Cowboys move forward, ‘carrying on light’ of Marshawn Kneeland – Todd Archer, ESPN
For Marshawn.
Last week, the Cowboys held a virtual team meeting while on their bye, then on Monday, they came together as a group for the first time. On Tuesday night, a candlelight vigil was held for Kneeland’s family, friends and those inside the Cowboys organization.
After a day off Wednesday, the Cowboys got back to work.
“Having dealt with loss, that is the best medicine for me,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “So getting back out there, handing the ball off and sprinting an extra 10 yards and making sure I’m doing it hard, Marshawn went through my mind a few times at practice today. I just countered that with running harder after a play or trying to do something to better this team to show that. It felt good. I know it was a great practice. A lot of guys were out there, good energy, beautiful weather. As I said, we’re not forgetting, but we’re moving forward carrying on the light.”
Prescott and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas carry a different burden to Kneeland’s loss. Prescott’s brother, Jace, died by suicide in 2020. Thomas’ sister, Ella, died by suicide in 2018. Through their foundations, both players have pledged help for mental health awareness and aiding families touched by tragedy.
The Cowboys will have two more practices before traveling to Las Vegas on Sunday ahead of the Raiders game. Thomas said the grieving process does not end.
“If we all play like Marshawn, we’ll play like a better team,” Thomas said. “I’m not saying Marshawn was a perfect player, but that way he would go out there and play is the way football is supposed to be played. He would run to the ball. No matter how tired he was, he would play with intensity and tenacity. He went out there because he loved the game. He played with love. He played every play like it was his last and didn’t take reps for granted. … If we do that, we’ll honor him — win, loss or draw — if we play like Marshawn. We’ll be a better team. We’ll come out of this better.”
Mailbag: Putting defensive pieces together? – Tommy Yarish, DallasCowboys.com
Will the Cowboys new look defense look that much different on Monday Night Football?
With new faces and players returning from injury, how long do you think it will take to put all the pieces together and really see what this defense is capable of? – Les Hoffman/Pell City, AL
Tommy: That’s a difficult question to answer because all athletes recover from injuries differently as each situation is unique. Obviously, the Cowboys are hoping that all the injured pieces they’re getting back as early as this week can come together and mesh with the defense to improve it immediately. Unfortunately for them, I don’t think that’s a realistic expectation given that two of your players in DeMarvion Overshown and Shavon Revel are coming off of major knee injuries. Does that mean they won’t contribute from the jump? Not at all, they very well could. I just don’t think you’re going to see them both at 100% from the jump because on one hand, they need to get their legs under them again and a game setting is completely different than practice. On the other hand, specifically in Revel’s case, he hasn’t played a single snap of NFL football yet. Those two can certainly help Dallas defensively, but it may take some time for them to fully get to that point.
Cowboys’ Record Shock: 10-6-1 Finish Still Possible? – Cody Warren, Inside the Star
Are the Cowboys capable of making a run at the playoffs?
The Dallas Cowboys enter Week 11 with a 3–5–1 record, a discouraging set of ESPN playoff odds, and a defense ranked near the bottom of the NFL in yards, points allowed, and about every other category.
A tie against the Green Bay Packers sits awkwardly on their record, shaping the mathematical path the rest of the way.
With eight games remaining, Dallas has only two realistic final outcomes: 10–6–1 or 9–7–1, depending on how quickly their revamped defense gels.
Despite long odds — just 5.3% to make the playoffs and 0.4% to reach the Super Bowl — the Cowboys still have a chance to rewrite the second half of their season.
The return of DeMarvion Overshown, the acquisition of Logan Wilson, the late addition of Quinnen Williams, and the debut of rookie corner Shavon Revel Jr. give Dallas a defensive foundation it simply did not have in September or October.
Now the question becomes whether this roster can turn potential into wins.
Dallas Faces One of the Most Challenging Finishing Stretches in the NFC
The Cowboys’ final eight opponents combine explosive offenses, physical fronts, and unfavorable road environments.
Four of the last eight games are outdoors — something the Cowboys have struggled with. They also face three current playoff-caliber teams in a row: the Eagles, the Chiefs, and the Lions.
The margin for error is razor-thin. Because of the tie on their record, every expected loss eliminates the possibility of reaching 10–6–1. The Cowboys must stack wins, particularly in the four home games at AT&T Stadium.
Mock Draft season may (unfortunately) be upon us.
At 3-5-1, I don’t blame any Dallas Cowboys fans willing to take their eyes off the fall and winter days of the 2025 NFL season and instead turn them to the spring and the 2026 NFL Draft. It should be a fun one as the Cowboys are set to make two first-round picks when the time comes.
To those ready to talk about the Cowboys Draft, let’s take a look at the latest two-round mock draft put together by the NFL Draft experts at A to Z Sports. A quick glance suggests it’ll cause some mixed feelings.
Ask any Cowboys fan what Dallas should do next April and he or she will probably tell you DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE. But the crew here has them going with an electric playmaker on offense instead.
Pick 12: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Joe DeLeone: “Projecting Love to end up with the Cowboys isn’t exactly an original pick, but it just makes too much sense to ignore. Love is the home run threat that the Cowboys’ offense needs at running back to reach an elite level. He would be the perfect next star running back in Dallas.”
Listen, I get Joe’s logic here. Javonte Williams’ long-term future in Dallas is far from guaranteed and the Cowboys have no long-term answer at the position. Meanwhile, Brian Schottenheimer has clearly aimed for a physical run game. Love gives you that and much more. However, not only is this not a defensive pick, but it’s also not an offensive tackle. And while it’s true that the Draft should be approached with a “best player available” mindset, it’s difficult to do so when the Cowboys head into the Draft with big roster holes after taking a passive approach in free agency.
With that being said, yeah, Love would be a ton of fun. Just look at his patience, vision, and burst in the play below.
Ashton Jeanty confident Raiders can attack weaknesses in Cowboys defense – Randy Gurzi, SI.com
The Cowboys defense will have their hands full with Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers on MNF.
The Dallas Cowboys will be back in the spotlight in Week 11 as they take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football.
Las Vegas comes into the weekend with a record of 2-7, and despite being the home team, they’re the underdogs. That’s not the norm for the Cowboys, who are just 3-5-1.
Their defense has been the main issue, which is why Ashton Jeanty believes the Raiders can have success. While speaking about the upcoming game, the rookie running back was complimentary of the Cowboys, and said the addition of Quinnen Williams should help them improve.
Still, he believes there are areas they can attack.
”They’ve got some great players, they just added another, Quinnen Williams on the interior, so I’m sure that will level up the kit front,” Jeanty said.
“But it’s a good all around team, but there’s definitely places where we can attack them and make great plays.”
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