Our writers provide their opinions on the latest Dallas Cowboys news during our weekly review on the Roundtable.
Every week, we gather the latest news about the Dallas Cowboys and seek our writer’s perspective on each headline. Welcome back to the roundtable. This week we have Brian Martin, Tom Ryle, and RJ Ochoa, David Howman and Jess Haynie.
After watching the defense put on a show against Tampa Bay, and some serious talent ready to walk out the door next season, which one defensive player would you want to see back next year between Osa Odighizuwa, Jourdan Lewis and Eric Kendricks?
The Dallas Cowboys defense put Baker Mayfield under extreme pressure which resulted in him throwing one interception which was an incredible play by Jourdan Lewis. Osa Odighizuwa was a menace all game and was one of the best defenders rushing the passer and Eric Kendricks is now one of the top tacklers in the league this year.
Jess: You have to go with Odighizuwa. He’ll be 27 when next season starts compared to 30 and 33 for Lewis and Kendricks. He’s also your only clear asset at DT while Dallas has other options at CB and LB. That’s not to say I don’t want either of the other veterans back, especially Lewis given the year he’s had, but if you can only have one it’s got to be the only guy still in his prime and at the weakest position.
Brian: I would personally try to prioritize bringing back Odighizuwa if it’s financially feasible, but I also think Jourdan Lewis should be a top priority as well and one that would be much more cost-effective. Considering the Cowboys bargain shopping mentality for free agency, I’d really like to see them bring back Lewis considering how many injuries they’ve had at the CB position this year and the last few years. Corners are a little more difficult to find than defensive tackles.
Howman: I’m going to be the contrarian and say Chauncey Golston. The rapid ascension he’s had this year after finally moving back to his natural position playing on the edge is just a hint of what he can be. But since Golston wasn’t part of your actual question, I’ll say Jourdan Lewis. This defense needs some guys with that dawg in them, and Sunday night was just the latest reminder that Lewis has always been that kind of guy.
Tom: I think Jess hit it on the head. Odighizuwa should have more seasons ahead than the others. He’s my preference, but I wouldn’t be surprised if both he and Lewis can command more money than the organization wants to pay. Kendricks may be the most likely to return because of that.
RJ: If I have to pick one of those then I think the answer is Osa just because the team has shown a dramatic inability to find proper defensive tackles. It would pain me greatly to watch Jourdan leave, though.
How would you describe the offensive performance last week against Tampa Bay?
The offense without CeeDee Lamb looked a little clunky at times and it’s clear the entire Cowboys offense funnels through him. Cooper Rush finished with 292 passing yards and one touchdown, but Rico Dowdle ended the day with only 23 rushing yards and averaged 1.3 yards per carry.
Jess: The same as I’d describe it during this entire 4-1 stretch; enough to get by. Even the best teams that Dallas has played against recently, Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, and Washington, have all had below-average to bad defenses. Last night the Bucs committed to shutting down Rico Dowdle and paid for it through the air. In other weeks, we’ve seen the reverse. This week against the Eagles features a defense that can stop you both ways in the same game.
Brian: Competitive. That’s honestly the best and probably most fitting way to describe the Dallas Cowboys offense as of late, especially against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cooper Rush has been as advertised. He’s once again keeping the team afloat with Dak Prescott sidelined and doing it with a patchworked offensive line that has been surprisingly playing better than expected.
Howman: Brilliant. Mike McCarthy knew he couldn’t lean on Rico Dowdle as he had the past three weeks, and sure enough they came out throwing a ton. But Cooper Rush understood the assignment and got the ball out quick on concepts designed to beat the Buccaneers’ Cover 1 and Cover 3 calls. They still ran the ball to keep Tampa Bay honest, but also understood that wouldn’t be their money maker. Just a brilliant game plan from McCarthy and near perfect execution from the players.
Tom: Gutty. Rush showed a clear understanding of what he could and couldn’t do, the down-roster receivers stepped up, and the O line and running backs held up in pass protection. But the grittiest of all was CeeDee Lamb. He really should shut it down for his own sake, but he just can’t. I wish he would, because he’s shown us what he’s really worth.
RJ: I’d say it was just enough. Clearly the Cowboys wanted to attack early and build a lead that could survive a potential rally. They were right in that sense I suppose!
The rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles is set for this weekend. Can this defense do it again and stop the Eagles’ attack? Also, give one hot take you have about the game.
This week the Dallas Cowboys take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a division rematch. The last game between these two teams in Week 10 saw the Eagles win handily with a 34-6 score inside AT&T stadium. The kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. in Lincoln Financial Field with the Eagles favored to win at -9.5. Historically between the two teams Dallas leads the series 74-57 and in the last ten meetings both teams have won five games each.
Jess: I’d have felt better before the Commanders upset them last week. Philly has a chance to win the NFC East in front of their home crowd this Sunday. The Eagles are built perfectly to exploit Dallas’ weaknesses in run defense and make them pay for aggression. It’s just a bad matchup for us right now, and they’ll be plenty motivated. As for a hot take, give me a DaRon Bland pick-six. He’s due.
Brian: The Dallas Cowboys defense has been playing really well as of late, but against less talented teams. Philadelphia presents several problematic matchups that favor them in this Week 17 meeting. From Dallas’ run defense to their banged up secondary, it’s hard to imagine them being able to contain the Eagles high-powered offense. I do however think their defense continues to create turnovers, making this game a close one.
Howman: I’ll start with my hot take: everyone is saying Dallas has a legit shot to win if Kenny Pickett has to play again, but I think the odds are better if Jalen Hurts ends up playing. Hurts has been terrible under pressure this year, with a dismal -0.39 EPA/dropback when pressured. That’s behind the likes of Bryce Young, Sam Darnold, and Aaron Rodgers, and just barely ahead of Kirk Cousins, who just got benched. Stopping Saquon Barkley is going to be its own challenge no matter what, but I like the prospects of this red hot Mike Zimmer defense going up against Hurts.
Tom: The Cowboys know Barkley well. It’s probably the one facet that will determine the game. If Dallas forces Philadelphia to go to the air, there’s a chance. As for a hot take, I think this turns out to be a battle of the back, with Dowdle rebounding in a big way.
RJ: It is hard to know how this will go with the question mark surrounding Jalen Hurts. Ultimately I think the Cowboys probably lose in a tough fight which will please Team Tank. My hot take is that CeeDee Lamb has a hat trick’s worth of touchdowns in his final performance of the calendar year 2024.
