We May Have to Win the Division to Get into the Playoffs

[TheHustler]

The only team the Giants have beaten on the road is the 49ers, and not in any emphatic way either. I don't see them winnin the division.

 

[NorTex]

Injuries will pop up for each and every "playoff team" and will alter the outcome of the playoff chase.

You really have to wait until December to make any kind of "informed" prediction on who will make the playoffs.

IE: If any of the NFC East teams lose a QB for more than 3 games, you can turn out the lights on the season for them.

 

[Derinyar]

Its a dog fight. It hasn't been in previous years. I think we have as good of a chance as Washington or NY. They each play one side of the ball very well. We play both sides pretty well. I think that ads up.

We aren't a lock, but hopefully Julius comes back and the offense actually steps up a small notch.

 

[Dallas22]

It's going to be tough for any of these teams to make the playoffs, but 6 HAVE to.

I looked over the schedule for the NFC East teams and some of the other contenders and the Cowboys do have a VERY TOUGH schedule.

Disadvantages are that we play our 3 Division rivals AWAY. This will be tough, but if we can somehow sweep the eaGALS on MNF and later on beat the Skins to split the season series, that would be wonderful. The Giants look to be the toughest of the 3 teams to hang with at their place. I must say though, Philly will be ready for us on MNF, especially since we embarrassed them 31-10 AND they are going through some team issues with TO - it seems like they have more to prove than the Cowboys.

Advantages are that we play the tougher AFC teams left on our schedule at HOME. Denver will be tough on Thanksgiving, but I think that we can pull it out with some good defense. The KC game will also be a challenge, but again, at home, we should have the advantage.

As far as the other 3 teams left on our schedule, Carolina is the only one that has the "better looking" team right now. St. Louis is our final game and in their dome, but the way BOTH teams play will depend on what the playoff situation is in Week 17 - this game is defenatly NOT a sure win. The Detroit game, which is at home and after the MNF game against Philly, is one that we HAVE to win.

I am just hoping that the Cowboys can somehow take the NFC East and get a bye in the first round. I think that IF we are the team that we SHOULD be, we will have the 2nd best record in the NFC (behind Carolina/Atlanta). I know that the easier part of our schedule was the 1st half of the season and we are currently 5-3, but we SHOULD be 7-1 (possibly 8-0) AND we've had growing pains - especially on the defensive side. We should only continue improving on Defense, while offensively we should be able to keep up the scoring, hopfully in the 24-28+ range. If so, we should be able to win MOST of these remaining games and win the East.

If the Giants continue to get these wins, lead the East and happen to win the East, now we must battle the other NFC teams for the Wild-Card spots. Looks like the loser of the NFC South (ATL or CAR) will be one of the Wild-Card spots, so that leaves 1 open. There are still a bunch of teams still with a "chance" to grab it:

Dallas (5-3) - Need to WIN WIN WIN!
Washington (5-3) - I think that they will drop off some. I STILL just don't see them being that good of a team.
Tampa Bay (5-3) - Another team that should drop off, hopefully.
Philly (4-4) - Not out of the running yet; Don't count them out, especially if this TO thing gets them pumped up looking for blood and redemption for the 2nd half of the season... I HATE the eaGALS!
St. Louis (4-4) - Also still in the running. High powered offense, but should not be able to keep up a high win pace and hopefully fall out for the playoff picture soon.

Obviously, being a Cowboy fan, I think that Dallas is the BEST team of the ones mentioned above, but it all really depends on how many games they can not only WIN but HOW they win. The Cowboys defense MUST keep their opponent under 13 points in just about EVERY game on a consistent basis, and if so, and I think that this is VERY possible, our offense SHOULD get us enough points to win most of our remaining games - AGAIN, assuming that we don't BLOW games like in the 1st half of the season and can score TD's, not miss FGs, in the Red Zone.

Some big questions for PART II of the 2005 Season... I am worried, but I am hopeful.

GO COWBOYS!!!

Dallas22

 

[Taylor_Can_Hit21]

The Skins will fade- they were barely able to beat the birds, crippled as they are.
The Giants have a lot of holes on D, so I think we can pass them as well. We do have a tough schedule, but I realistically think we will sweep the divisional games, and detroit- that gives us 9 wins, and we should be able to take St louis as well. KC does not look as tough as they did earlier on- their so called D improvements have not lasted.11-5 is a distinct possibility. Carolina is the only relatively sure loss I see; Denver is probably the other.

We've played the hardest part of our Scheduale. We played 6 teams with a 5-3 record or better.

 

[Verdict]

The Skins will fade- they were barely able to beat the birds, crippled as they are.
The Giants have a lot of holes on D, so I think we can pass them as well. We do have a tough schedule, but I realistically think we will sweep the divisional games, and detroit- that gives us 9 wins, and we should be able to take St louis as well. KC does not look as tough as they did earlier on- their so called D improvements have not lasted.11-5 is a distinct possibility. Carolina is the only relatively sure loss I see; Denver is probably the other.

Actually I'm more afraid of Denver than Carolina. If you shut down Steve Smith, they are very beatable. Hear that Cowboy DB's?

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I think the Eagles are finished. Without TO, they have no running game and no passing game. Their weaknesses were glaring last night.

So toss in two W's for the Giants against the Eagles. I think they beat the Vikings and Raiders. Two more W's. If they lose their other 4 games (Seattle, Dallas, KC, and Washington) ... they'll finish 10-6.

Giants have a softer schedule than we do, and can afford an additional loss. Add in the extra home game, and it looks good for them.

Why do you think they will beat the Raiders?

 

[Taylor_Can_Hit21]

Actually I'm more afraid of Denver than Carolina. If you shut down Steve Smith, they are very beatable. Hear that Cowboy DB's?

Not too much of a difference from Moss to Smith you know...

 

[The30YardSlant]

Not too much of a difference from Moss to Smith you know...

Yeah, there is

Smith is better