The latest in Cowboys news heading into the weekend.
3 keys to a Dallas Cowboys victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium – Abraham Nudelstejer, Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys will need to excel in these three areas in order to have a good chance of beating the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday.
Scoring first
The Cowboys will need to take an early lead. Dallas scored the first touchdown against the Browns and Giants and won both games. In a recent “Coach” podcast with Matt Patricia and Michael Lombardi, former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick praised the Cowboys’ ability to play with the lead. “Nobody’s better at playing ahead than Dallas is. They can control the ball offensively, and they can play from ahead on defense with their pass rush and their coverage players. That really plays into their hands.” In their four games, the Cowboys have scored an average of 14 points in the first half, ranking ninth in the league. Dallas is averaging 10.3 points in the second half, ranking 18th in the NFL. Fun fact: The Cowboys’ win-loss record when they score first is 564-415-6 all-time.
Kicking game
Sunday’s game will be a duel between two of the league’s best kickers. Brandon Aubrey has connected on 12 of 13 field-goal attempts for the Cowboys including a 65-yarder, the second-longest in NFL history. Aubrey is perfect on extra-point attempts (seven), totaling 43 points so far this season. Chris Boswell is having a stellar season as Pittsburgh’s kicker, with 11 of 12 field-goal attempts and six extra points for 39 points. The Steelers are second-best in the league in made field goals, posting an average of 2.8 per game. The Cowboys are first with an average of three field goals made per game. Don’t rule out a last-second heroic kick by Aubrey to give Dallas the victory.
Next man-up attitude
Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will have to find ways to compensate for the absences of Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. The linebacker and defensive end are the team’s defensive anchors, and both will be out due to injuries. Parsons’ injury (high ankle sprain) typically takes two to four weeks. Lawrence (Lisfranc injury to his foot) will be out even longer. “Those are two dynamic guys,” Zimmer told The Dallas Morning News’ David Moore. “Good leaders, good team guys. We’ll have to make some adjustments and see how it goes.” In a surprise Wednesday, it was revealed receiver Brandin Cooks will miss Sunday’s game with an infection in his knee that developed following a medical procedure. Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks and KaVontae Turpin will be looked upon to fill the void.
Will Dalvin Cook play in Week 5? Jerry Jones sheds light on plan – Josh Sanchez, Sports Illustrated
Jerry Jones told interviewers that Dalvin Cook will likely remain on the practice squad this week.
During his appearance on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM), Jones was asked about Cook making his debut. According to Jones, that “probably” won’t happen this week.
“When you look at a roster, you look at the entire roster and you have to adjust it for injuries or you have to adjust for availability. That’s a big thing and you have to adjust it for how you’re going to use them,” Jones said. “The other day, we didn’t run the ball much at all. You’ve got to evaluate how you’re going to look at any position, whether it’s his position, with receivers or what.”
Dallas is playing a dangerous game.
Cook has said he’s staying ready for when he gets the opportunity to see the field, but the longer he is stashed on the practice squad, the more opportunities teams around the league could poach him if they find themselves in need of a running back.
Hunter Luepke finding inspiration from fullback legends – Kyle Youmans, DallasCowboys.com
After a great start to the 2024 season, Hunter Luepke talked to the media about the fullbacks who inspired him.
“Back in college we used to have motivational videos that my position coach would pull up,” Luepke said. “Coach would pull up Mike Alstott pretty much every Friday, if not every other Friday before a game and just watch his film. So yeah, he’s a legend.”
Mike Alstott played all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He cemented his legacy as one of the most versatile and decorated fullbacks in history, tallying three All-Pro selections, six Pro Bowls, and a Super Bowl title.
But growing up in Spencer, Wisconsin, Luepke also had a front-row seat in watching his current head coach, carve out a role for John Kuhn at the fullback position, who also finished his career with multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods, winning two Super Bowls as well.
“Kuhn was one of my favorites growing up as well,” Luepke said. “Third and goal on the one-yard line. He comes in, and everybody’s just screaming ‘Kuuuuuuhn!’ That was awesome.”
Two role models that Luepke has been fortunate to see in person and learn from on tape to help further his game, and build expectations for himself, that can help this offense improve.
“Teams can use you in different scenarios,” Luepke said. “I’m not always just going to be lined up at the F position, straight fullback. That was my mindset rolling into it. Showing my versatility and be everywhere on the field that I possibly can be to make this team, and now to help this team win games.”
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott battling through slow start, limited carries in Dallas reunion – Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
Ezekiel Elliott is trying to make the most out of his limited opportunities.
On the season, Elliott has just 81 yards on 24 carries with one touchdown. Last week, Elliott rushed for a season-high 40 yards on a season-high 10 carries in a win over the Giants.
He’s played in just 32% of the offensive snaps for the Cowboys. That’s 85 total.
“It’s something we got to work through,” he said after Thursday’s practice. “The last couple of games have been tough. I think like before the two minute (mark) the last game we had 22 plays. It hasn’t been very fluid. We’ve gotten behind, hopefully it will get better.”
In the offseason, the Cowboys signed Elliott to a one-year deal over obtaining a more expensive free agent running back like Derrick Henry, who currently leads the league with 480 rushing yards.
Elliott has gotten limited snaps the last three weeks as Rico Dowdle and fullback Hunter Luepke get the bulk of them.
“I’m sure it’s frustrating,” quarterback Dak Prescott said of his close friend. “Damn sure frustrating. He’s a team-first guy.”
It’s perplexing why Elliott was given first-team snaps in training camp with the objective of being fresh for the season, only to see, once the regular season started, limited opportunities.
When asked about this, Elliott didn’t answer.
In a follow up to being patient he said, “Yeah, you just got to make the most of the opportunities I’m given and take it from there.”
Cowboys’ Stephen Jones Dismisses Davante Adams Trade Rumors, Cites Salary Cap – Andrew Peters, Bleacher Report
Stephen Jones squashed rumors that the Cowboys were in the hunt for a possible trade to acquire Davante Adams from the Raiders.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones dismissed rumors that Dallas would be in the mix for Adams, citing the team’s recent deal with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and other cap space challenges.
“No. I don’t think there is anything to that,” Jones said on San Antonio’s Sports Star (h/t The Athletic’s Jon Machota). “We just signed our No. 1 guy (CeeDee Lamb) and (Adams) is a No. 1 receiver. When you have the challenges cap-wise that we have, that would be a long putt for us.”
The Cowboys were among the teams listed in early reports of possible suitors for Adams, with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini noting that Dallas had already checked in with the Raiders on Wednesday morning.
Jones’ comments on Thursday seem to indicate the Cowboys have since decided not to pursue Adams.
Dallas Cowboys offensive line preparing for ‘huge challenge’ in Steelers’ T.J. Watt – R.J. Coyle, Dallas Morning News
The young offensive line for the Cowboys will have their hands full trying to contain T.J. Watt this weekend.
“Obviously, T.J. Watt just jumps off the tape,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said on Thursday. “We’re gonna have to play at a very high level and we’re gonna have to be extremely efficient, because they do a good job of keeping the point totals low.”
McCarthy says Watt primarily plays on the right side, meaning Cowboys right tackle Terence Steele will be the first line of defense against Watt. But it’ll take a village to stop the younger brother of fellow All-Pro pass rusher J.J. Watt.
“The guy plays extremely hard, and he’s an all-day guy,” right guard and veteran of the Cowboys’ line Zack Martin said. “You’re not gonna get any freebies. He’s got a couple moves that are pretty unique, you can tell everyone on their D-line is trying to emulate, because they’re good.”
Watt is capable of disrupting the run game as much as he is the pass game, something that doesn’t bode very well for the Cowboys and their NFL-worst 75.3 rushing yards per game.
“It’s just part of the everyday challenge, and it’ll be a huge challenge Sunday night,” McCarthy said. “Their edge pressure, with a premiere player inside … This is a challenge for any protection scheme.”
