I know what you are saying but I think it's too early to know if we will be a playoff team and that's all..
Looking back and seeing we had winning records but only made the playoffs (like the Dalton era bengals) would indeed be depressing. I'm not convinced Mcdermott and Allen are Marvin and Dalton yet, they may be better than that.. we have to see. We are winning games when we are not playing consistently well. We could be worse than 8-3 but also be better than 8-3.
The eliteness you mention to win it all comes from the combination of head coach, QB (and team) . I think you could also add mcvay to that list if shanahan is on there, mcvay and shanahan didn't win with goff or garopolo. We have seen Allen and McDermott be mediocre at times, make mistakes, but we have seen a coach who is a good leader make the playoffs twice, beat good teams and have a winning record. We have seen Allen make high level plays under pressure and continually improve. We have come along way in recent years to be concerned that it won't be enough for the superbowl whilst sure we are at least in the playoffs. I would agree that Mcdermott and Allen are not in the 'elite' class of reid/mahomes, payton/brees, tomlin/rothlesburger but I think they are in the next group down at the moment. I think the coach and QB have done really well and am pleased, wouldn't want to swap them for any other pairing right now... My 'concern' would be that there is a mistake in the QB and coach which could cost us a big game.