We can be 10-6 and better than last year

Idgit

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Did you read my reply? I said the defense was bad. You're acting like that was the ONLY problem that game.

It was the only significant problem that game under the team's control. I also didn't like them thinking they could substitute on defense when GB didn't. That was a coaching miscalculation, but it cost 5 yards and was embarrassing, it didn't materially impact the outcome of the game.

The other stuff you said just wasn't true. The offense came out in the first drive and did not look flat. They scored, and they probably would have scored 7 but Witten/Dak had a blocking miscue that cost them 6 yards and stalled the drive. They did not abandon the run. They ran it about the same rate they ran it at all season. They rarely run after a sack in the passing game, and they obviously don't run on 2nd an 20 or 3rd and 20 after the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

As for the debate about resting starters, like I said, that goes back and forth, but there's no conclusive argument for or against. If you've got a guy like Tyron Smith or Demarcus Lawrence playing through a back injury, it only makes sense to rest them for a few weeks if you're able. It's obviously not 'cowardice.' It might have been the wrong decision, but the fact that you're even trying to chalk it up to something so obviously not the case shows you're not really interested in an honest evaluation of that game.

As far as the defense goes, sandwiching 'yes, the defense has always been a problem' in between a bunch of imaginary offensive criticisms and a dig at the coaches for resting knicked-up players is pretty much lip service as far as I'm concerned. When the other guys go 5 plays/75 yards/2:25 s/7 points, 13 plays/90 yards/5:47 s/ 7 points, and 9 plays/80 yards/5:24 s/7 points, at home, and you have fans complaining about the *offense* looking flat when we scored on the first drive and had the second stalled on a bizarre 10 yard unsportsmanlike conduct call...yeah, that's playing lip service to 'yes, the defense has been a problem.'
 

Verdict

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The offense came out flat, and looked unprepared. We abandoned the run in key situations several times, which is a HUGE reason we went 13-3. Linehan tried to get cute with the play calling when we'd throw on 3rd and shorts. Yes, the defense has always been a problem. The play calling (and of course that spike) was bad. Garrett should have had all the starters play in the eagles game. Garrett is a Coward.

While it is true that the defense allowed quite a few points the offense came out flat and let Green Bay mount an almost insurmountable lead in that game. A huge part of that was play calling. We got away from what we normally do and let the game get out of hand.

The loss was as much the fault of the offense as the defense. The offense let the other team get so far ahead that they could relax and play loose, which is a huge advantage. If Green Bay had to match us score for score things could have been way different. They would have had to play much tighter because any mistake could have cost them the game.

Likewise, the officiating also played a huge part in that loss. To say otherwise is folly. The phantom call about the substitution was a back breaker, and I have zero doubt in my mind that it was an intentional momentum killer by the officials.
 

jrumann59

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So based on the schedule... Dallas goes 10-6 that would mean rest of the NFCE is 9-7 or worse. To tell you the truth I think Philly may end up in the cellar. I think Chicago and Carolina are not true last place teams. I think Carolina is scarier to play right now in 2018 than GB or Atl.

Washington has no cakewalk either. I mean NO while porous on defense still can hang 30+ on anyone. Minny will have their starting QB back.

NYG now their 2 games against 2nd place NFC opponents looks pretty close Detroit and TB.

Dallas schedule through the prism of how teams finished last year looks tough but don't worry we will see the "Who have the cowboys beaten" threads popping up if they are 6-2 by the halfway mark.
 
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RoboQB

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So based on the schedule... Dallas goes 10-6 that would mean rest of the NFCE is 9-7 or worse. To tell you the truth I think Philly may end up in the cellar. I think Chicago and Carolina are not true last place teams. I think Carolina is scarier to play right now in 2018 than GB or Atl.

Washington has no cakewalk either. I mean NO while porous on defense still can hang 30+ on anyone. Minny will have their starting QB back.

NYG now their 2 games against 2nd place NFC opponents looks pretty close Detroit and TB.

Dallas schedule through the prism of how teams finished last year looks tough but don't worry we will see the "Who have the cowboys beaten" threads popping up if they are 6-2 by the halfway mark.

Are you from the future?
 

aria

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10-6 would honestly be a disappointment for me, I expect 12-4. Our defense may take time to gel but should be better than last years D. I really don't think the concern about the defense is as big as some people think. As long as the offense can continue to move the ball and control the clock then the defense doesn't have to be spectacular.
 
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