What it takes for Cowboys to be a Super Bowl Contender?

[Bullflop]

In response to the OP's question, I believe this team might very well be capable of contending for the Super Bowl but contending and winning once getting there are two different things. To win the SB, we would be obliged to improve our defense considerably before we'd be likely to defeat a team like the Pats and Tom Brady.

Specifically, the lack of a consistently effective pass rush probably wouldn't allow the Cowboys to prevent Brady and his cohorts from outscoring us there. Of course, anything could happen but the odds would most likely work in their favor with all things being as they are at this point in time.

 

[DandyDon52]

I have much more faith in Dak and the offense continuing to improve. I think that the more he plays, the better he will become at 'pulling the trigger' and throwing before he has to 'see it'. And I expect his most recent game to be a real learning experience for him.

Defensively, I think that they're playing well past their pedigree and talent. And that's a big credit to Rod Marinelli, a coach that I have been very critical of. He has his 'orphans' playing very well. But now I worry about the effect the Claiborne and Church injuries might have.

The pass rush - and lack thereof - continues to concern me and I don't see a fix coming, especially with the trade deadline passed.

pretty much how I see it, except for pass rush.
At 6-1 and the only loss by one point and could have been won easily, they are doing great without that big pass rush.

now losing mo and church is going to have an effect , but just have to wait and see about that.
I am afraid losing those two could hurt alot.

Now the only thing we really need is the chemistry Dak has got going , and the whole team has now got it going.
This is more important than pass rush or defense.
Why? look at Carolina, they are same team that rolled thru the nfc to SB, and are now 2-5 !!
They had some chemistry last year, and it made them better than they would normally be.
They got hot, and on a roll.
But now they lost that somehow, and 2-5 is the result.

The NYG had chemistry on both their SB runs, but they dont have that anymore.

Just look at the end of philly game, and watch our players, they acted like they had just won the SB, or were 0-6 and just
beat a unbeaten team !

That can carry a team, and Dak is a good leader due to the type of person he is ,how he works hard, and wants to win
every game, not lose and watch tape and get better, but win them all !

With the other powers in NFC being not so great this season, I see this cowboys team going to the SB.
Now once there, I cant say they could beat Denver or NE, but they just might.

It is only halfway there, or will be after the cleveland game, but right now things look good for a run.......with Dak at QB .
Not saying he is better QB but he is the key to the winning and chemistry, and attitude of this team.
Even Frederick says this year is different from 2014.

Hey JG called a fake punt, and it worked !! best fake punt I have see in long time, and it surprised me and eagles and everyone else.
Usually stuff like that just doesnt work for cowboys, like the onside kick early on.

Win 3 more in a row, and this team will have done something,that I think no other dallas team has ever done,
and that is win 9 in a row.

 

[DandyDon52]

In response to the OP's question, I believe this team might very well be capable of contending for the Super Bowl but contending and winning once getting there are two different things. To win the SB, we would be obliged to improve our defense considerably before we'd be likely to defeat a team like the Pats and Tom Brady.

Specifically, the lack of a consistently effective pass rush probably wouldn't allow the Cowboys to prevent Brady and his cohorts from outscoring us there. Of course, anything could happen but the odds would most likely work in their favor with all things being as they are at this point in time.

I agree bullflop, but we are 6-1 with the no pass rush, so it is possible if our offense can play better each week, that they
could beat Denver or NE, who we assume will be at the SB, but they arent there yet.
So far Oakland is doing good too, at 6-2 they are in the running.

I am not thinking much about SB right now, better to be like the team, and just go week by week and see what happens.
I know we will make the playoffs, but after that it is hard to say.

 

[Bullflop]

I agree bullflop, but we are 6-1 with the no pass rush, so it is possible if our offense can play better each week, that they
could beat Denver or NE, who we assume will be at the SB, but they arent there yet.
So far Oakland is doing good too, at 6-2 they are in the running.

I am not thinking much about SB right now, better to be like the team, and just go week by week and see what happens.
I know we will make the playoffs, but after that it is hard to say.

I'm inclined to agree with all the above. I think we're perfectly capable of competing on a fairly equal basis with most, if not all, of the teams in the National Conference including possibly even Atlanta but the ones in the American Conference like those you mentioned could be tough sledding in the SB. I'm not really thinking in terms of the Super Bowl myself either, except in response to the OPs question about contending for that honor.

The playoffs will be enough of a challenge in itself, assuming that things will continue to go swimmingly enough to get there. Right now, I'd have to say it looks pretty promising, though. Here's hoping excessive injuries don't hogtie us before we're able to qualify. Things would really have to go south before that disastrous possibility came to fruition. So far, so good. With a decent run of luck, it should continue -- we're on a roll, baby!

 

[Galian Beast]

I truly believe the league is maintaining the marijuana testing and suspensions because alcohol is a major ad revenue source. Alcohol interests have really pushed to slow the legalization of marijuana. If the NFL and other leagues stop testing and suspended it will move the needle heavily in favour of the pro marijuana legalization side. They recognize this.

 

[DandyDon52]

I truly believe the league is maintaining the marijuana testing and suspensions because alcohol is a major ad revenue source. Alcohol interests have really pushed to slow the legalization of marijuana. If the NFL and other leagues stop testing and suspended it will move the needle heavily in favour of the pro marijuana legalization side. They recognize this.

Alcohol is the "Official Drug" of the NFL, they get a lot o money or the networks do, from the "Alcohol Cartels" lol

 

[DandyDon52]

I'm inclined to agree with all the above. I think we're perfectly capable of competing on a fairly equal basis with most, if not all, of the teams in the National Conference including possibly even Atlanta but the ones in the American Conference like those you mentioned could be tough sledding in the SB. I'm not really thinking in terms of the Super Bowl myself either, except in response to the OPs question about contending for that honor.

The playoffs will be enough of a challenge in itself, assuming that things will continue to go swimmingly enough to get there. Right now, I'd have to say it looks pretty promising, though. Here's hoping excessive injuries don't hogtie us before we're able to qualify. Things would really have to go south before that disastrous possibility came to fruition. So far, so good. With a decent run of luck, it should continue -- we're on a roll, baby!

Yeah I forget about Atlanta, they could be dangerous in playoffs, and I dont think we match up good with them.

They might simply outscore us. Julio is playing great this year.
that might be the one team that dallas cant handle.
But if lucky we might not have to play them.

 

[Bullflop]

Yeah I forget about Atlanta, they could be dangerous in playoffs, and I dont think we match up good with them.

They might simply outscore us. Julio is playing great this year.
that might be the one team that dallas cant handle.
But if lucky we might not have to play them.

Julio had 8 receptions for 111 yards vs. Tampa last night, if I remember correctly.

So, yeah, he'd be a devilish one to contend with, for sure. Great team offensively.

Matt Ryan had 344 yds, with four TDs, so they may be lax a smidge on defense.

 

[TrailBlazer]

Just need to stay relatively healthy and don't try to fix what isn't broken. We have seen the blueprint. It's simple.

 

[Clove]

What this says is that the Cowboys Offense is efficient and is good enough to be a Super bowl type offense. The Cowboys Defense is alright but needs to be a top 5 defense to be a Super Bowl type defense. What do we need to do to be 5th ranked defense by week 16 of the season?

Patriots 13th ranked Defense 2014 season Super Bowl Champs.
Baltimore 17th ranked defense 2012 season Super Bowl champs
New York Giants 27th ranked defense 2011 season Super Bowl champs
New Orleans Saints 25th ranked defense 2009 season Super Bowl champs- Cowboys were 2nd in offense 9th in defense that year.
Just saying.

 

[waldoputty]

Cowboys’ Offense

Yards/game ranked 4th

Pts/Game ranked 7th

Cowboys’ Defense

Least yards/game ranked 12th lowest

Least Points/game ranked 7th lowest



What this says is that the Cowboys Offense is efficient and is good enough to be a Super bowl type offense. The Cowboys Defense is alright but needs to be a top 5 defense to be a Super Bowl type defense. What do we need to do to be 5th ranked defense by week 16 of the season?

I actually believe we are a serious contender as is.
Obviously a better defense will help our chances a lot.
As I see it, one can argue the Cowboys are a top 2 team in the league.
If we play New England, it is quite possible neither defense can really stop the other side's offense.
Not quite sure which mismatch is worst though, but probably have to give it to Patriots at this point.

One pass rusher may make a difference on our side though.
Whether Gregory can stay clean for 3 more months, come in and make the difference, is the question.

 

[bayeslife]

He was addicted to pot.

I might understand giving a pass to a player who smokes pot like you might enjoy a beer or glass of wine every once in awhile. But not to a guy who has to light up multiple times a day. That's a problem.

Not anything worse than prescription medication. And no he is not addicted. Going to rehab for weed is a joke

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Tony Romo and the stars aligning for us.

 

[DandyDon1722]

Cowboys’ Offense

Yards/game ranked 4th

Pts/Game ranked 7th

Cowboys’ Defense

Least yards/game ranked 12th lowest

Least Points/game ranked 7th lowest



What this says is that the Cowboys Offense is efficient and is good enough to be a Super bowl type offense. The Cowboys Defense is alright but needs to be a top 5 defense to be a Super Bowl type defense. What do we need to do to be 5th ranked defense by week 16 of the season?

There's only one stat you need to pay attention to and it is the one that correlates most to winning in the NFL. No team has ever won a Super Bowl in the bottom ten of Def Pass Rating. You simply can't do it (so far). How important is is?

Last year's best - Den - Car - Green Bay - Seattle
Last year's worst - NO, Tenn, Jets, Clev

The stat just doesn't lie. Last time I looked we were 19th. You will have to hope that improves.

 

[LandryFan]

DLaw to peak
O line to stay healthy
Sean Lee to stay healthy
These should help.

Wouldn't hurt if Julio Jones injures a hammy but I'm not wishing that on him.

We need some lucky bounces, good health and some really foul playoff weather.

What difference does foul playoff weather make? The roof at ATT can be closed...

 

[LandryFan]

There's only one stat you need to pay attention to and it is the one that correlates most to winning in the NFL. No team has ever won a Super Bowl in the bottom ten of Def Pass Rating. You simply can't do it (so far). How important is is?

Last year's best - Den - Car - Green Bay - Seattle
Last year's worst - NO, Tenn, Jets, Clev

The stat just doesn't lie. Last time I looked we were 19th. You will have to hope that improves.

I'm sure your data on SB winners/pass defense rating is correct, but I don't think you can look at that in a vacuum and say that being bottom 10 in ranking is the cause of not winning a SB. Teams with a lot of wins are leading most of their games which, in turn, forces the teams that are behind to abandon the run and go to a pure passing offense. Many of the passing yards are given up in garbage time, by design (prevent defense). Of course, given a choice I want my defense ranked as high as possible but the ranking by raw yards given up is not a true indicator of a defense's strength, IMO.

 

[Denim Chicken]

We are a contender. I don't see a team that we would have a chance against.

 

[DandyDon1722]

I'm sure your data on SB winners/pass defense rating is correct, but I don't think you can look at that in a vacuum and say that being bottom 10 in ranking is the cause of not winning a SB. Teams with a lot of wins are leading most of their games which, in turn, forces the teams that are behind to abandon the run and go to a pure passing offense. Many of the passing yards are given up in garbage time, by design (prevent defense). Of course, given a choice I want my defense ranked as high as possible but the ranking by raw yards given up is not a true indicator of a defense's strength, IMO.

I would agree with all of that - I think there is a lot of nuance in that particular stat and what makes it so compelling is it has never been overcome and more so how teams with winning records are mostly top ten and bad teams mostly bottom ten. I think if you are bad at defending the pass you are vulnerable to comeback wins by the opposition (see our GB playoff game of 2014).

In the Giants two SB runs they were in the mid teens in DPR during the season then went on two historic defensive runs which catapulted them to a top five ranking both years.

It's a very interesting stat and one to keep your eye on for reference as the season evolves.

 

[LandryFan]

I would agree with all of that - I think there is a lot of nuance in that particular stat and what makes it so compelling is it has never been overcome and more so how teams with winning records are mostly top ten and bad teams mostly bottom ten. I think if you are bad at defending the pass you are vulnerable to comeback wins by the opposition (see our GB playoff game of 2014).

In the Giants two SB runs they were in the mid teens in DPR during the season then went on two historic defensive runs which catapulted them to a top five ranking both years.

It's a very interesting stat and one to keep your eye on for reference as the season evolves.

I am certainly worried about our pass defense, but my concern stems from our defensive front and an inability to pressure the QB at at least an average rate. Our defensive backfield, up to now, has held their own pretty well up to now (recent injuries may change that, though). We have to let a lot play out yet before I get too up or down on this team. I'm just thankful that we are where we are right now. My fingers are crossed for the future.

 

[ChooChoo73]

What difference does foul playoff weather make? The roof at ATT can be closed...

Nicely done. I stand corrected.