do in the NFL than in college football where the talent gaps can be giant.

Just look at the upsets that have happened so far in the NFL:

• Pittsburgh upsets Buffalo in Buffalo on opening day, 23-16.
• The Saints blast the pack on opening day 38-3.
  
• The Chargers beat the chiefs in week 3 at Arrowhead 30-24.
• The giants upset the Saints 27-21. (I’m sure we all had that one called)
• The jets upset the Titans 27-24 in week 4.
• The beagles upset the Panthers when they were hot 21-18.
• The Titans beat the bills 34-31 last week on Mon night. (The team that got beat by the jets beat the AFCs best team, lol)

It’s clear by now that looking at the schedule and counting wins is not that easy. Im excited about this Cowboys team this year. But every game on the schedule- every one- will be a winnable AND lose-able game. That’s just the NFL.

There sre

It’s always a fun fan exercise to look ahead on the schedule and “count the games we’re going to win”, then predicting a final season record accordingly.

The problem is the NFL has upsets happen almost weekly. Because the talent gap between the best and worst teams is not that big, predicting wins on the schedule is much harder to do in the NFL than in college football where the talent gaps can be giant.

Just look at the upsets that have happened so far in the NFL:

• Pittsburgh upsets Buffalo in Buffalo on opening day, 23-16.
• The Saints blast the pack on opening day 38-3.
  
• The Chargers beat the chiefs in week 3 at Arrowhead 30-24.
• The giants upset the Saints 27-21. (I’m sure we all had that one called)
• The jets upset the Titans 27-24 in week 4.
• The beagles upset the Panthers when they were hot 21-18.
• The Titans beat the bills 34-31 last week on Mon night. (The team that got beat by the jets beat the AFCs best team, lol)

It’s clear by now that looking at the schedule and counting wins is not that easy. Im excited about this Cowboys team this year. But every game on the schedule- every one- will be a winnable AND lose-able game. That’s just the NFL.

No gimmies in today's NFL with parity.

 

[ghst187]

This Vikings game is making me nervous.... with past good Cowboy teams, it has the makings of an upset. Hope they are ready after the bye. If they can come out and play their game, and win. It will show they truly are a different team and will be one to reckon with the remainder of the season. Keep it rolling Boys.

i agree, I think the Vikings will be tough. I do think we beat Denver and New Orleans though. I think we can beat KC too if we don’t turn it over and do dumb stuff. It’s the NFL so unlikely we win out or anything, always one of those games that just happens.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

Early season is hard to judge. Bad teams don't know they are bad yet. About now, reality is sitting in with some teams and players, especially those headed into FA, will start making business decisions at times.. maybe not put in 2-3 hours a day at home watching film, etc. I think we know who the top teams are right now.. and Dallas is on that list.. and will only improve.. I suspect we will be no worse than 9-2 coming out of the Turkey day game.

 

[TwoDeep3]

It’s always a fun fan exercise to look ahead on the schedule and “count the games we’re going to win”, then predicting a final season record accordingly.

The problem is the NFL has upsets happen almost weekly. Because the talent gap between the best and worst teams is not that big, predicting wins on the schedule is much harder to do in the NFL than in college football where the talent gaps can be giant.

Just look at the upsets that have happened so far in the NFL:

• Pittsburgh upsets Buffalo in Buffalo on opening day, 23-16.
• The Saints blast the pack on opening day 38-3.
  
• The Chargers beat the chiefs in week 3 at Arrowhead 30-24.
• The giants upset the Saints 27-21. (I’m sure we all had that one called)
• The jets upset the Titans 27-24 in week 4.
• The beagles upset the Panthers when they were hot 21-18.
• The Titans beat the bills 34-31 last week on Mon night. (The team that got beat by the jets beat the AFCs best team, lol)

It’s clear by now that looking at the schedule and counting wins is not that easy. Im excited about this Cowboys team this year. But every game on the schedule- every one- will be a winnable AND lose-able game. That’s just the NFL.

Bob, how can opening day be an upset? The assumption of who will be good and who will not is a guess at best. If nothing the Cowboys should indicate how what people think before the first kick-off is folly.

Later when a team shows it isn't all that, the reviewing the match-ups and relabeling them upsets still has a problem.

So many times we have witnessed a team that was labeled a powerhouse to lose gak,es early, and when the dust settles at the end of the season they are a lottery team.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

It’s always a fun fan exercise to look ahead on the schedule and “count the games we’re going to win”, then predicting a final season record accordingly.

The problem is the NFL has upsets happen almost weekly. Because the talent gap between the best and worst teams is not that big, predicting wins on the schedule is much harder to do in the NFL than in college football where the talent gaps can be giant.

Just look at the upsets that have happened so far in the NFL:

• Pittsburgh upsets Buffalo in Buffalo on opening day, 23-16.
• The Saints blast the pack on opening day 38-3.
  
• The Chargers beat the chiefs in week 3 at Arrowhead 30-24.
• The giants upset the Saints 27-21. (I’m sure we all had that one called)
• The jets upset the Titans 27-24 in week 4.
• The beagles upset the Panthers when they were hot 21-18.
• The Titans beat the bills 34-31 last week on Mon night. (The team that got beat by the jets beat the AFCs best team, lol)

It’s clear by now that looking at the schedule and counting wins is not that easy. Im excited about this Cowboys team this year. But every game on the schedule- every one- will be a winnable AND lose-able game. That’s just the NFL.

Once again, an insightful post, Bobhaze. Thank you. A lot of fans don't realize just how slim the margin between good team and bad team is in the NFL. You may have noticed in our game against the New York Giants, a game we won handily, that the Giants were not a hopeless and incompetent team. They're a team with talent that was playing their hearts out trying to win, despite having to overcome several injuries. Taking them lightly and not preparing well would have been exactly what the Giants needed to beat us. Fortunately, that's not what this Cowboys team did. They went in as a well-prepared and excellent NFL football team.

It's important to be up for and well-prepared for every game on the schedules. There are no gimmees.

 

[75boyz]

Yeah,
not sure if the pre mature swag approach is the right one. Kinda more of a keep your head down, stay humble and grind kinda guy myself.

The Dallas Cowboy Experience as an active player practically won't allow this approach nowadays especially with the present culture of branding and me first lifestyles being marketed to the extreme.

I just wish maybe a tad of the bravado that's being shown could wait until after something has officially been won.

IF this team does another one and done the journey being enjoyed by so many now will come to a mighty abrupt halt.

jmo

 

[Established1971]

It’s always a fun fan exercise to look ahead on the schedule and “count the games we’re going to win”, then predicting a final season record accordingly.

The problem is the NFL has upsets happen almost weekly. Because the talent gap between the best and worst teams is not that big, predicting wins on the schedule is much harder to do in the NFL than in college football where the talent gaps can be giant.

Just look at the upsets that have happened so far in the NFL:

• Pittsburgh upsets Buffalo in Buffalo on opening day, 23-16.
• The Saints blast the pack on opening day 38-3.
  
• The Chargers beat the chiefs in week 3 at Arrowhead 30-24.
• The giants upset the Saints 27-21. (I’m sure we all had that one called)
• The jets upset the Titans 27-24 in week 4.
• The beagles upset the Panthers when they were hot 21-18.
• The Titans beat the bills 34-31 last week on Mon night. (The team that got beat by the jets beat the AFCs best team, lol)

It’s clear by now that looking at the schedule and counting wins is not that easy. Im excited about this Cowboys team this year. But every game on the schedule- every one- will be a winnable AND lose-able game. That’s just the NFL.

Broncos and Panthers were both 3-0 now 3-3, the NFL undulates all year

 

[uvaballa]

I'm not counting wins but i'd be shocked if they don't win atleast 13 games this year.

 

[Macnalty]

I mean.. I said Dallas was going to go on a run after the Chargers game.. It actually happened starting with the Chargers game.

I felt like we could go 7-0 during this stretch before the Chiefs but conservative guess was 5-2..

Dallas is good but the teams we are beating are kind of trash outside of San Diego.

The boys unfortunately have to play games on their schedule, San Diego was a big win no doubt and a feather in our cap.This team is a handful as most teams Defenses are set up to stop the pass, coming in with both a potent pass and running game is a nightmare for the DC's and puts lots of stress on the offense to score often. Enjoy the journey, this might turn into something special.