Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images There were some notable historical marks set for the Cowboys as a result of Monday’s loss. The Dallas Cowboys lost on Monday which is obviously very frustrating. Factoring in the exact nature in which the game ended, it is not a stretch to say it was one of the more frustrating losses of the entire season. Ultimately the show goes on and the Cowboys will be back in action on Sunday afternoon against the Carolina Panthers. Before we fully move on to that game though, we have to properly bury what happened on Monday night and in the burial process we can contextualize it all through an important lens. Something we do every week is evaluate the game that Dallas just played and the results from it through the lenses of both franchise and team history. The tools at Stathead and Pro Football Reference make this possible and allow us to do it all with much more ease. This week is big on Rico Dowdle. Rico Dowdle had another rare performance If you thought to yourself that you had not seen a performance like what Rico Dowdle offered much this season, then you would have been absolutely right. Over the course of Monday night Dowdle averaged 7.3 yards per carry which is incredibly impressive, but it is even more noteworthy given that he had 18 total carries on the night. As of Week 14’s conclusion such a performance has only happened five times across the season as a whole. Dowdle obviously has one of them, Derrick Henry has two, Saquon Barkley has another and New York Giants rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. did it. Dowdle and Tracy are the only two to do it in a losing effort. Shucks. This three-game stretch from Dowdle is rather impressive Monday night was just the latest piece of work from Dowdle as he has been on fire for three games in a row now. Over his last three outings, Dowdle has had 329 total rushing yards. This is only the third instance since the 2021 season where a player has had 329 or more rushing yards in a three-game span for the Cowboys. Dowdle, Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott have each done it once in the span in question. Obviously the passing game has been stout for Dallas over the last few years, but this ultimately proves how lackluster the run game has been for quite some time now. This stretch has also seen a workload that we haven’t seen in a while It could be argued that the primary reason for Dowdle’s performances lately has been how much work he has been receiving. Consider that Dowdle has had at least 18 carries in each of the last three games. This marks the first time that a player has had at least 18 carries in three consecutive games since Ezekiel Elliott had them near the end (ish) of the 2020 season. Once again this highlights how there is been a lack of consistency in the run game for Dallas as they have divvied things up a bit for some time now at the position. Note that Dowdle is averaging almost two whole yards more than Elliott did at that particular point in time. What we are seeing from Dowdle right now is very impressive. CeeDee Lamb is all by himself in one particular way Tim Heitman-Imagn Images Forgive me for not having a screenshot here, but that happens when you are talking about the only player to accomplish something as they are on a list all by themselves. CeeDee Lamb passed 935 receiving yards on the season on Monday night which meant that he has now reached 935 receiving yards in each of his first five seasons with the Cowboys. He is the only player in franchise history to do this. The Cowboys defense has an impressive streak going on Flipping to the other side of the ball, did you know that the Cowboys defense has generated a turnover in six straight games? It certainly doesn’t feel like it has been that long. Interestingly, this is tied for the longest streak of games in which the team has generated a turnover since the 2020 season (more on that in a moment). This means that Dallas has now tied the longest streak of games with a turnover that they ever had under Dan Quinn. It should be noted that Quinn’s group did it twice. It should also be noted that the group who they would tie with a turnover on Sunday is the 2020 version of the defense which was horrible in a number of historic ways. Not every record is a good one. A reminder that the defense has been very bad this season Obviously this year’s defense has been bad in their own way and on Monday night the Cincinnati Bengals took full advantage of that. By the end of the night the Bengals had amassed 433 total yards. This marked the fifth instance this season in which Dallas has allowed 430 total yards against them. The 2024 team is now tied with the aforementioned 2020 squad as well as the 2015 group for the second-most times that this has happened to the team in a single season. With four games remaining the 2013 “record” is close to safe.
Major injury to former 3rd-round pick will shake up Cowboys 2025 draft plans
Major injury to former 3rd-round pick will shake up Cowboys 2025 draft plans reidhanson It’s not often a critical December loss brought on by a botched special teams play in the waning moments of a game is only the second most terrible thing to happen to the Cowboys, but in the wake of DeMarvion Overshown’s season ending knee injury, that’s exactly what it is. The 5-8 Cowboys losing another game, in any fashion, is old hat in Dallas this year. 2024 has been a season to forget and even a recent two-game winning streak couldn’t vault the Cowboys into contender status. Losing one of the youngest and most exciting players to a significant knee injury is unquestionably the headline following Week 14. After missing all of the 2023 season to an ACL on his other knee, Overshown made it 13 games before a second, even more significant injury did the same in Year 2. The Cowboys were just starting to understand what Overshown could do as an NFL player. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound heatseeking missile established himself as the Cowboys second best pass-rusher, top run stopper and promising coverage man. Overshown was a man without a position in all the right ways. Reminiscent of Micah Parsons, Overshown served as the Cowboys not-so-secret weapon whose only limitation is the creativity of the coaching staff designing plays for him. With Dak Prescott and Zack Martin already sidelined for the year, the loss of Overshown serves as salt in an already festering wound in Dallas. Unfortunately, the bad news doesn’t end there. Tears to Overshown’s ACL, MCL, and PCL are said to threaten his entire 2025 season as well. The timing and severity of the injury isn’t something that a simple offseason can cure, and the Cowboys have to operate like their youngest and brightest star may not be back until 2026. The impact of this from a roster-building perspective is rather significant. As stated earlier, Overshown is a special player who serves multiple roles. The Cowboys can’t expect to fill those roles with just one player but likely need to target two or more in the draft. Linebacker, the position Overshown is technically listed at, is the obvious draft need for Dallas. Overshown was Dallas’ top LB this season and with Eric Kendricks likely to leave in the offseason, the Cowboys need to add new LBs in a big way this coming draft cycle. Even with the expected ascension of rookie Marist Liufau, the Cowboys need to find at least two high quality replacements through free agency and the draft. Overshown the pass rusher also needs to be replaced. He was Dallas’ second-best pass rusher this season and was on track to be No. 2 again in 2025 before the injury. Overshown was a pass rusher who could blitz from anywhere and could be moved constantly to exploit mismatches. It’s not something a traditional defensive end can do and it’s not something a normal LB can do either. It’s a role that’s not easily filled and frankly, may never get filled. With Overshown gone the Cowboys need to find a player with high end speed and sideline-to-sideline range, they need a moveable pass rusher, and they need a fearless run stopper. Best guess is it will take two draft picks just to partially cover the loss of Overshown this spring. With so many needs already on the docket for the 2025 NFL draft, this is terrible news for a team hoping to bounce back next year. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Week 15 rooting guide for Cowboys fans
Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images Whether you’re focused on Dallas’ 2025 draft pick or still holding on to playoff hopes, we’ve got something for you in this week’s rooting guide. If you’re still hoping to see the Cowboys in the 2024 playoffs, last week’s games nearly closed the door on that dream. For those already focused on the future, including Dallas’ 2025 draft pick, it was a step in the right direction. How might the Week 15 schedule further push the team toward either goal? Week 14 was a disaster for those still clinging to fantasies about the current season. Not only did Dallas lose their game in heartbreaking fashion, but outcomes throughout the NFC only made a postseason push more unlikely. A win by the Saints, who hold a head-to-head tiebreaker over Dallas, put one more team between the Cowboys and the last wild card spot. While Dallas can still finish above .500 if they win out over the last four games, that record probably isn’t good enough to make the playoffs in this year’s NFC. The current seventh seed, Washington, would have to go 1-3 the rest of the way. Even if that happens, you’d need all of the Rams, Falcons, Cardinals, 49ers, and Saints to drop below the Cowboys in overall record. The odds of all of that happening make it barely worth talking about. Still, for you adorable dreamers, here’s what you need to see happen to boost Dallas’ chances in the NFC playoff race: At this point, most of us are on to 2025 and the work Dallas needs to do to return to competitive status. Part of that will be in the upcoming NFL draft, so how these last four weeks of the season impact the draft order feels more relevant now. After last week’s results, here’s the latest projected order for next April: New York Giants (2-7) Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) New England Patriots (3-10) Carolina Panthers (3-10) Cleveland Browns (3-10) New York Jets (3-10) Tennessee Titans (3-10) Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10) Chicago Bears (4-9) New Orleans Saints (5-8) Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) Dallas Cowboys (5-8) Tiebreakers in draft ordering are different from what we think of with division and playoff races. Strength of schedule is the first tiebreaker, which is why the Saints and Bengals would have better picks than Dallas even though they have head-to-head wins over the Cowboys. But because the season isn’t over yet, the strength-of-schedule figures currently in play will change. If Dallas wants to secure a higher draft pick, losing this Sunday to the Panthers wouldn’t hurt. While we don’t expect the Cowboys to start blatantly tanking, a short week coming off Monday night and a road game could give Carolina the edge. It would close the standings gap between them to just one game, plus pull Dallas closer to that slew of other 3-10 teams. What else from this week’s games could help the Cowboys’ draft position? Titans over Bengals While Cincinnati is currently tied with Dallas, the Titans are one of those 3-10 teams that we’d like to move ahead of in the draft. Either team winning here is good for the Cowboys, but the Bengals are more likely to win other games over the rest of the season than Tennessee. Any Titans win over the last four weeks is a surprise, so we’ll take them wherever we can get them. Browns over ChiefsGiants over RavensBears over Vikings No real mystery here; we want the bad teams to win and make it easier to catch them in the draft order. Chicago upsetting Minnesota feels somewhat realistic out of these three, but the other two would be pretty shocking. Saints over CommandersRaiders over FalconsPatriots over Cardinals These outcomes are mutually beneficial for Team Tank and Team Playoffs. They give our draft nemeses a better record while hanging losses on teams between Dallas and the last wild card spot.
3 positive things we have learned about the Cowboys after Week 14 loss
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images There were some bright spots in the Cowboys Week 14 loss to the Bengals. The Dallas Cowboys were riding high on a two-game winning streak coming into their Week 14 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Unfortunately, due to not sticking to the running game and an inexcusable special teams blunder, Dallas ended up on the short end of the stick in a 27-20 loss. That puts them at 5-8 on the season, and that makes their already slim playoffs hopes even more difficult to achieve. Not to mention, they lost linebacker DeMarvion Overshown for the season with a major knee injury that could sideline him until 2026. With only four games left, the Cowboys will have to run the table to have any shot at the postseason. They have a winnable game on the road against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, even though they are underdogs in that game, like they will be the rest of the season. So, they could likely be put out of their misery in the next few weeks, and then they’ll turn the page to 2025. It wasn’t all had for the Cowboys against the Bengals. So, let’s take a look at some positives as we dive into three things we have learned about Dallas as they head into Week 15. Brock Hoffman is playing excellent football With veteran right guard Zack Martin out for the season, Hoffman has gotten the nod to start. To say he’s taken advantage of his opportunity is an understatement. On Monday, per Pro Football Focus, Hoffman only allowed one pressure and one quarterback hit on 36 pass-blocking snaps. For the season, Hoffman has 142 pass reps, and he’s given up one quarterback hit and two pressure total. He’s done so playing all over the interior with 187 reps at right guard, 37 at center, and 19 at left guard. Hoffman has a run blocking grade of 74.9 (23rd amongst guards), a pass-blocking grade of 77.6 (ninth amongst guards), and an overall grade of 76.5 (15th amongst guards). The Cowboys shouldn’t use Hoffman’s play to justify not taking a guard at some point in the draft or grabbing one in free agency. However, Hoffman is a hard hat, lunch pail-type of guy that provides great depth, and with Martin’s future up in the air, he could possibly compete to start in 2025. Rico Dowdle keeps showing his value For whatever reason, the Cowboys decided not to keep riding the hot hand of Dowdle down the stretch versus Cincinnati. Nonetheless, on his 18 carries, he managed to rack up a career-high 131 yards and became the first Cowboys running back to reach 100 yards in back-to-back games since 2022 (Tony Pollard). With 731 yards on the year, Dowdle has a legitimate shot to reach the 1,000-yard mark, something nobody thought was possible at the beginning of the year. Dowdle has left no doubt about which player is the top dog in the running back room, despite the Cowboys attempting to appease veteran Ezekiel Elliott. His performance in 2024 has been a pleasant surprise, and the Cowboys should consider bringing him back next year and paring him with a young RB1 of the future to make a formidable one-two punch. Until then, the Cowboys should keep feeding him the rock and allow to maintain the confidence he’s built. Marist Liufau had his most impact performance As mentioned earlier, Overshown went down for the season with a knee injury. For Liufau, it was the perfect chance to get valuable reps at the linebacker spot, and the former third-round pick looked like he was shot out of a cannon. Liufau finished with only two tackles, but he produced 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hits. There’s no doubt that Liufau has clearly set himself a part from Damone Clark as he’s been a non-factor this season. With Overshown on the shelf, Liufau will get more time alongside Eric Kendricks, which will be extremely beneficial for him to close out the year. Plus, this will better prepare him for 2025 as Overshown could very well miss the entire season, and that will put even more responsibility and expectations on him. Liufau plays with an aggressive nature and fires downhill with purpose, and he can navigate sideline to sideline with speed. That gets him in trouble sometimes, but you’d rather a player make a mistake giving full effort.
Cowboys become first sports franchise ever to reach $10 billion valuation
Cowboys become first sports franchise ever to reach $10 billion valuation Todd Brock The Cowboys, though not not yet mathematically eliminated from playoff contention this season, will almost certainly extend their championship drought to a 29th year. Nevertheless, they are continuing their dynasty as the most valuable sports franchise on the planet… by far. Forbes has released its annual list of the NFL’s most valuable teams, and the Cowboys have come out on top for the ninth straight year, with a hefty margin separating them from everyone else. The team that Jerry Jones bought in 1989 for a then-record $140 million now has a valuation of $10.1 billion. That figure is up 12% from last year and makes the club the first franchise- in any sport- to hit a staggering eleven digits. Dallas was also the first team to reach the $5 billion threshold (in 2018) and the $6 billion mark, in 2021. To further illustrate how exponentially the NFL’s coffers have exploded in recent years, consider that even the Cincinnati Bengals, the league’s least valuable franchise for 2024, have now reached $4 billion, a number that was an unthinkable record when the Cowboys hit it… only nine years ago. The Cowboys’ current $10.1 billion valuation is $2.5 billion ahead of the second-ranked team, the Los Angeles Rams, and more than double that of 11 other NFL teams. Worth noting, though: that latter group of clubs includes Baltimore, Buffalo, and Detroit, teams that all have a much better chance of winning a ring before the 5-8 Cowboys… as well as the Kansas City Chiefs, who seek to win an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl this season. One has to wonder if Jones would trade a sliver of his valuation for some of the success those teams are enjoying this year. (The most jaded fans assume he would not.) [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] A further breakdown of the Cowboys’ $10.1 billion valuation shows that nearly $800 million in 2023 came from local revenue, meaning ticket sales, sponsorships, merchandise, and other streams specific to the Cowboys. No other NFL team even topped $400 million. Almost four billion dollars of the $10.1 billion total is the Cowboys’ portion attributable to revenue shared among the league’s 32 teams. The size of Dallas’s market counts for another $2.27 billion. AT&T Stadium as a venue counts for $1.99 billion of value, and the Dallas Cowboys brand itself contributes $1.91 billion. That last number is especially impressive. No other NFL team comes even close to Dallas’s $1.91 billion; the New England Patriots have the league’s second-most valuable “brand,” at $694 million, but that’s still more than 2.5 times less than the Cowboys’. The Cowboys’ operating income is also tops in the league, pegged at $564 million; the Rams spend essentially half that, at $286 million. But they’re still turning an absurd profit. When Forbes first ranked the NFL’s teams by valuation in 1998, Dallas led the pack at $413 million. This year’s $10.1 billion represents a mind-boggling 2,346% increase. Try getting that kind of ROI on absolutely anything else. It’s no wonder private equity firms are scrambling to own even the tiniest crumbs of ownership now being offered by some clubs. But all of those astronomical dollar figures pale in comparison to the number that’s supposed to mean the most in professional football: five. That’s how many Super Bowl trophies stand in the lobby of the Cowboys’ team headquarters. That total hasn’t changed since 1996. Until it does, no matter how many digits and commas there are in this year’s bottom line, the word valuation has very little value whatsoever to Cowboys fans, who continue to wait for their team to make the cover of something other than a money magazine. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys vs. Panthers: Week 15 matchups to watch for the Dallas Cowboys
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Jonathan Mingo makes his return to Carolina on Sunday. The good news is that only four games remain on the 2024 NFL regular-season schedule. The bad news is that watching the Dallas Cowboys for the remainder of the year could be anywhere from frustrating to boring. That’s especially true after one of the most exciting and entertaining players, DeMarvion Overshown, sustained a serious season-ending knee injury last week. It’s pretty much been bad all around for the Cowboys all year and Overshown’s season-ending knee injury just made it worse. He was one of the few bright spots for the team this year and with his future now in jeopardy, the dark clouds surrounding the organization has turned into more of a black hole sucking down anything positive. In the hope of trying to avoid slipping into a deep depression in regards to the Cowboys future, we attempt to provide some matchups to keep an eye on in this Week 15 matchup with the Carolina Panthers. These matchups likely won’t sway the game one way or the other, but they are something to at the very least make the game a little more interesting. WR Jonathan Mingo vs. Panthers’ secondary This will be the first time Jonathan Mingo plays his former team after the Cowboys acquired him via trade from the Panthers for a 2025 fourth-round draft pick. Seeing as how he has only been targeted a total of 11 times and has two catches for 10 yards in four games so far with the Cowboys, there will no doubt be plenty of discussion throughout this Week 15 matchup about this trade and what Dallas gave up to acquire him. It’s really going to be interesting to see if No. 81 will be more involved this week against his former teammates. RB Rico Dowdle vs. Panthers’ run defense In back-to-back weeks Rico Dowdle has rushed for over 100 yards – the first two 100-yard rushing games of his career- against both the Giants and Bengals. There’s a very good chance he could make that three weeks in a row against a Panthers run defense that just recently let Saquon Barkley rush for 124 yards on 24 carries and average 6.2 yards per carry. Dowdle’s recent production is currently on par with the best RBs in the league over the past few weeks and there’s every reason to believe that will carry over into a Week 15. Dallas’ secondary vs. Panthers’ WR Adam Thielen This Week 15 matchup with the Panthers will be just the second time all season the Dallas Cowboys secondary will be at full strength. They played admirably last week against the Bengals, but failed to contain WR Ja’Marr Chase, allowing him to catch 14 passes for 177 yards and score two touchdowns. While Adam Thielen isn’t in Chase’s league, he is averaging 100 receiving yards per game the last two weeks. It will be up to Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis to prevent that from happening for three weeks in a row.
Cowboys news: Amani Oruwariye discusses what happened on blocked punt play
Tim Heitman-Imagn Images The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. Oruwariye on blocked punt in Cowboys’ loss to Bengals: ‘It was reactionary’ – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com The fans, as well as the player involved, should all start to move on from Monday’s gaffe. Speaking for the first time since the game, Oruwariye explained his thought process, the state of the locker and more, as he and Dallas attempts to turn the page to the Carolina Panthers. What happened during that infamous play? “It was just a normal punt return play and we were vicing up the guy. It was in the moment. I was taking my guy and I heard a thump. I didn’t know what it was — could’ve been a punt, could’ve been a block — all I know is I turned around to react as any athlete would. I saw the ball there and, in a split decision, I made the decision to go try and secure the ball. That’s just part of the game. It’s something that I felt, in that moment, was a reactionary thing to do, and so I’m standing by it.” When did you realize you shouldn’t have touched it? “I’d say after the play. Just seeing everybody’s emotions. I was like, ‘Dang. That was pretty big in the moment. But, like I said, it was reactionary. It was in the moment. The ball got up on my kinda quick. I wish I could’ve secured it. I wish I could’ve just not touched it. Either way, it unfolded how it did and that’s just part of the game. It’s a part of life. You have to take from it and move on.” How have coaches and teammates responded to it this week? “It’s a testimony to the kind of guys we have in this locker room — great guys and great teammates — that wanted to rally around me, console me and support me in the moment like that. It was a very emotional moment. I didn’t want to feel like I was letting anybody down. And they quickly assured me that’s not what I did. It was a good feeling to feel that from my guys.” Time is coming for NFL to decide on flexing Week 16 Cowboys game on Sunday Night Football – RJ Ochoa, BloggingTheBoys.com We’ve reached the point where even America’s Team may be moved out of primetime. The subject of flexing is why we are here today as the Cowboys have another game set for primetime coming up and unlike this past week there are no animations made for Bart Simpson that would prohibit the game from being moved. The NFL will have to decide soon on if they are going to flex out of the Cowboys game in Week 16 In case you are unaware, the Cowboys are currently set to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. What is notable about the game, relative to our discussion, is that it is set to occur on Sunday Night Football. Following Week 14 the Cowboys are 5-8 and the Bucs are at least about .500 with a record of 7-6. Odds are not an exact science, but the Cowboys are underdogs in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers and so are the Buccaneers on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers. If things go chalk then the matchup will be between a 5-9 team and a 7-7 one. I’d imagine that NBC, the home of SNF, would prefer something different, even if the Dallas Cowboys are ratings gold. It is worth noting that NBC took over the SNF package in 2006 and in that time the Cowboys have been flexed out of one of their Sunday night games only once. The game in question was in 2020, another lost year for the Cowboys, where Dallas hosted the San Francisco 49ers. Dallas entered that game 4-9 where San Francisco was 5-8 for context. It sure sounds like Jerry Jones is ready to fire a respected Cowboys coach – Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat A highly-regarded coordinator may be on his way out in Dallas. With the score tied 20-20, the Cowboys were about to take over inside Bengals territory after Nick Vigil blocked a punt. They were already in Brandon Aubrey’s range. One first down could have iced the game. However, cornerback Amani Oruwariye touched the live ball, fumbled it and the Bengals recovered. It took just three plays for Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to hook up for the game-winning score. Jerry Jones was understandably frustrated after the loss and he made sure to note the Cowboys’ many special teams gaffes this season to the media. A new report from Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram hints Jones has lost patience with ST coach John “Bones” Fassel. Jerry Jones could fire Cowboys special teams coach John “Bones” Fassel According to Harris, Jones confronted Fassel in the locker room about Oruwariye’s gaffe. Jones asked whether Oruwariye was coached to avoid the live ball and why Dallas tried to block the punt when they were getting the ball back regardless with a chance to win the game. It is worth noting that Jones backtracked on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday. “Frankly, when I really reviewed it after the dust had settled, it was not a bad call and was executed on the front end of the punt block very, very effectively,” Jones said, per Harris. “I had revisited the look on the way the ball hit and it really kind of bounced up in a way that was almost unavoidable. The players are coached up, they talk it up.” NFL insider says Cowboys ‘could lean’ specific direction at head coach if they decide to move on from Mike McCarthy at the end of 2024 season – Mauricio Rodriguez, AtoZSports.com If Dallas does change their head coach, one coach in particular is a possible replacement. Lately, it’s starting to sound like Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is
Cowboys Winners and Losers: Rico Dowdle’s stock continues to soar, John Fassel’s plummets
Winner: The Simpsons Cast LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Yvette Nicole Brown and Homer Simpson get photobombed by Bart Simpson at the Disney+ Official U.S. Launch Party at The Grove at The Grove on November 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images) The NFL has generated some of the most watched programs for some time, and calculated risks such as the Simpsons-ized simulcast will be the reason the NFL continues its dominance over the other major American sports leagues. While it may not have been something a traditional viewer would watch, the graphics in between each play were entertaining as well as the in-game trivia that would stump even the most knowledgeable NFL and Simpsons fans. The entertainment value shown in cartoon form should be enough to get the next generation interested in the sport early. It should also generate ideas for future game enhancements. The XFL may have fizzled under Vince McMahon but the NFL did incorporate the sky cam after it was experienced within the defunct league. The in-person helmet camera view along with the grade school stories told by some of the players were among the best features that could spark future ideas to enhance the in-home viewing experience. Loser: Mike McCarthy’s Playcalling ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 09: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was gaining momentum on a potential extension in Dallas but his one-sided play calling may have the entire coaching staff updating their resumes. McCarthy failed to go with the hot hand in running back Rico Dowdle, who was averaging 7.3 yards per carry against a bad Bengals defense. With 10 days to prepare, failing to take advantage of one of the worst run defenses in the league is a big reason why the fan base is ready for change. Old habits die hard and Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush dropping back 31 times when he is averaging almost a yard and a half fewer on his completions (5.9 YPC) than Dallas was averaging on the ground (7.3 YPA) is exactly why Dallas needs a different philosophy. Dallas scores the second-least points in the red-zone among all NFL teams. The Cowboys had three such chances in the first half and came away with one touchdown; An 11-yard toss to CeeDee Lamb from Cooper Rush, and a Brandon Aubrey 35-yard field goal. To make matters worse, Dallas lost the ball in the red zone in that first half which was their seventh turnover inside the 20 which leads the league. Dallas is tied for 31st with 23 turnovers on the season. McCarthy was a nice upgrade over former head coach Jason Garrett but Dallas needs a more modern approach to keep pace in an ever-evolving league. Winner: Rico Dowdle Dec 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) runs with the ball as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Ivey (38) defends during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Dowdle had his best rushing night of the season after carrying the ball 18 times for 131 yards. Dallas began the season unsure of who should be the lead back and Dowdle has unequivocally taken the role. Dowdle has given the Cowboys a reason to retain the former undrafted free agent who will hit free agency this upcoming offseason sans an extension from Dallas. He has a decision to make as the Cowboys continued failures to feature him as a lead back could backfire and provide the ammunition needed to get a larger deal with more opportunities elsewhere. In the meantime, Dallas still has a few games remaining this season and Dowdle could add a 1,000-yard rusher to his resume. With 731 rushing yards on the season, the NFL’s 21st-leading rusher could eclipse the coveted milestone if he can average 67.2 yards in the teams final four games. Loser: Cowboys Secondary Dec 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) defends a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images For the first time since Week 2 of the 2023 season, Dallas suited up All-Pro cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland along with nickel corner Jourdan Lewis. It wasn’t enough to limit Jamar Chase and the Bengals passing offense as the former LSU wideout lit up Dallas catching 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Bengals QB Joe Burrow threw for 369 yards against Dallas. That is by far the most passing yards given up this season and only the second 300-yard passer Dallas has allowed this season. Lions QB Jared Goff threw for 334 yards back in mid-October. To be fair, Diggs was coming off an injury that has kept him out of the last two games while Bland is still working is way back after missing the first ten games of the season due to a broken foot suffered in training camp. Regardless, the secondary everyone had been itching to watch play together got torched for almost 400 yards. Winner: Team Tank Dallas Cowboys fans pose in the main theater on Thursday, April 25, 2024 for the first day of the NFL Draft in Detroit. With a win, Dallas would have closed to two games of Washington (8-5) for the final wild-card spot, with a win in hand and a second matchup to come. The loss places Dallas into a three-way tie with the Bengals and Saints, teams who have defeated Dallas at home this season, and Dallas now projects as the 12th overall selection. All three sit ahead of nine teams with four or fewer losses. While the team is currently positioned in the area where draft prospects such as Georgia’s edge Javon Walker or Missouri wideout Luther
Studs and duds from Cowboys heartbreaking loss include playcalling woes
Studs and duds from Cowboys heartbreaking loss include playcalling woes Mike Crum Fans, draft analysts, and some media might want the Dallas Cowboys to tank and lose as many games as possible to get a better draft selection. Still, the players and coaches are preparing, practicing, and playing to win these games, and they put themselves in a situation to do so against the Cincinnati Bengals. They looked like the 2023 team that played in AT&T Stadium early, getting a three-and-out on defense and then going down the field for an opening-drive touchdown. The defense made Cincinnati turn the ball over three times and held them to 20 points before a gaffe by the special teams unit with under two minutes left in the game. The offense ran the ball the best they had all season as well. To the credit of the coaching staff, many players were still playing like studs in a game in which they had only a two percent chance of making the playoffs. Unfortunately for the team, the duds allowed the Bengals to hang around and steal a game. Duds: Poor coaching ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 09: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) While most will focus on cornerback Amani Oruwariye’s muff after a blocked punt, Mike McCarthy made several bad decisions throughout the game that allowed Cincinnati to be close enough to steal it at the end. The main issue was the decision by McCarthy to put the ball in the hands of quarterback Cooper Rush instead of focusing on the rushing attack. The passing game produced only 4.9 yards per pass, while the run game was humming for 6.2 yards per play. Dallas only ran the ball 25 times compared to 31 pass attempts from Rush. Rico Dowdle ran for over seven yards per attempt but only got the ball 18 times. With just under six minutes left and the score tied at 20-20, Dowdle broke off a 14-yard run. McCarthy followed that up by calling three straight passes (all were incomplete) and punting the ball. It was a lousy game plan with poor execution and that strategy kept the Bengals in striking distance. Studs: Cowboys defense ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 09: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after a penalty against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) The Bengals have been a juggernaut on offense, averaging 35 points per game over the last four games. They have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, possibly the best receiver duo, and running back Chase Brown, who averaged 124 total yards over that time. The Cowboys’ defense was beginning to play better, but their opponents were the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants, who’s offenses weren’t comparable to Cincinnati. The Dallas defense stepped up and gave the team a chance to win with their backup quarterback. They held the Bengals to under four yards a rush, forced a fumble, intercepted a pass, and made Cincinnati turn the ball over on downs. With two minutes remaining, Dallas forced the Bengals to punt, only allowing them to score 20 points and giving the offense a chance to win with a two-minute drive. The defense played liked studs, but the offense and special teams couldn’t get it done. Duds: Workload for CeeDee Lamb Dec 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) reacts after a failed fourth down play against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images CeeDee Lamb is among the top tier of receivers in the league, alongside Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, and Ja’Marr Chase. He is at the top of the league in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, and the game started with the offense focusing on getting him the ball. On the first 11 plays on offense, Lamb had four targets for 71 yards and a touchdown. He had only three targets, two receptions, and 22 yards for the rest of the game. On the game’s final play, Lamb was wide open over the middle and was never even looked at by Rush. On the Bengals’ offense, Joe Burrow has a much better second option in Tee Higgins, but they still attack with a focus on their star receiver. Chase had a monster night with 18 targets, 14 receptions for 177 yards, and two touchdowns. Dallas has two impactful offensive players, Dowdle and Lamb, and neither made the impact they could have because they didn’t get the ball enough against one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Studs: Offensive line ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 09: Cooper Rush #10 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with Tyler Smith #73 after a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) The Cowboys’ offensive line seems to have five different starters to begin every game in the 2024 season. Terence Steele is the only offensive lineman with 100% of the snaps this year. They have eight players with over 120 snaps on offense, and eight have started a game. That is a mix-and-match situation not many teams survive. The Cowboys started Chuma Edoga at left tackle for the first time this season, and Brock Hoffman was starting again for Zack Martin, his third start of the year. The unit showed up well. Dowdle had 18 attempts for 131 yards, an average of 7.3 a carry. It was the best statistical game of his career. He had five runs for double digits and the offensive line held its own in pass protection. Cincinnati has one of the best pass rushers in the league, Trey Hendrickson, and Dallas
The McCarthy Chronicles: Cowboys can’t do any better than this
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images How much stock do you put into the Cowboys offering words of support for Mike McCarthy? It wasn’t too long ago that everyone was certain the Cowboys would be looking for a new head coach after this year. Mike McCarthy’s contract expires once the season ends, and a losing streak that saw Dak Prescott go down for the year only escalated the odds of that happening. Then the Cowboys won two straight, both of them against division foes, and momentum began to shift in the coach’s favor. Prescott made a rare media appearance to vouch for McCarthy and Stephen Jones admitted that the entire team feels the same way. Then, before the Monday night game kicked off against the Bengals, Troy Aikman added to the discourse: Former Cowboys QB Troy Aikman on @1053thefan said he expects Mike McCarthy to be the Cowboys’ head coach next season. “Short of Bill Belichick, I don’t know who you’re going to bring in that has a better resume. … I just feel that for a team that I really do not think is that… — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 10, 2024 As if the universe was playing a cosmic practical joke, the Cowboys immediately went on to lose in the most dumbfounding way possible. After the defense sacked Joe Burrow on third and long with two minutes left in the game and the score all tied up, Dallas blocked the punt and then foolishly tried to recover it, giving the ball right back to Cincinnati as a result. The dire mental error in such a crucial moment immediately let the social media hounds loose on McCarthy, with fans calling for him to be fired and expressing regret over the apparent about-face of the internal sentiment on the coach. There’s just one problem: the Cowboys can’t do any better than this. That’s both in the short- and long-term, too. Just about everyone not named Jerry or Stephen agrees that the offseason strategies this year were not put together with winning in 2024 as the foremost priority. It’s not entirely surprising that the team stumbled early on, and it’s even less surprising that they got worse after Prescott went down. Hope of a magical turnaround was extinguished several weeks ago, although the two-game win streak cracked the door open ever so slightly. This loss to the Bengals was a reminder, though, that the Cowboys in this current moment are not equipped to contend for the playoffs. In the long run, though, the Cowboys have an uneasy future too. They have 11 starters with expiring contracts this year, and Micah Parsons will likely want a new contract before his fifth-year option officially kicks in. Following next year, the Cowboys will have contract decisions to make on DaRon Bland, Jake Ferguson, Donovan Wilson, Jalen Tolbert, Brandon Aubrey, and Terence Steele, among others. They’re also already tied to Prescott and CeeDee Lamb for at least the next four years. On some level, that’s a good thing, but Prescott is already the longest-tenured starting quarterback in the league. He’ll already be entering next season coming off his season-ending injury, so adding a total scheme overhaul onto his plate would be unwise. That’s what dumping McCarthy would mean: a new scheme, a new language, and an entirely different set of personnel requirements on offense. While many fans would be elated to ditch the Texas Coast offense after just two years, pulling off a scheme change is easier said than done. Finding the right coach to do it is an entirely different animal. Many fans want Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, but that seems highly unlikely. The other two names most commonly associated with the potential vacancy are Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel. As of the time of publication, Belichick is reportedly on the verge of taking the head coaching job at the University of North Carolina. But we’ll reference him here becasue he was a likely candidate until just recently, and it helps build out the context. Belichick is a defensive mind whose track record on offense has been spotty, at least when he doesn’t have Tom Brady running the show. The same can be said of Vrabel, who went 13-21 after losing offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. In the six years that Vrabel coached the Titans, his offense was 13th in EPA/play and 14th in success rate; in that same span, the Cowboys are fifth and third, respectively. The biggest knock on McCarthy is that he doesn’t win in the postseason. It’s a silly thing to say about a coach who has a Super Bowl ring to his name, but McCarthy is 1-3 in the playoffs in Dallas. Belichick and Vrabel have had their moments in the playoffs, though. Belichick obviously has six rings, while Vrabel’s second year with the Titans saw them reach the conference championship game. Of course, neither coach has done much recently. Following that stellar 2019 year for the Titans, Vrabel went 0-2 in the playoffs and then failed to reach the postseason his next two years. Meanwhile, Belichick has just one playoff appearance since Brady left the Patriots, and he hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2018 season. To put that in perspective, the last playoff win he had came at the end of a Super Bowl run that saw the Patriots beat Philip Rivers’ Chargers, Patrick Mahomes in just his second career playoff game, and a Rams team led by Jared Goff and Todd Gurley. “But they’ve gotten farther in the playoffs than McCarthy has in Dallas,” some say. So did McCarthy when he took this job. McCarthy currently has the third-most wins among active head coaches and he’s tied for 13th most all time. Coincidentally, he’s tied Bill Parcells, another Super Bowl winning head coach who was unable to replicate his success in Dallas. If those two coaches couldn’t get it done under the watchful eye of Jerry Jones, what hope is there that Vrabel can? Therein