FRISCO – Cue Jim Mora: “Playoffs?! Don’t talk about … playoffs?! You kiddin’ me? Playoffs?! I just hope we can win a game!” The infamous rant by the then-Indianapolis Colts coach came in 2001. But in 2024, season ticket-holder fans of the Dallas Cowboys must have been thinking the same thing when they opened their email Friday morning. Because the most loyal and faithful customers were being asked to sidestep reality and squint into the future – and dig into their pockets – that includes a massive turnaround by their 3-4 team.

Playoff. Invoice. That’s right, Cowboys’ season-ticket holders on Nov. 1 are being asked to pledge – and pay – for tickets to potential playoff games that won’t be played for two months. Or, considering the direction of the team, likely not at all this season. The (cocky?) Cowboys have won 12 games the last three seasons and made the postseason all three times. But at 3-4 – including 0-3 at home – and four upcoming games against opponents that made the playoffs last season or that are leading their division this year, the odds are stacked against a repeat. Says the missive from the team:

With 2024 regular season games remaining, playoff teams and sites have not yet been determined, and they will likely not be set until the final game of the season. All clubs have been directed by the National Football League to send playoff information to our 2024 Season Ticket Holders. Related: 2 Issues As Dak Not Ranked ‘Top-10 QB’ By Micah and Trevon

Deadline to register for Pay As We Play or Pay in Full: Monday, December 2, 2024. We acknowledge that Cowboys Nation is at times irrationally optimistic, but here’s betting that more than a few that received this letter wait a couple weeks before sending in their hard-earned cash.