Amazing what a 4-0 start will do to my attitude. On two different occasions, I have suggested on the forums that we just enjoy the games right now and not worry so much about what happens in January.
The question in the forum was whether the Cowboys have a shot at the Super Bowl. Here is my first response:
I made the mistake last year of thinking that history would repeat itself. More specifically, I thought it could be 1991 all over again, with a great finish (and an 11-5 record), division title, nice run in the playoffs, etc. It all led to a massive disappointment.
This year, I am mostly just having fun watching this team play. I’m not even going to bother with a prediction about our final record or how far we go in the playoffs. If we can win the division and win a playoff game, then I will be satisfied. If we do better, then great, but until we get to the point where we have a chance to go deep in the playoffs, this is all just fun to watch. And Dallas has not been a team to enjoy watching for a long time.
My second comment:
Consider this:
In 2004, the Steelers went 15-1. Many thought that they would knock off New England in the playoffs, but they failed. The following year, there were fewer expections due to an 11-5 season and a sixth seed in the AFC playoffs. But with less pressure on the team due to fewer expectations, Pittsburgh rallied in the playoffs and went on to win the Super Bowl.
In 2005, the Colts were the team to beat in the AFC when they went 14-2 after a 13-0 start. They went into the playoffs a little bit down, and the Steelers knocked them off. In 2006, the expectations were less because there were questions about whether the Colts could win the big one. But with a little bit less pressure on them, the Colts rallied and indeed won the Super Bowl.
To be sure, the Cowboys have not played to the level of either the Steelers or the Colts just yet, but here is something I see:
In 2006, expectations were that Dallas would challenge for the NFC, due largely to the fact that it was Parcells’ fourth season and that he had done so well in the fourth seasons of his previous stops. However, the Cowboys struggled with consistency, fell apart down the stretch, and lost in the playoffs. This year, the expectations are less because there are questions about whether the Cowboys have the players in place, the proper systems in place, or the proper motivation to challenge for the NFC. But the team is off to a 4-0 start and– much like the 2005 Steelers and 2006 Colts– seems to be playing with a little bit less pressure.
What I would not want to see is the team feeling pressure due to heightened expectations from this start. This could be a magical season, but I say let’s enjoy one game at a time before we start worrying too much about January.
With this in mind, here are some very enjoyable answers from last week’s questions.
1. Who will lead the Cowboys in rushing against the Rams?
Results:
Julius Jones (29.6% / 24 votes)
Marion Barber (65.4% / 53 votes)
Tyson Thompson (2.5% / 2 votes)
Tony Romo (2.5% / 2 votes)
Instead, Jones led the team with 52 yards. Barber had 50, while Thompson had 47.
Dallas has shown that it will attack in the air, even when the game is starting to get out of reach. By the time that the Cowboys started to grind it out to kill the clock, the backups were in.
2. Can the Cowboys continue to win the turnover battle?
Results:
Yes (85% / 34 votes)
No (0% / 0 votes)
Are you seriously asking me this? (15% / 6 votes)
As it turns out, both teams ended with one turnover.
3. Will the defense continue to improve?
Results:
Yes, thanks to a bad Rams team. (43.2% / 16 votes)
Yes, thanks to DeMarcus Ware. (24.3% / 9 votes)
Yes, thanks to Terence Newman. (27% / 10 votes)
No, because I am a pessimist. (5.4% / 2 votes)
I think it was a combination of the first three, but Ware and Newman were both important. Newman filled in for an injured Anthony Henry and played well. Ware recorded a sack and put pressure on the Rams all day. Let’s be honest, though: the Rams are pretty bad right now.
4. Are the penalties cause for concern?
Results:
Yes. We need more discipline. (46.7% / 14 votes)
Yes. Flozell Adams needs to improve. (30% / 9 votes)
No. We’ll be fine even with them. (3.3% / 1 votes)
No. We will get better. (20% / 6 votes)
Dallas was much better this week, with only two penalties for 10 yards.
5. Will Dallas Win?
Results:
Yes. A bold win, in fact. (52.4% / 22 votes)
Yes. But let’s not make guarantees. (9.5% / 4 votes)
Yes. Dallas is just a better team. (28.6% / 12 votes)
This post is bad luck, you idiot. (7.1% / 3 votes)
No.Dallas suffers a letdown. (2.4% / 1 votes)
I honestly didn’t think the Cowboys could have a bold win, given that the Rams have so many injuries. But the way in which Dallas tore the Rams apart made a pretty bold statement. Dallas now appears as the third best team in the league in several polls, right behind New England and Indianapolis.
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And just a reminder, in Parental Advisory form:
Great post.
I’m also worried about a let down against the bills. One good thing going is that we have a lot of players that want to perform well (show off) on national television. Also, it is somewhat of a grudge game for Wade because he used to coach there.
On a worse note, the Monday night game gives us less time to heal and prepare for the Patriots.
I am right with you on your attitude. Let’s just “enjoy the journey”, as Tony Romo would say. I was just thinking last night about those exact teams you mentioned, plus the ‘98 Vikings. All the regular season does is get you to the playoffs, you can have the best record in the league and it doesn’t guarantee anything. I say let’s worry about a division crown before worrying about the Super Bowl. Like you said, I also would be just fine with a division crown and a playoff win. If they can manage that, then it will be time to start thinking about Super Bowls. 4-0 is a great start to winning the division, but there is still a lot of football to be played.