Losing is losing. It don't matter if Denver wins the Super bowl by 1 point or by 20 points. They still win it. Equally, if the Panthers lose by 1 point they still lose. Get it?
You're looking at each state race in isolation. But each individual state result is meaningless in isolation, save for some possible effects on momentum and $$$$ contributions.
After last night, the delegate count is Cruz(8), Trump(7), Rubio(7). If the Broncos are leading the Panthers 8 to 7 at the end of the first quarter, they have not "won" anything but a point lead and possibly some great momentum going forward.
Iowa was just Game 1 of a 50-game match, with Cruz now leading by one point. Nobody is anywhere near winning anything yet.
More than 1200 delegates needed to nominate, get it?