"6 more games" or "Are we really the worst 7-3 team?"

by HEpennypacker on Nov 25, 2009 8:58 AM CST

Raiders Giants Chargers Saints Skins Eagles

That's what's left folks. 4-2 in this stretch gets us in the playoffs, and 3-3 could also, if chips fall correctly. Definitly do-able. I'm feeling now like we are going to beat the Saints, kind of like we were the first to beat the colts a couple years ago. We should beat the Raiders, and the boys better have some bad blood built up for when we see the skins again.

So, the question becomes (based on the non-scientific assumption above) Can we beat either the Chargers, Giants, or Eagles? At this point, the Chargers are surging. And, since they are in the AFC, I don't mind losing that game. So then basically, we need to win 2 out of 3 of the remaining division games. I think this can be done.

For 7-3 teams, the Bengals, Chargers, Cards and Pats are all ranked ahead of us (I'm unfortunately using ESPN). What do you all think of this?

The Bengals just lost to the Raiders, so if we beat them tomorrow, we have to leap frog the Bengals, right?

A head to head with the Chargers will answer that question.

The Cardinals, in my opinion are not better than us, especially w/o Warner.

The Pats may, in fact, be better than us right now. Hopefully that will change come SB time.

I guess the questions I pose then are the following:

A) Can we go 4-2 down the tough stretch ahead?

B) can we go at least 2-1 for our remaining divisional games, leaving us 4-2 or 5-1 in the division this year?

C) Where do you see us among the 7-3 teams?

Bonus) Did anyone, at the beginning of the season, predict that we'd be in a spot where the media is saying that our defense looks like Super Bowl quality, while our offense can only score once per game? Aren't we supposed to be a potent offense with a Three Headed Monster in the backfield, a near top tier QB, and some young and promising receivers? Aren't our corners supposed to liabilities?

Did I miss something? Did I fall asleep?

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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Comments

To go 4-2 in the division, the best setup would be to avoid a sweep by the gints, and have a sweep of the iggles or

deadskins. I would like dallas to beat the giants (helps with a possible tie-breaker), sweep the iggles (tie-break advantage over the gints) and if we did drop one, the redskins may be the only acceptable game to drop. The scenarios are affected if the gints and iggles pull even with dallas; which could happen with dallas having two losses on the season. If dallas had to pick a game to lose the san diego game would be the ideal one because it is out of conference and would not have as big an impact on tie-breakers as a loss to an NFC opponent. I am hoping that denver can pull one good game out of its butt and take down the gints on a short week.

Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!

by cowboy78 on Nov 25, 2009 9:32 AM CST reply actions

I actually find the ESPN rankings to be fair.

They are one of the few that don’t have us behind teams that not only have worse records than us, but also lost this past weekend. Many of the rankings have us behind the Steelers who have lost 2 straight and have a worse record, the Broncos, who have lost 4 straight and have a worse record than us, the Ravens, who have lost 5 of 7 and have a worse record than us, and the Eagles who have lost 2 of 3, have a worse record than us, and lost to us head to head in the past 3 weeks.

The Bengals did lose to the Raiders, but they also have beaten the Steelers twice, the Ravens twice, and the Packers once. All of those teams are in the top half of the rankings, too, so those are pretty quality wins, rankings wise.

The Patriots will always be as highly rated as their record allows, because of Belichick and Brady. That’s just the way it is, whether they deserve it or not. That said, they have played well this year.

The Cardinals are defending NFC champions, firmly in control of their division, have won 6 of 7, and 3 straight. The Warner injury is obviously a huge concern for them, but it remains to be seen how that plays out.

The Chargers have won 5 straight, including the last 3 against teams with winning records, 2 of whom beat us earlier in the season.

Dallas’ biggest problem is lack of quality wins, as we have played 4 teams that currently have a winning record and lost to 3 of them. Dallas has to come out of December and January with a winning record, not just to earn respect, but to demonstrate that they can consistently beat other good teams.

I don’t have a problem with teams with the same record being rated higher than us, as the Cowboys have looked rough the past 2 weeks, and have only 1 quality win. If we had beaten the Packers, we would likely be rated 4th or 5th.

by Baked Potato Soup on Nov 25, 2009 9:43 AM CST reply actions

In general, don't you find the rankings kinda irrelevant?

I have not looked up a single ranking this year, or any “expert” picks (other than this site, because I like coming here). I just find them kind of pointless, and debating them is even more pointless.

Now having said that I do not have any issue with anyone who chooses to discuss them, but I still find them pointless.

Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!

by cowboy78 on Nov 25, 2009 9:58 AM CST up reply actions

The NFL is not the BSC (intentional)

Opinions don’t matter one iota.

There’s no such thing as a “quality” win.

As BP used to say, ‘just get into the tournament and then we’ll see’. The past two NFC champions proved this. The Iggles prove it every year.

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. - Thomas Jefferson

by Fighter15 on Nov 25, 2009 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

BSC--LMFAO

Ich bin ein Berliner--JFK

by HudBaby on Nov 25, 2009 12:40 PM CST up reply actions

Correct, these rankings aren't used to decide anything.

But they are a useful analysis tool. Personally, I try to read as much NFL data as I can. Following the opinions and insights of knowledgeable people is helpful in becoming more knowledgeable myself. I can read these opinions, weigh the sources, weigh the evidence, weight the logic and rationale, and then formulate my own opinions.

Looking at power rankings is no different than reading an opinion article about a team, or even a breakdown by Raf. It’s up to you how much stock you put into what they are saying, and what you do with that information. Along with your own opinion and everyone on this site’s opinion, you can see what “informed” reporters, bloggers, statisticians, ex-players, ex-coaches, and other analysts think of this team and other teams.

by Baked Potato Soup on Nov 25, 2009 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

To an extent, yes, but then so is everything discussed on this blog.

For example, what you or I think of the Cowboys, how they played, etc., is completely irrelevant, as we are not coaches or owners. Well, I’m not, I guess that you could be.

That said, the rankings are a good barometer of how teams are doing from people that are generally recognized as trained eyes, if not experts. They can be used as validation of what you are seeing as fan, or insight that you may not have had. How much stock you put into those rankings is up to you, much like how much stock you put into any analyst’s opinion is up to you. They are just another form of analysis.

by Baked Potato Soup on Nov 25, 2009 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

Yes we are.

But we can get better…

"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."

- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by 5Blings on Nov 25, 2009 11:07 AM CST reply actions

My exact feelings.

If the offense shows some continuity I think we easily move up the ranks.

I think we have the best D out of 7-3 teams.

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account

by Wmillion on Nov 25, 2009 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

Playoffs are kinda relative

you need to do better than the Eagles and Giants (I also assume we’ll send one team from our division as a WC, but…)

The only thing you really have to consider is can you best the Eagles and Giants in the next 6 weeks:

Giants: at Denver, Dallas, Philly, at Wash, Carolina, at Minnesota

I expect our division to split for the most part (without taking injuries into account)…Giants will have trouble with Denver, but I think they win it. I think you guys beat them to split, I think they beat us to split, they’ll probably sweep Washington, beat Carolina, and the Minnesota game depends on whether or not Minnesota is still fighting for home field advantage. If the Saints fall off, and the Vikings secure, they’ll likely rest the stars, and Giants win…realistically, Giants go 4-2…to finish 10-6

Eagles: Washington, at Atlanta, at Giants, San Fran, Denver, at Dallas

The Eagles have to figure out which team is going to step onto the field. I can see us winning 4 of these 6 and going 10-6; and I could see us winning 2 and going 8-8. I think we beat Washington for a sweep, I think Atlanta beats us in the dome, Giants beat us to split, and then because we always get hot at the end, I think it’s not unrealistic to see us beating San Fran, Denver at home, and beating you guys to split games. I think we finish 10-6

Your remaining schedule is tougher than both the Giants and the Eagles, but you have a one game lead; so that gives you some cushion. I could easily see all three of us finishing 10-6

"What did it feel like? That collision, I didn't feel nothing, because he was pretty much defenseless. It was like running through a cardboard box. Seriously. Cardboard box."- Sheldon Brown on his pounding of Reggie Bush in the '06 Playoffs

by jalarsen1 on Nov 25, 2009 11:43 AM CST reply actions

Dang, now I had to go and read up on the tie-break rules

TO BREAK A TIE WITHIN A DIVISION

If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages, the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined.

   1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
   2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
   3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
   4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
   5. Strength of victory.
   6. Strength of schedule.
   7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
   8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
   9. Best net points in common games.
  10. Best net points in all games.
  11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
  12. Coin toss

by One.Cool.Customer on Nov 25, 2009 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

Still waiting

For the day when a coin toss decides which team goes to the Playoffs and which goes home. Personally, I think the final step should not be coin toss, but some sort of skills competition. Like who can make the most FGs in a row or something. Or maybe College Overtime (take turns starting from like the opponent’s 20, see who scores more).

by Key19 on Nov 26, 2009 11:51 AM CST up reply actions

Have every player on both teams run a 40 time

and the team with the lowest time wins.

All I know is that the Raiders would be pretty good in that scenario.

If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.

by Cowboyfan729 on Nov 27, 2009 12:24 AM CST up reply actions

The problem here is the SOMEONE...

Either the Giants, Cowboys, or Eagles is going to LOSE to the Redskins. Mark my words. There is no way the ’skins will go 0-6 in the division, that sort of thing just does not happen in the NFC East. So whichever team it is that happens to drop that one will be the odd man out in the division race and probably the playoffs.

The 2009 Dallas Cowboys: Talk to me in December.
The NFC East has won 11 Super Bowls; oddly none of those have come courtesy of the Eagles.

by gee-roj on Nov 25, 2009 8:27 PM CST up reply actions

that's a good point

by jalarsen1 on Nov 25, 2009 10:20 PM CST up reply actions

I see all East teams except the Redskings in the playoffs

Consider this:
NFC North: Minnesota (9-1), Green Bay (6-4), Chicago (4-6), Detroit (OUT)
NFC West: Arizona (7-3), San Francisco (4-6), Seattle & St. Louis (OUT)
NFC South: New Orleans (10-0), Atlanta (5-5), Carolina (4-6), Tampa Bay (OUT)
NFC East: Dallas (7-3), Philadelphia (6-4), New York (6-4), Washington (OUT)

Really, it’s Green Bay, Atlanta and the 2 teams from the East that are not division winners in the battle for the 2 Wild Card spots. Carolina, San Francisco and Chicago are near dead with 6 losses already. Atlanta is just one game back, but one game behind 3 teams is a bad spot to be. They may catch one but they have to get on a winning streak soon. That leaves the Packers battling with the 2 non-winners of the East. I think the Packer’s are toast with the injuries from Sunday, thus its really 2 wild card spots for the East to lose.

by Kansas Cowboy on Nov 25, 2009 9:00 PM CST reply actions

Maybe Redsqueens

sorry for the typo in my header

by Kansas Cowboy on Nov 25, 2009 9:00 PM CST up reply actions

we're the best 7-3 team, no doubt

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Nov 26, 2009 8:22 AM CST reply actions

I don't have a problem with Cowboys being the lowest ranked 7-3 team...

I’d honestly rather have them prove the "experts" wrong on the field.

The 2009 Dallas Cowboys: Talk to me in December.
The NFC East has won 11 Super Bowls; oddly none of those have come courtesy of the Eagles.

by gee-roj on Nov 26, 2009 9:14 AM CST reply actions

We are

Better than Cincy and San Diego.

San Diego has no run defense, and I’d say we’re a better running team than those teams they’ve faced so far.

Eagles
Giants
Denver
Oakland
Kansas City

I think we beat San Diego.

by Key19 on Nov 26, 2009 11:34 AM CST reply actions

Not the way they are scoring...

but I’ll be there and I’m 1-0 at Cowboys Stadium wearing the Romo jersey.

"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."

- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by 5Blings on Nov 26, 2009 12:52 PM CST up reply actions

still can't believe you own a Romo jersey

you’re one of a kind bling, I’ll give you that.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Nov 27, 2009 9:16 AM CST up reply actions

Our defense

Has shown that they can play very well. I think we give up 17 to the Chargers (who have a very good offense, hence 17 points, which is nothing to be ashamed of) and the offense does enough to get the win.

by Key19 on Nov 27, 2009 9:24 PM CST up reply actions