Cowboys’ fanbase at crossroads of high expectations and just settling

As we wait for camp to finally open at the end of this month, we are left to scroll through Cowboys’ Twitter. And the Blue Star Twitteratti never fail to amuse.

The two sub factions – the Dak Pack and the Romo-sexuals (that was actually a thing 10 years ago) – have been busy.

For them regular season success is good enough, so it appears. Both have solid winning records in the regular season.

Romo finished with a 78-49 record with 34,183 yards, 248 touchdowns and 117 interceptions. In 10 seasons as the starter he had seven with winning records.

Prescott is 61-36 in seven seasons as the starter. He has 24,943 yards, 166 touchdowns and 65 interceptions. He has five winning records out of his seven played.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

Again, solid numbers. For the regular season. Where both men falter is when it matters the most: The playoffs.

Romo finished 2-4 overall with eight touchdowns and two interceptions on 1,316 yards passing. Prescott stands at 2-4 also, with 1,559 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Those are anything but solid numbers. And both players’ supporters have excuses at the ready.

Winners Win Big Games, Losers Make Excuses

It’s really that simple. What separates the great quarterbacks (Staubach, Aikman) from the good quarterbacks (Romo, Prescott) is winning the games that matter.

Neither Romo nor Prescott have done that. Prescott still has a chance to though.

For the Romo defenders they are quick to claim that “it’s the defense’s fault!” But was it really when it comes to his playoff record?

Did the defense fumble the snap in the 21-20 loss to Seattle in 2006?

The defense kept the Giants out of the endzone in their final three drives in the 2007 playoff loss.

Romo had three drives in that quarter and failed to produce a single point in a 21-17 loss. Was that the defense’s fault?

Was it the defense’s fault that Romo had three turnovers and failed to lead the Cowboys’ into the endzone in a 34-3 loss to the Vikings in 2009?

C Al Johnson consoles QB Tony Romo after a bobbled extra point in the playoffs at Seattle

Yes, the defense gave up 34 points – 14 in the last seven minutes. But they can only keep you in a game so long without some help from the offense.

Prescott’s postseason play has been slightly better overall. But his last two divisional round games against the 49ers have been poor at best.

An inability to get the offense moving plagued the Cowboys in 2021. Two costly interceptions doomed them back in January. Those aren’t on the defense either.

Settling For Early Playoff Exits

Yet, to hear from the fan base these days a 12-win season and a divisional round exit is good enough.

In fact, since the Cowboys last Super Bowl appearance – 26 seasons – the Cowboys have just nine double-digit winning seasons and 13 winning years overall.

During that span, they’ve made the playoffs just 11 times (42%), won their division just seven times (27%), and haven’t won a divisional round playoff game.

This is acceptable? Let’s compare these numbers to previous eras.

The Golden Ages

From 1966-1985 — 20 seasons — the Cowboys won 13 division titles (Capitol and East). They played in 11 NFL/NFC Championship games. They played in five Super Bowls and won two of them.

During those 20 years, they never had a losing season. They had 16 double-digit winning seasons – including runs of seven and six wins in a row.

And this was back when the seven of those seasons were just 14 games in length.

After a five-year downturn – which saw Jimmy Johnson replace Tom Landry as head coach – the Cowboys quickly returned to glory.

From 1991-1996, the Cowboys had six straight double-digit winning seasons and won five NFC East division titles.

They appeared in four straight NFC Championship games and won all three Super Bowls they played in.

So in a span of 31 seasons that’s 19 division titles, eight wins in 15 conference championship games and five wins in eight Super Bowls.

And you say everything is just fine with the last quarter-century? Or even the last decade of Cowboys’ football? Really?

What Type Of Fan Base Are We?

So here’s the question: Are we a franchise fan base that is going to start hanging up Division Champions and Wild Card Champions banners?

Or, are we a franchise fan base that has higher expectations? Are we a fan base that expects nothing less than playing for the NFC Championship and the Super Bowl?

We used to be the latter. From what I’ve seen via Cowboys’ Twitter, we seem to be the former.

As a fan of the team since 1969, I can say being the former is unacceptable. Players, coaches and front office needs to be held to account for sub-standard results.

What say you?

Which way, Cowboys’ fan?