The Dallas Cowboys didn’t look so hot defensively in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles, but they completely turned things around in the second half by giving up just three points. However, despite the pretty good overall success as a defensive unit, second-year linebacker Marist Liufau wasn’t that involved in the game plan. To […] The Dallas Cowboys didn’t look so hot defensively in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles, but they completely turned things around in the second half by giving up just three points. However, despite the pretty good overall success as a defensive unit, second-year linebacker Marist Liufau wasn’t that involved in the game plan. To lay it all out there, Liufau played just six snaps for the Cowboys. It was very surprising that this was the case considering the potential he showed as a rookie in 2024 and his performance in training camp and the preseason. As the Cowboys get set to take on the New York Giants, it appears that Liufau could potentially see more playing time in the Cowboys’ home opener. Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus spoke on Liufau getting more snaps. Everything is a competition, and it’s all about how you practice. Damone [Clark] did a really good job at camp, and so did Marist. Marist has practiced his tail off last week and this week and he’s earned his right for those reps. Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray, and Damone Clark combined for 150 snaps versus the Eagles. Respectfully, it wasn’t a pretty sight when it came to reading and dissecting plays. They always looked a half step behind. Although Saquon Barkley was neutralized to just 60 rushing yards, quarterback Jalen Hurts killed Dallas with timely runs as he extended plays and moved the chains. Liufau is a downhill type of player who can fill the gaps against the run and even rush the passer from the second level. He might have been useful for the Cowboys in Week 1 in helping to limit some of Hurts’ effectiveness on the ground. In Week 2, the Cowboys will face quarterback Russell Wilson. Granted, he can’t move like he used to, but he can still make some plays with his feet. The aforementioned Hurts can be extremely effective with his legs and so can Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders, and Dallas plays all of these guys twice a year. Also, the Cowboys play quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert this season who can make plays on the ground. That’s quite a menu of mobile quarterbacks that Dallas will face. The Cowboys need to see if Liufau can help stop mobile quarterbacks coming up on the schedule. Hopefully, this ramping up of Liufau’s opportunities will lead to the second-year jump for him that many have anticipated. 0 CommentsSee More: Dallas Cowboys Roster

It has been an interesting week for the Dallas Cowboys from a roster construction standpoint. As preparations began for Sunday’s opponent, the New York Giants, it was reported that Dallas was bringing in veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney for a meeting and workout. Clowney ultimately left the team’s facility without a locker at The Star, […] It has been an interesting week for the Dallas Cowboys from a roster construction standpoint. As preparations began for Sunday’s opponent, the New York Giants, it was reported that Dallas was bringing in veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney for a meeting and workout. Clowney ultimately left the team’s facility without a locker at The Star, but the aftermath has suggested that a union is possible down the road. Stephen Jones took to the radio airwaves of San Antonio’s Sports Star on Thursday and was obviously asked about the subject. “We’re still looking at him and seeing how this thing is going to work out. Certainly, he’s a guy that we’re looking at who could give us some help on the outside.” After the initial “what’s going on there” question, Stephen was asked specifically what goes into a meeting with a veteran like this, a situation that could lead to a signing later on down the road and not in the initial moment. “The biggest thing with someone like Jadeveon is just to get to know him. Kind of see what his plan is. And what his thoughts are. Obviously he’s a guy who hadn’t been in a camp. But there’s veterans, that’s kind of, their plan. And we’ve had those types who’ve really worked out for us in a positive way.” “Just to get to spend time, let him get to know us. Our teammates. Because a lot of guys like that are certainly wanting to find, not only, the money’s gotta be right, but also the right situation.” “It was a great opportunity for him to get to see what our organization’s all about. To meet Coach Schottenheimer and his staff. To meet Jerry, and I and Will. To get to know the facility. I think he was certainly impressed with that.” “But that’s really what goes into the visit. Not as much about the workout with someone like that. He’s a guy who keeps himself in shape and played at a high level for 10+ years in the NFL.” So often meetings like this are about the player getting to know the team as well, a point that Stephen alluded to. Clowney has been in the NFL for a long time and is certainly closer to the end of his career than the beginning so it makes sense that he would want to be selective in choosing his next team. For what it’s worth, reports from 105.3 The Fan suggest that the Cowboys may have been ready to pounce but that Clowney is the one who wants to be patient. Time will tell whether or not the Cowboys wind up signing Clowney. It seems that both parties have a general understanding of what could be if they go down that road, now it is just a matter of whether they do or not. 0 CommentsSee More: Dallas Cowboys Free Agency

The Dallas Cowboys are going to be playing without the services of DaRon Bland against the New York Giants this week. It is the collective hope that this situation does not linger for many more games. On Wednesday of this week it was reported that Bland was seen at the team’s facility in a walking […] The Dallas Cowboys are going to be playing without the services of DaRon Bland against the New York Giants this week. It is the collective hope that this situation does not linger for many more games. On Wednesday of this week it was reported that Bland was seen at the team’s facility in a walking boot which started this saga. Team leadership have suggested that it is in fact a situation that won’t last, but injuries are always a funny thing. Speaking on Friday morning to 105.3 The Fan, head coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke to how the Cowboys may mitigate Bland’s loss. Dallas has been committed to utilizing Bland in the slot with Trevon Diggs and Kaiir Elam playing outside and it seems the team could use some safety help to take over in that capacity. Reddy Steward’s name has been thrown out a lot as a direct solution, but it is the type of issue where you want to have multiple plans given Steward’s lack of experience. Stephen Jones appeared on San Antonio’s Sports Star on Thursday and noted that Dallas thinks this may be a 2-3 week situation which would mean the Cowboys at least have to figure this out for longer than a single game. “Well I think right now we’re hoping it’s on the shorter end of a 2-3 weeks. The great news is we’re getting Diggs back and he’s going to be able to get a lot of this game.” “That part of it’s good and Kaiir’s playing good. And hopefully, we’ve got some other young guys on the roster who are going to get opportunities.” “Right now we feel like we’re in pretty good shape. Especially since we don’t expect this Bland injury to be extensive or take a long time.” It should be noted that in that question Stephen was asked about potential veteran help and that Stephon Gilmore’s name was said by the interviewer. Stephen obviously did not address that in any specific manner, though. The Giants do not exactly boast the most prominent passing attack and if we are looking ahead a week then neither do the Chicago Bears, although the latter is extremely early into the Ben Johnson era and may figure things out soon enough. Hopefully the Cowboys are able to make it through however long Bland is lost for without any serious damage done against them in the win-loss column. 0 CommentsSee More: Dallas Cowboys Roster

The first official Thursday Night Football game is in the books with the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers having played last night. If you are curious… technically speaking the first game of the season that the Dallas Cowboys played in against the Philadelphia Eagles is a broadcast of Sunday Night Football and NBC. Details […] The first official Thursday Night Football game is in the books with the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers having played last night. If you are curious… technically speaking the first game of the season that the Dallas Cowboys played in against the Philadelphia Eagles is a broadcast of Sunday Night Football and NBC. Details matter! Seriously though, the first TNF game took place and it was a difficult one to watch from a Cowboys perspective with Micah Parsons’ new team playing a division rival of the Cowboys. Thankfully it is over, though. What was your biggest takeaway from all of the action? Do you feel any differently about Green Bay and/or Washington? With Dallas now having played over a week ago we have seen these two teams each play two games now and waiting to get back on the horse is not exactly a fun feeling. Let us know what you thought of the game in the comments below. 0 CommentsSee More: Dallas Cowboys Roster

Players 2 Watch: Biggest players in Sunday’s home opener – DallasCowboys.com Week two is almost here. The mothership highlights a few players to watch for in the Cowboys matchup. Trevon Diggs – Against the Eagles, Matt Eberflus’ defense did not play a single snap of man coverage in the secondary. You don’t see that often, but […] Week two is almost here. The mothership highlights a few players to watch for in the Cowboys matchup. Trevon Diggs – Against the Eagles, Matt Eberflus’ defense did not play a single snap of man coverage in the secondary. You don’t see that often, but for Trevon Diggs in his return, it ended up working out as he wasn’t targeted at all in 20 coverage snaps. If the Cowboys will be that heavy in one coverage again on Sunday, Diggs will need his ball hawking abilities to flash again. He has 16 career interceptions while in zone coverage and 39 passes defended on top of that, and Dallas could use a bump on either or both of those numbers to help them out defensively against New York. – Tommy Yarrish George Pickens – In the season opener, and his debut for the Cowboys, Pickens saw only four targets but hauled in three of them at critical times. It feels like this could be a game wherein Pickens and Lamb swap roles, and it’s the latter that might be stealing coverage away to allow the former the chances to have a monster game against a Giants’ secondary that’s questionable, at times. Those wondering if Pickens will have his shot at stealing the show on any given week could very well get their questions answered on Sunday against Big Blue. – Patrik Walker Juanyeh Thomas missed practice on Thursday. For the most part, Dallas’ Thursday injury report remained the same aside from one new addition: Safety Juanyeh Thomas, who did not participate due to personal reasons that were non-injury related. CB DaRon Bland (foot) once again did not practice as he’s expected to be sideline for a few weeks, and S Malik Hooker (foot) was limited for the second day in a row. On the Giants side, a majority of their players listed as DNP on Wednesday participated in practice in a limited capacity on Thursday, including starting OL Andrew Thomas (foot) and WRs Wan’Dale Robinson (ankle) and Darius Slayton (groin). Star WR Malik Nabers (back) went from a limited participant Wednesday to a full participant Thursday. Cowboys will be searching for young DB’s to step up in DaRon Bland’s absence. If there was one position the Cowboys could not afford to see more injuries to this early in the season, it is their secondary. However, there’s nothing that can be done now. The Cowboys have to play the next man up mentality. That next man could be undrafted free agent Zion Childress. Childress won over the fans during his efforts in the preseason, and now, the former University of Kentucky star may get his moment this Sunday. Childress spent two seasons with Texas State before finishing the final three seasons of his collegiate career with the Wildcats in Lexington. Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game. They are also something the Cowboys know all too well after last season. Injuries cannot and won’t be an excuse for this team. A moment like this is where the coaching staff will need to lean on its depth. Childress, the ball could be in your court. Will the Cowboys rely on players or scheme to overcome Bland’s injury? Even though Dallas and Diggs are making sure they’re responsibly ramping up his snap count, that doesn’t mean Eberflus has Diggs playing cautiously. Diggs said his blitz of Hurts in Week 1 that recorded the third quarterback pressure of his six-year career was his first real blitz in the NFL. That’s why he didn’t look fully natural while charging at Hurts, which allowed the Eagles quarterback to spin out of Diggs’ clutches before throwing the football away. Eberflus said “wrapping up through the waist” and going for a “punch on the football” would be technique points worth emphasizing. “It just looked too good to be true,” Diggs said with a smile. “He wasn’t looking at me, and I was coming full speed, hard. Like ‘Alright, I’m about to kill him. I’m about to kill him.’ And then he spun out, and I’m like, ‘Oh, this is kind of harder than it looks.’ … I’m going to come in with a little bit more control next time.” What do the analytics tell us from the Cowboys week one loss? The headline here is that the Cowboys grade out as the 14th best team in the league right now. Given all the changes in the offseason, along with the trade of Micah Parsons right before things started, most fans will take that. After one week of games, the Cowboys are buoyed by their offense and held down by their defense, which is unsurprising for several reasons. DAVE, which combines actual DVOA results with DVOA-based preseason projections, offers a good comparison for where the team should be right now. The offense is way ahead of schedule, while the defense turned out to be a bit worse than expected. All in all, these metrics reflect that the Cowboys played better than expected last Thursday night. Pivoting to our EPA-based team tiers, the Cowboys find themselves right around the same area as their DVOA ranking. They’re one of many teams in the bottom right quadrant – which is where teams end up when they’re good on offense and bad on defense – but not so far from the average lines that they can’t move into the ideal upper right quadrant in a couple weeks. 0 CommentsSee More: Dallas Cowboys News

While September may seem awfully early to start talking about the playoffs, there’s a little-known NFL rule that says games this month have just as much bearing on the final standings as ones in November and December. Given that it’s never too early to get into our weekly Cowboys fan rooting guides! From now until […] While September may seem awfully early to start talking about the playoffs, there’s a little-known NFL rule that says games this month have just as much bearing on the final standings as ones in November and December. Given that it’s never too early to get into our weekly Cowboys fan rooting guides! From now until it’s no longer mathematically possible for Dallas to make the postseason, we’re going to look at all of the weekly matchups and discuss which outcomes could best help the Cowboys get into the tournament. At some point, if the season ain’t going our way, we may shift to focusing more on what helps Dallas’ first-round draft pick. And given we also now have the Packers’ 2026 and 2027 first-rounders, we’ll be keeping an eye on them, too. Obviously, we all want the Cowboys to further demoralize the Giants and get to 1-1. What else should we be hoping for in Week 2 of the 2025 schedule? For now, with an eye on the playoffs, we’ll stick to NFC action. Packers d. Commanders Oooh, a tough one right out of the gates! It’s a no-loser for Dallas, really, with strong gains in either outcome. Not only do we want Green Bay to lose because of the draft pick, but they’re also a likely obstacle in the NFC playoffs. But Washington is a potential roadblock within our own division, and already has a one-game lead. If you believe the Cowboys can compete this year, then we have to root against our NFC East rivals and hope the Packers find other times to fail. Chiefs d. Eagles On the other side of the spectrum, we should all be on the same page here. Even if you find Kansas City insufferable, they can still help us out. It’s the least they can do after failing to keep a second Lombardi trophy away from Philly. Bears d. Lions Detroit looked like it really missed Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn in its season-opening loss to the Packers. Then again, Johnson’s Bears didn’t fare much better last week. His return to Detroit is a huge game now for two teams trying to avoid starting 0-2. The Lions still feel like they have a better chance of being competitive later this year, so we’d like them to dig the hole a little deeper. Saints d. 49ersPanthers d. CardinalsFalcons d. Vikings Same logic as above: San Francisco, Arizona, and Minnesota all feel more threatening to Dallas’ long-term goals than this week’s opponents. Keeping potential wild card teams in the Cowboys’ range is going to be common logic throughout this series. With it still being too early for much certainty, let’s just root for math and for having a bunch of 1-1 teams after two weeks. Titans d. RamsSteelers d. SeahawksTexans d. Buccaneers Three interconference games to finish up this week’s guide. Seeing our fellow NFC teams take these losses can only help the Cowboys. 0 CommentsSee More: Dallas Cowboys General

The NFL is back. After two long days without a professional football game we will all be treated to one this evening as the Green Bay Packers host the Washington Commanders. In many ways, basically all of them, this is a lose-lose for the Dallas Cowboys. You could also view it as a win-win for […] The NFL is back. After two long days without a professional football game we will all be treated to one this evening as the Green Bay Packers host the Washington Commanders. In many ways, basically all of them, this is a lose-lose for the Dallas Cowboys. You could also view it as a win-win for them, though. If the Packers win this game then the Micah Parsons stuff reaches another level. It should obviously be said that the Packers’ first-round draft pick worsens in value. But at least that would mean Washington, an NFC East rival, lost. If the Commanders win then they are clearly going to be a threat and are pushing off all of the talk that regression is coming for them in Jayden Daniels’ second season. But at least this would mean that Green Bay, whose first-round pick Dallas holds, loses. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder this evening and so we are curious for your opinion. Would a Washington or Green Bay win be better? As noted there really is no wrong answer here, but unfortunately there is no perfectly right one either. Unless you can shock us all. Let us know in the comments below. 0 CommentsSee More: Dallas Cowboys Roster