This simple coverage change could boost Cowboys’ sacks, turnover numbers – Reid Hanson, Cowboys Wire
How the Cowboys need to cover.
The Cowboys’ pressure-to-sack rate has consistently lagged this season and it’s reasonable to assume their poor coverage in the secondary is a big reason why. That’s because under Matt Eberflus, the Cowboys secondary has taken a zone-heavy approach. Cornerbacks have been asked to play off in coverage, providing large cushions thereby gifting short passes.
Eberflus’ scheme is a solid strategy for a standard bend-but-don’t-break defense, but not very fitting for a defense that’s producing a league-leading pressure rate. Details matter in tracking pressures, and in the case of the 2025 Cowboys, those details make the case for a specific scheme change.
Many times, the type of pressures the Cowboys are getting are categorized as quick pressures. They are situations in which pass rushers are beating their man early, thus impacting the quarterback within 2.5 seconds. With a 21.8% quick pressure rate, the Cowboys are top five in the NFL. In quick pressures without blitzing, Dallas ranks No. 2 in the NFL. In other words, the pass rush is getting there early but the secondary isn’t making opponents pay for it because they’re always in off coverage.
Given the high degree of quick pressures, Eberflus should have his cornerbacks in more press coverage situations. Suddenly those quick passes under duress won’t be so easy for opposing QBs to complete. Press coverage plus quick pressures should equal more sacks and more turnovers. It’s a complementary approach that will work in Dallas’ favor.
Granted, if the Cowboys play more odd man fronts and move more players into the box there will be less protection on the back half with safeties. More man press could also result in more big plays against the Cowboys. But since that’s happening already why not mix things up and try to produce big plays the other way as well?
The timing seems to be ideal, with DaRon Bland and Caelen Carson getting more comfortable, Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson returning to the field, and the rookie Shavon Revel ready for his debut, the Cowboys are locked and loaded to play more press man in the secondary.
Cowboys risk repeating costly Dak Prescott mistake with George Pickens – Sayre Bedinger, The Landy Hat
The Cowboys cannot afford to picky about paying George Pickens.
If there’s one prospective 2026 NFL free agent who has substantially increased his value in the 2025 season, it’s Pickens has been outstanding for the Cowboys since coming over in the trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2025 NFL Draft, and he’s poised to get paid a lot of money on the open market…if he gets there.
The Cowboys obviously balked at a big-money contract for pass rusher Micah Parsons before the start of the 2025 season, but that’s not the mistake they are poised to potentially repeat with Pickens.
According to a report from ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys are keeping the idea of franchise tagging Pickens in their back pocket with free agency looming, which would doom them to repeat a similar mistake they made once upon a time with Dak Prescott.
Cowboys dooming themselves to repeat Dak Prescott history with George Pickens
“The Pickens experiment in Dallas has gone swimmingly. He is pacing for 1,400-plus yards and more than 10 touchdowns as the ideal counterpart to CeeDee Lamb. His immense talent — and the number of teams starved for receiver help — will drive his value. Multiple league executives believe the inconsistency will be a factor to consider in free agency, but Pickens’ results with capable quarterback play around him are undeniable. (The franchise tag — which would be around $29 million — could be a backup option for Dallas.)”
The situation with Micah Parsons was a little different because the Cowboys were not going to pay two players quarterback-type money unless it was on their terms. But they were willing to pay Parsons an exorbitant amount, which now they could justify spreading to Pickens and others.
The idea that this franchise would franchise tag Pickens is extremely underwhelming, because the franchise tag is only good for keeping a guy around in the short term. It’s bad for pretty much every other reason.
Cowboys vs. Raiders: Matchups to watch in Week 11 – Brian Martin, Blogging the Boys
These matchups will decide if Dallas can beat the Raiders.
The Dallas Cowboys hit the road this week to play their first ever regular-season game in Las Vegas against the Raiders. This Week 11 matchup is one that favors the Cowboys, but we’ve already witnessed this year that being favored doesn’t always equate to victory.
In order to walk away with the “W” this week, the Cowboys need to win certain matchups to help sway the game in their favor. Today, we’re going to share the ones we will be paying particularly close attention to.
Cowboys’ defense vs. QB Geno Smith
The Cowboys defense should be licking their chops to play against QB Geno Smith. Smith has thrown the second most interceptions (12) so far this year and has been sacked 27 times (fourth-most). This Week 11 matchup is one that should heavily favor the Cowboys. Despite their woes in the secondary, DaRon Bland and Company have a good chance to add to their INT total this year and don’t be surprised if Donovan Ezeiruaku and the rest of Dallas’ pass rusher’s add to their QB sacks total. This matchup could very well decide the outcome of the game.
DT Quinnen Williams vs. Raiders’ OL
Quinnen Williams probably couldn’t ask for a better matchup to make his debut with the Dallas Cowboys. The Raiders offensive line is currently pretty banged up, especially along the interior. RG Jackson Powers-Johnson was recently placed on IR with an ankle injury and OG Dylan Parham is also dealing with an ankle injury. These two injuries create a favorable matchup for Dallas’ new All-Pro DT. He has a chance to be a true difference-maker in his first ever game with the Cowboys and prove why Dallas paid such a hefty price to acquire him via trade.
3 Reasons Why Dak Prescott Can Reemerge in the MVP Conversation – Mark Heaney, Inside the Star
Dak needs a strong second half of the season.
In the early weeks of the 2025 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys’ All-Pro quarterback, Dak Prescott, looked like an MVP frontrunner. His offense stumbling and the defense flunking has changed this, however.
Now, at 3-5-1, Prescott’s MVP odds have sunk, while guys like Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford have soared.
Prescott, 32, is a former runner-up for the league’s highest honor, and that came in a 12-5 season; a pace the current Cowboys are far from achieving.
As we look toward the remaining eight games, this long-shot tune may change for the former Mississippi State star. In short, his MVP-star may start to shine again as we go into the November-December stretch.
Here are the top three reasons why Dak Prescott is not done yet in the race for the biggest award there is.
1. Defense = Wins: Record Could Turn Around With New Defenders En Route
The biggest culprit for Prescott’s regression in these talks is not himself: it is his league-worst, atrocity-of-a-defensive-unit.
Dallas knows this, so they tried to fix it. Their next games will feature a slew of fresh faces on the defense, including external additions Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson.
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