FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 08/28, 12:17 AM
The NFL is a funny league, Peachy. No matter how stacked a team appears to be, there are no promises.

As a Cowboys fan, if you could Guarantee me 10 wins right now, I'll take in a heart beat and say see ya in the playoffs. There are too many variables in the NFL to expect -any- team to automatically win 11+ games.

If this time last year someone told you the defending NFC champion Chicago Bears would go from 13-3 in 2006 to 7-9 in 2007, you'd have likely laughed at them. That's what just a handful of injuries can to do a team.

As for the Cowboys. They went 13-3 a years ago after pulling out last second wins in two games they probably had no business winning (Detroit and Buffalo). You can't expect those kind of miracles to be common place.

Their #1 receiver is 35 years old. Their #2 receiver -should- be a #3. Their #3 receiver is going to miss the first month of the season, at least. They have no player that could actually be called a #4 receiver. Just a bunch of special teamers with -receiver tagged as their position.

Much tougher schedule than last year.

Dallas could actually be a BETTER team than they were last year and still win no more than 10 games.

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 08/28, 02:24 AM
I'm not sure what they predicted for the Eagles or Packers has to do with the Cowboys.

As already stated, last year they were literally seconds away from being 11-5 if not for two miracle finishes @Buffalo and @Detroit. In the same situation they lose those games 9 times out of 10.

I'm not sure if you understand how scheduling works, but every team in the division will face the same opponents with the exception of 2 games. Last year the Cowboys were playing a 3rd place schedule which gave them walkover games against the Rams and Carolina.

This year they are playing a 1st place schedule. Replace the gimme games with Seattle and Green Bay. By way of comparison, Philly is playing a last place schedule so they get Atlanta and Chicago, instead.

The Cowboys are indeed a talented team, but not a flawless one. Considering their problems, their schedule, and the division they play in anywhere from 9-7 to 11-5 is a reasonable prediction. Anymore than that is expecting too much. Any less is to dismiss the talent.

All of that being true, SI's prediction of 10-6 is fair.

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 08/28, 01:36 PM
"They should probably only lose 1 game on that stretch above. Which is ALMOST half the DAM* season"

Wish I was as confident as you are about that. Do you realize Dallas went just 4-3 against teams in their own division last year including the playoff game? Every team in the East beat them. They were 9-1 outside of their division. Are you expecting them to win 9 of 10 games outside of their NFCE brethren, again? I'm sure not.

Of the first 4 games you list, two of those teams beat them a year ago. The other two are tough teams and both games are played ON THE ROAD.

And it's pretty convenient of you to leave off their last 9 games which include 2 against the defending world champs, TB, SEA, PITT.

In fact, they play 4 games, fully 1/4th of their schedule, against teams that won their respective division a year ago. 12 of their 16 games are against teams that went at least .500 or better a year ago. The 4 sub .500 games are Cin, Bal, SF, and the Rams. I wouldn't even guarantee a sweep of those 4 games.

All things considered 10-6 is certainly a fair prediction by Sports Illustrated.