That doesn't matter. We were 5-11 in 2003 and hardly "relevant", but we still played the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football at Reliant in 2004.
That was an espn game. Back then, MNF still got the marquee matchup. Now SNF has replaced MNF as getting the best game. MNF usually has the third or fourth best game of any given week.
Yet they STILL have the Cowboys at least twice in the next season after they are 8-8... so what? Nothing changes, man.
Yes. The Cowboys get more national TV games regardless of their record... because they have a following and they get ratings. Both them and the Broncos have around 11 appearances each this year, considering Sunday national 3pm game of the week, SNF, and MNF games.
Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
This is Indy's. Home: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Washington, New England Away: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Dallas, NY Giants, Denver They get NE and DEN as a reward for winning the division we get BUF and OAK as a reward for finishing dead last.
So the Texans tanked this season to get the #1 overall pick and get a less difficult schedule for next year. They just need to take advantage of the opportunity.
With a healthy foster and decent QB let's say Terry Bridgewater we go 10 and 6 easily with a split against the colts.