Arguments among Cowboys Nation is nothing new. Dallas fans will go back-and-forth about nearly anything. They argue which star player should be re-signed and which should be traded. They argue about which coaches are helping or hurting. They argue about the ineptitude of the front office, the realness of the salary cap, and the viability of aged players. Hell, they even argue about curtains.
What the Cowboys fanbase doesn’t seem to argue about is whether or not they want the team to win. Until now, of course.
Heading into Week 12 the Cowboys stood 3-7, their franchise quarterback was out for the season and their odds at making the playoffs stood less than one percent. The situation moved many fans to low key focus on next season. Dallas had an inside track on a top 10 draft pick and, given the sorry state of affairs, the potential to move into the top five.
The thinking was/is if the Cowboys can stink bad enough, they may be able to snag a blue-chip prospect in the draft. The only thing they’d have to do is just keep losing. The logic was sound even if the heart was disgraceful.
Well, if the Cowboys were supposed to tank this past Sunday, someone clearly forgot to tell the team. They put out possibly their best effort since the win in Pittsburgh, showing out on both sides of the ball, even if the occasional snafu had a way of popping up a few too many times.
The surprise win over the rival Commanders sparked argument after argument in many online communities. Those wanting to tank for a better draft pick were upset at the seemingly meaningless win.
ESPN’s recently updates playoff odds still had Dallas locked in as a ridiculous longshot (<1% chance) and top prospects like Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan no longer seemed like realistic options. Playoff hopes technically stayed alive, but at what cost?
On the other side of the argument fans were appalled at the notion of cheering against the Cowboys. The team plays to win and fans cheer to win. Anything to the contrary is unacceptable.
Obviously, players don’t tank. They’re playing for their jobs, incentives and reputations. They don’t care about draft picks. Coaches, even those likely on the way out, don’t tank. They’re coaching for their next job and coaching for pride. They couldn’t care less about the draft situation they leave the next head coach.
Fans are different. While players and coaches often bounce from team to team, fans are in it for the long haul. For better or for worse, they pass on their fandom to the next generation, making the situation far more complicated for them.
At the end of the day, it’s an argument about nothing. Fan support from JoeDog24 on X doesn’t impact the team’s ability to win one iota. The players and coaches will try to win regardless of what’s in the best long-term interests of the team.
What’s smart isn’t always what’s noble just like what’s noble isn’t always smart. This test in fan etiquette likely isn’t going away this season. In fact, Thursday’s Thanksgiving tilt against the 2-9 New York Giants who didn’t just bench, but released their starting QB, will be a huge moment in draft placing.
Another win will keep hope alive and it’s safe to say even once hope is mathematically eliminated, plenty of fans will still cheer for their beloved silver and blue.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
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