Cowboys Control Playoff Destiny Too
Posted Nov 19th 2006 8:15PM by Lary Bump
Filed under: Cowboys, NFC East
The Cowboys are in the enviable position of controlling their own destiny to get into the playoffs, and to move up through the NFC postseason hierarchy.
It's easy to see that Dallas is one of the conference's top six teams, those that would qualify for the playoffs.
The Cowboys' upset victory over the Colts today gave Dallas a 6-4 record, and just six NFC teams have records as good as 6-4. So it's also easy to see that Dallas would be in the playoffs if it wins each of its remaining six games. (That's what controlling your own destiny means.)
Because the Cowboys will be playing New Orleans, one of the three other 6-4 teams, a win in every game would mean that Dallas would have a better record than the Saints even if they won their other five games.
The Cowboys also will play the Giants, who are 6-3 pending Monday night's game at Jacksonville. So if New York loses tomorrow and again at home against Dallas Dec. 3, that would give the 'Boys the upper hand in the NFC East race. Here's how the NFC teams currently line up for the playoffs:
1. Chicago (9-1 and first in the NFC North) has the best record, and would have a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
2. Giants (6-3 and first in the NFC East), which would be good enough for a first-round bye and all but the NFC Championship Game at home.
3. Seattle (6-4 and first in the NFC West). That record would be good for hosting the second-best wild card in the first round. The Seahawks currently would win a tiebreaker with NFC South leader Carolina because of a better record in conference games (5-3 to 4-3).
4. Carolina (6-4 and first in the NFC South). That means the Panthers would host the wild card with the better record in the first round. They would win a tiebreaker from New Orleans for the division title because of a head-to-head victory over the Saints.
5. New Orleans (6-4). The Saints currently would receive the higher wild card seed because their NFC record is better than the Cowboys' (5-1 to 3-3).
6. Dallas (6-4). Moving up the list would keep the Cowboys from being assured of playing all their playoff games on the road.
Beyond the raw numbers, things look good for the Cowboys, especially in the NFC East race. They have lost Greg Ellis for the remainder of this season, but that's nothing compared to the season-ending losses the Giants (LaVar Arrington, Amani Toomer) and Eagles (Donovan McNabb) have suffered.
In other words, this is a good time to be a Cowboy.
Bring on the Turkeys, I mean the Buccaneers, for Thanksgiving.
Filed under: Cowboys, NFC East
The Cowboys are in the enviable position of controlling their own destiny to get into the playoffs, and to move up through the NFC postseason hierarchy.
It's easy to see that Dallas is one of the conference's top six teams, those that would qualify for the playoffs.
The Cowboys' upset victory over the Colts today gave Dallas a 6-4 record, and just six NFC teams have records as good as 6-4. So it's also easy to see that Dallas would be in the playoffs if it wins each of its remaining six games. (That's what controlling your own destiny means.)
Because the Cowboys will be playing New Orleans, one of the three other 6-4 teams, a win in every game would mean that Dallas would have a better record than the Saints even if they won their other five games.
The Cowboys also will play the Giants, who are 6-3 pending Monday night's game at Jacksonville. So if New York loses tomorrow and again at home against Dallas Dec. 3, that would give the 'Boys the upper hand in the NFC East race. Here's how the NFC teams currently line up for the playoffs:
1. Chicago (9-1 and first in the NFC North) has the best record, and would have a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
2. Giants (6-3 and first in the NFC East), which would be good enough for a first-round bye and all but the NFC Championship Game at home.
3. Seattle (6-4 and first in the NFC West). That record would be good for hosting the second-best wild card in the first round. The Seahawks currently would win a tiebreaker with NFC South leader Carolina because of a better record in conference games (5-3 to 4-3).
4. Carolina (6-4 and first in the NFC South). That means the Panthers would host the wild card with the better record in the first round. They would win a tiebreaker from New Orleans for the division title because of a head-to-head victory over the Saints.
5. New Orleans (6-4). The Saints currently would receive the higher wild card seed because their NFC record is better than the Cowboys' (5-1 to 3-3).
6. Dallas (6-4). Moving up the list would keep the Cowboys from being assured of playing all their playoff games on the road.
Beyond the raw numbers, things look good for the Cowboys, especially in the NFC East race. They have lost Greg Ellis for the remainder of this season, but that's nothing compared to the season-ending losses the Giants (LaVar Arrington, Amani Toomer) and Eagles (Donovan McNabb) have suffered.
In other words, this is a good time to be a Cowboy.
Bring on the Turkeys, I mean the Buccaneers, for Thanksgiving.
posted by The Gryphon at 11:01 PM
<< Home