Win or lose Sunday Night- remember this team is developing

[Bobhaze]

I know to some this is sacrilege, but our Cowboys are not going to finish 16-1. Even the best teams in the league don’t always perform to the best of their team’s ability every single week. Matchups are different; injuries happen; yada, yada. That’s just the way the NFL is. Maybe we win, Sunday, maybe we don’t.

But win or lose Sunday night, here are some things to keep in mind about this team’s overall narrative:

• This team is still developing. It’s not a finished product. There are great things about this team and not so great things. But it is still developing.
• This is a young team- especially on defense. Youth means they are still learning and developing. This team will have some hiccups and mistakes but will continue to develop.
• There’s a reason no team is crowned in October. We are less than 40% of the way into the season, and with 17 games, a lot of things can happen and change- and will.
  
• Adversity will measure this team- not destroy it. All good teams face adversity- it’s what separates the great from the average. Don’t panic when adversity strikes because it will be an opportunity to strengthen the team mentally. I don’t ever want to lose but- Sometimes a loss is a growth opportunity.

A 17 game season is a marathon, not a sprint. We have 60% of the season ahead of us. Win or lose Sunday, this team is a work in progress.

 

[JoeKing]

Good post reminding us this is a long season. It won't be won or lost in October.

 

[Bobhaze]

Good post reminding us this is a long season. It won't be won or lost in October.

Exactly. I’ve seen some fans acting like if Dak misses this game and we somehow lose, we’re in bad shape for the NFC #1 seed. That’s just silly. This season is not even halfway through.

Reminder to all Cowboys fans- last year, Tampa Bay was 7-5 after 12 games and didn’t even win their division. Yet somehow won the SB.

 

[JoeKing]

Exactly. I’ve seen some fans acting like if Dak misses this game and we somehow lose, we’re in bad shape for the NFC #1 seed. That’s just silly. This season is not even halfway through.

Reminder to all Cowboys fans- last year, Tampa Bay was 7-5 after 12 games and didn’t even win their division. Yet somehow won the SB.

I'm so glad to see you convey this message. When I say it, I get ridiculed. Maybe you give it a degree of credibility.

 

[Aven8]

It’s a long season for sure. I never felt good about this game pre Dak injury. It’s a tough out on Halloween night on the road even if it were Detroit.

The top seed will play itself out. With only one HFA to give it’s going to be very difficult. Just win the division and get better.

 

[Diehardblues]

Cowboys have never missed the playoffs after starting 5-1. Never in 14 tries.

 

[Bobhaze]

Imagine panicking 40% into a season. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

 

[bayeslife]

Dallas only has to win 4 more games the rest next of the year to make the playoffs and that’s the only thing that matters.

This team fully healthy can beat any team- home or away.

 

[john van brocklin]

I know to some this is sacrilege, but our Cowboys are not going to finish 16-1. Even the best teams in the league don’t always perform to the best of their team’s ability every single week. Matchups are different; injuries happen; yada, yada. That’s just the way the NFL is. Maybe we win, Sunday, maybe we don’t.

But win or lose Sunday night, here are some things to keep in mind about this team’s overall narrative:

• This team is still developing. It’s not a finished product. There are great things about this team and not so great things. But it is still developing.
• This is a young team- especially on defense. Youth means they are still learning and developing. This team will have some hiccups and mistakes but will continue to develop.
• There’s a reason no team is crowned in October. We are less than 40% of the way into the season, and with 17 games, a lot of things can happen and change- and will.
  
• Adversity will measure this team- not destroy it. All good teams face adversity- it’s what separates the great from the average. Don’t panic when adversity strikes because it will be an opportunity to strengthen the team mentally. I don’t ever want to lose but- Sometimes a loss is a growth opportunity.

A 17 game season is a marathon, not a sprint. We have 60% of the season ahead of us. Win or lose Sunday, this team is a work in progress.

Good insight, please keep them coming

 

[ShortRound]

11 games still to play. All teams evolve, but we're on a great trajectory this year.

Need to stay healthy. Every game seems to be riddled with injuries.

 

[Bobhaze]

11 games still to play. All teams evolve, but we're on a great trajectory this year.

Need to stay healthy. Every game seems to be riddled with injuries.

And unless it’s something like a long term injury to Dak, injuries can be an opportunity to strengthen the team’s depth and psyche.

We’ve already seen that with the Collins-Steele situation. Or with the Gallup-Wilson situation. Adversity can strengthen your team. So far that’s been the case and it’s a huge reason we’re 5-1.

 

[ShortRound]

And unless it’s something like a long term injury to Dak, injuries can be an opportunity to strengthen the team’s depth and psyche.

We’ve already seen that with the Collins-Steele situation. Or with the Gallup-Wilson situation. Adversity can strengthen your team. So far that’s been the case and it’s a huge reason we’re 5-1.

Well, we are going to see Mike McCarthy's worth, as he navigates this weekend and see how he handles Dak. Hoping it's positive.

 

[MoistMayonnaise]

I know you try your hardest Bob, but we both know if the Cowboys lose Sunday this board will be a dumpster fire.

 

[CATCH17]

I know to some this is sacrilege, but our Cowboys are not going to finish 16-1. Even the best teams in the league don’t always perform to the best of their team’s ability every single week. Matchups are different; injuries happen; yada, yada. That’s just the way the NFL is. Maybe we win, Sunday, maybe we don’t.

But win or lose Sunday night, here are some things to keep in mind about this team’s overall narrative:

• This team is still developing. It’s not a finished product. There are great things about this team and not so great things. But it is still developing.
• This is a young team- especially on defense. Youth means they are still learning and developing. This team will have some hiccups and mistakes but will continue to develop.
• There’s a reason no team is crowned in October. We are less than 40% of the way into the season, and with 17 games, a lot of things can happen and change- and will.
  
• Adversity will measure this team- not destroy it. All good teams face adversity- it’s what separates the great from the average. Don’t panic when adversity strikes because it will be an opportunity to strengthen the team mentally. I don’t ever want to lose but- Sometimes a loss is a growth opportunity.

A 17 game season is a marathon, not a sprint. We have 60% of the season ahead of us. Win or lose Sunday, this team is a work in progress.

100%

A lot of these teams are topped out.. Dallas is gonna keep getting stronger as the season goes.

 

[maryquality]

I agree.....losing Sunday won't be the end of the world. As long as the team bounces back from it. This year's team seems to have a lot more confidence in themselves...whereas, in past seasons, the team seemed to just spiral downward after a loss.

 

[links18]

Exactly. I’ve seen some fans acting like if Dak misses this game and we somehow lose, we’re in bad shape for the NFC #1 seed. That’s just silly. This season is not even halfway through.

I mean every game usually ends up counting. How many times have we missed the playoffs by one game this past decade or so?

 

[75boyz]

I have become a big believer in the year to year narrative of every team.
Even.this early, I feel each game for this year's team is a crucial NFC seeding opportunity to take advantage of against all the other current division leaders.

Although I follow your 'its a long season and the team is still developing' logic I feel every game is equally important in order to earn that possible 1st rd playoff bye.

In previous years I felt differently because I believed in those old cliches called Windows of Success and future casting for more than the current year. I no longer believe in forecasting beyond the current year. I think opportunity to seize the year is upon this team right now.

jmo

 

[CowboyRoy]

I know to some this is sacrilege, but our Cowboys are not going to finish 16-1. Even the best teams in the league don’t always perform to the best of their team’s ability every single week. Matchups are different; injuries happen; yada, yada. That’s just the way the NFL is. Maybe we win, Sunday, maybe we don’t.

But win or lose Sunday night, here are some things to keep in mind about this team’s overall narrative:

• This team is still developing. It’s not a finished product. There are great things about this team and not so great things. But it is still developing.
• This is a young team- especially on defense. Youth means they are still learning and developing. This team will have some hiccups and mistakes but will continue to develop.
• There’s a reason no team is crowned in October. We are less than 40% of the way into the season, and with 17 games, a lot of things can happen and change- and will.
  
• Adversity will measure this team- not destroy it. All good teams face adversity- it’s what separates the great from the average. Don’t panic when adversity strikes because it will be an opportunity to strengthen the team mentally. I don’t ever want to lose but- Sometimes a loss is a growth opportunity.

A 17 game season is a marathon, not a sprint. We have 60% of the season ahead of us. Win or lose Sunday, this team is a work in progress.

This is nonsense. The bottom line is that we may never have a team THIS good in the future. Guys like Gregory, Kazee, Gallup, Shultz, Hooker, Kearse, Pollard, and even Cooper may or may not be here next year or in two years. THIS may ironically be the most talent we have at certain positions going forward.

THIS is the time to win it if we can. Health permitting. In my mind if the return of Lawrence and some of these defensive players can make our defense even better, there is no reason we cant realistically compete now for a championship.

I would definitely NOT categorize this team as a work in progress. The defense to some extent, thats about it.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

I'd like to see us win....and build this confidence. Make winning a habit.

But you are right....the team is different...we look like a football team! Energized....adept even.
And still a work in progress.

 

[75boyz]

This is nonsense. The bottom line is that we may never have a team THIS good in the future. Guys like Gregory, Kazee, Gallup, Shultz, Hooker, Kearse, Pollard, and even Cooper may or may not be here next year or in two years. THIS may ironically be the most talent we have at certain positions going forward.

THIS is the time to win it if we can. Health permitting. In my mind if the return of Lawrence and some of these defensive players can make our defense even better, there is no reason we cant realistically compete now for a championship.

I would definitely NOT categorize this team as a work in progress. The defense to some extent, thats about it.

Excellent post. Gotta say I agree with every word of it.