10 2002: Cowboys make Spurrier eats his words LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 27: Head coach Steve Spurrier of the Washington Redskins walks off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 27, 2003 at the Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland. The Eagles defeated the Redskins 31-7. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) Washington’s first year coach Steve Spurrier stoked the flames before the season when he said he would give the first game ball from a victory over the Cowboys to then owner Dan Snyder. This wouldn’t turn out to be the game for Spurrier to present his gift. The Cowboys came from down 10 points to win the game 27-20, behind a big rushing day for running back Emmitt Smith, and a Pick-Six from safety Roy Williams. This contest was also memorable for the blocked field goal that led to a gruesome broken nose for Washington punter/holder Bryan Barker. 9 2006: Romo dominates the Buccaneers Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images In Tony Romo’s first career Thanksgiving Day start, the young signal caller had one of his best games, throwing for 306 yards and five touchdown passes. Romo threw two scores apiece to wide receiver Terry Glenn and RB Marion Barber, with the other touchdown going to WR Terrell Owens. The 38-10 blowout was the team’s biggest Turkey Day win since 1992 and it gave the Cowboys a 7-4 record. It was also the fifth win in six starts for Romo. 8 2011: Last-second field goal beats Dolphins Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports The Cowboys entered the contest on a three-game winning streak but found themselves trailing the Miami Dolphins by six heading into the fourth quarter. Romo gave the Cowboys the lead with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Laurent Robinson, but th Dolphins managed to get it back on a field goal. Dallas got the ball back late and mounted a 10-play, 54-yard drive that set up kicker Dan Bailey’s game-winning 28-yard field goal. The Cowboys won 20-19 to keep their momentum going in a season where the team ultimately faded late and missed the playoffs. 7 2012: RGIII dominates the Cowboys Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images Washington rookie Robert Griffin entered the game as one of the game’s best rookie QBs, and he put on a show in the 38-31 win over the Cowboys. Griffin threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns in a dominating performance. At halftime, Washington led 28-3, but Romo, WR Dez Bryant and the Cowboys would mount a furious comeback that fell short. Romo threw three second half scores, two of which went to Bryant, but it wasn’t enough to outduel the rookie sensation. 6 2013: Murray carries Cowboys over the Raiders Nov 28, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Dallas had to scratch and claw to beat the lowly Raiders in this Thanksgiving Day game, and the effort was led by RB DeMarco Murray. The passing game wasn’t much of a factor, but Murray ran for 67 yards and had three rushing touchdowns to help give the team a 31-24 win. The Cowboys were down 21-7 late in the first half but managed to climb back into the game with a Murray score before the end of the half. Murray’s third touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter put the Cowboys ahead for good. 5 2014: Eagles crush Cowboys Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports The schedule makers did the Cowboys no favors in this game, giving Jerry Jones’ team a Sunday night game on the road before coming home on a short week to play the rival Philadelphia Eagles. This was a battle for supremacy in the NFC East and the Eagles left the contest in first place. The Eagles were up 14-0 in the first quarter and never looked back against the sluggish Cowboys. Romo had a rough game, while Eagles RB LeSean McCoy ran for 159 yards and a score in the win. A few weeks later the Cowboys would get their revenge and essentially win the division, but this was an ugly Turkey Day beatdown. 4 2016: Rookies lead the way for Cowboys Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images The Cowboys came into the matchup winners of nine straight behind the dynamic rookie duo of QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott. The first-year stars didn’t disappoint as both accounted for two scores apiece as the Cowboys won 31-26. Prescott threw for a touchdown and ran one in, while Elliott rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. The win gave the Cowboys a 10-game winning streak as the team hadn’t lost since the opening week of the season. 3 2018: Cowboys, Cooper overtake Washington Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images The two rivals came into the game neck and neck in standings, but the Cowboys won the game easily behind an incredible performance from WR Amari Cooper. Prescott threw for 289 yards, most of which went to Cooper, and two touchdowns in the win. Cooper caught eight passes for 180 yards and both scores, one of which came from 90 yards out. On the ground Elliott ran for 121 yards for his third straight 100-yard rushing game and added a touchdown as well. The win came in the middle of a resurgent season where the Cooper trade propelled the Cowboys to a division championship after a 3-5 start, while Washington tailed off and finished 7-9. 2 2021: Assistant comes back to beat Cowboys Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Not all Thanksgiving games have happy endings. In 2021, when the Cowboys were on their way to an NFC East title, they met up with the Raiders again, and this time it didn’t break Dallas’ way. The Raiders under interim coach and former Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia came in as underdogs and dominated a flustered Dallas defense that had

Cowboys former 1st-round pick finally showing a pulse after much maligned beginning Mike Crum The Dallas Cowboys selected defensive tackle Mazi Smith out of Michigan with pick No. 26 of the 2023 draft to the delight of many, including star edge rusher Micah Parsons. After a poor rookie season held back by weight loss, a lousy get-off, and adjusting to a new scheme, Smith hoped to bounce back under Mike Zimmer this season. In the first nine weeks of the season, things looked like they hadn’t changed much for Smith. He had a single outstanding performance against the New York Giants, a genuinely tanking team, in their first meeting in Week 4. Smith’s sole Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade over 80 was that week, but he was objectively a bust in all other instances. In that time, Smith had one game over 55 in overall defensive grade and one over 60 in run defense. His average was 35.2 overall PFF grade and 38 in run defense. Things look to have turned the corner for Smith though, as he’s strung together several improved outings in a row. In Weeks 10 through 12, Smith had a 55 or higher overall defensive grade in all three games, two of them over 60. His run defense grades have all been over 60, with two of those over 70. His average overall grade was 62.9, and his run defense average was 70.5. That 70.5-run defense grade would put him in the top 15 in the league this year. While Pro Football Focus grades are an essential tool for evaluation, they don’t tell the entire story. Smith has had the production to back up those improved marks. Seven of Smith’s 19 tackles have come in the last three weeks. Four of his eight assists and six of his 14 stops have as well. These numbers still don’t scream first-round pick, but they show improvement in his second season. Smith has had his top three games this year against division opponents, and the Giants are next up. This could be the week Smith registers his first sack, and in a lost season for Dallas due to injuries, keeping an eye on him and hoping to see a starting-caliber player in the final five games, could change everything this offseason for Dallas. You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or YouTube on the Across the Cowboys Podcast. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Cowboys fans bickering over proper tanking etiquette have new goalposts in Week 13 reidhanson Arguments among  Cowboys Nation is nothing new. Dallas fans will go back-and-forth about nearly anything. They argue which star player should be re-signed and which should be traded. They argue about which coaches are helping or hurting. They argue about the ineptitude of the front office, the realness of the salary cap, and the viability of aged players. Hell, they even argue about curtains. What the Cowboys fanbase doesn’t seem to argue about is whether or not they want the team to win. Until now, of course. Heading into Week 12 the Cowboys stood 3-7, their franchise quarterback was out for the season and their odds at making the playoffs stood less than one percent. The situation moved many fans to low key focus on next season. Dallas had an inside track on a top 10 draft pick and, given the sorry state of affairs, the potential to move into the top five. The thinking was/is if the Cowboys can stink bad enough, they may be able to snag a blue-chip prospect in the draft. The only thing they’d have to do is just keep losing. The logic was sound even if the heart was disgraceful. Well, if the Cowboys were supposed to tank this past Sunday, someone clearly forgot to tell the team. They put out possibly their best effort since the win in Pittsburgh, showing out on both sides of the ball, even if the occasional snafu had a way of popping up a few too many times. The surprise win over the rival Commanders sparked argument after argument in many online communities. Those wanting to tank for a better draft pick were upset at the seemingly meaningless win. ESPN’s recently updates playoff odds still had Dallas locked in as a ridiculous longshot (<1% chance) and top prospects like Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan no longer seemed like realistic options. Playoff hopes technically stayed alive, but at what cost? On the other side of the argument fans were appalled at the notion of cheering against the Cowboys. The team plays to win and fans cheer to win. Anything to the contrary is unacceptable. Obviously, players don’t tank. They’re playing for their jobs, incentives and reputations. They don’t care about draft picks. Coaches, even those likely on the way out, don’t tank. They’re coaching for their next job and coaching for pride. They couldn’t care less about the draft situation they leave the next head coach. Fans are different. While players and coaches often bounce from team to team, fans are in it for the long haul. For better or for worse, they pass on their fandom to the next generation, making the situation far more complicated for them. At the end of the day, it’s an argument about nothing. Fan support from JoeDog24 on X doesn’t impact the team’s ability to win one iota. The players and coaches will try to win regardless of what’s in the best long-term interests of the team. What’s smart isn’t always what’s noble just like what’s noble isn’t always smart. This test in fan etiquette likely isn’t going away this season. In fact, Thursday’s Thanksgiving tilt against the 2-9 New York Giants who didn’t just bench, but released their starting QB, will be a huge moment in draft placing. Another win will keep hope alive and it’s safe to say even once hope is mathematically eliminated, plenty of fans will still cheer for their beloved silver and blue. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Jerry Jones claims he isn’t ruling out an extension for Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy angeltorres Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took to the airwaves Tuesday for his weekly radio interview on 105.3 The Fan. His mood was obviously more upbeat than it has been over the last month and a half as Dallas was able to snap their five-game losing streak that wrapped around their bye week, with a 34-26 victory over rival Washington. Among the several topics discussed was the future of Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. It’s widely assumed McCarthy, who is on the last year of his five-year contract, is a dead man walking; finishing out the contract before a new coach is recruited and the direction of the organization changes once again. But the mercurial owner certainly knows how to keep a story alive as he hinted that McCarthy could see an extension this coming offseason. McCarthy resumed his coaching career in Dallas after being fired by the Packers, winning six games during the pandemic and dealt with injuries to many players including quarterback Dak Prescott. He entered the 2024 season with three straight 12-win seasons, but has failed to get past the divisional round of the playoffs in any of those campaigns. This year, McCarthy’s offense has sputtered and any questions about him giving up play-calling were met with a swift and stout rebuttal. Despite the down year, any thoughts of landing a top-10 draft pick by tanking the remainder of the season will have to wait as the owner still has hopes of making the playoffs. Despite employing numerous All-Pro players along the offensive line during his tenure, the Cowboys run game has gradually fizzled and all the pressure was placed on quarterback Dak Prescott; similar to how McCarthy’s 13-year tenure in Green Bay with future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers ended. A renewed run game along with more modern philosophies on both sides of the ball are theories a new coach could bring to Dallas in order to replace the short passing game meant to supplement the run in McCarthy’s Texas version of his West Coast offense. While McCarthy will do everything he can to retain his current job, Cowboys fans may not be ready to endure another season of the Pittsburgh native and appear ready to move on to a more modern approach. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Don’t let the smooth taste fool you. Mike McCarthy’s club may have pulled off the upset on Sunday, but that victory didn’t come close to changing the fact he and his staff will be allowed to walk or be fired come mid-January. The Dallas Cowboys are still 4-7 on the season and halting a five-game skid is hardly enough to move he needle after how things have unfolded so far in 2024. At this point, winning out and ending 10-7 probably still wouldn’t be enough, not without making the NFC Championship game with a backup quarterback. That’s how down bad things feel around Dallas and with owner Jerry Jones’ clear approach to the offseason. Yes, we’ve heard what Jones said. No, we don’t believe him. McCarthy was playing out the string, and continues to do so. So the Replacement Rankings forge ahead, looking at the top candidates heading into the 2025 offseason. This week, a new wrinkle, tracking where the candidate was in last week’s rankings. Honorable Mentions: Liam Coen, OC, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Last Week: Not ranked Dan Pritchard, Cincinnati Bengals OC | Last Week: Honorable Mention Ryan Grubb, Seattle Seahawks OC | Last Week: Honorable Mention Ejiro Evero, Carolina Panthers, DC | Last Week: Honorable Mention Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers, DC | Last Week: Honorable Mention Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos, DC | Last Week: Honorable Mention Lincoln Riley, USC, HC | Last Week: Honorable Mention Adam Stenovich, Green Bay Packers OC | Last Week: Honorable Mention University of Georgia head coach Kirby Smart | Last Week: 12 12 Comanders OC Kliff Kingsbury | Last Week: 6 Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images It appears that Kingsbury’s time away after the disaster in Arizona has done him a ton of good. The offense he’s put together in DC for rookie Jayden Daniels is quite impressive and a stark contrast to what he was doing with Kyler Murray in the desert. That transformation may lead to him having a second opportunity not always afforded, but the recent Washington slide has happened behind an injured Daniels and an offense that hasn’t been able to work around those constraints. Things have bogged down in Washington (politic pun intended) and Kingsbury may need an Act 2 before he returns to the head coaching ranks. 11 Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore | Last Week: Honorable Mention Sep 26, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (right) laughs with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports One name that is rarely discussed but probably should be is the former heir apparent Kellen Moore. Moore was Jason Garrett 2.0; brought in to the coaching staff as a wunderkind who the Jones family thought a lot of. He carried over as offensive coordinator from Garrett to McCarthy. Being shown the door in 2023 after a playoff failure as McCarthy vowed taking back over play calling would take the offense to a new level. It did, for a year, before bottoming out in 2024, even before all of the injuries hit. Meanwhile Moore attached himself to Brandon Staley’s sinking ship in L.A. for a year, but has revitalized his reputation thanks to Saquon Barkley’s arrival in Phiadelphia. The Eagles are sitting at 9-2 with an offense that is focusing on running to set up the pass. 10 Minnesota VIkings DC Brian Flores | Last Week: 11 Jan 9, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores watches from the sideline during the second quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Will Flores get another shot at a head coach gig? He was dumped by the Dolphins in their owner’s “I’m rich I can do what I want” attempt to lure Sean Payton and Tom Brady to South Beach. The revelation about trying to have a coach to tank games may have pulled the curtain back on the innerworkings of the league, but it likely didn’t do Flores much favor. What has though, is the job he’s done righting the ship in Minnesota with their defense. 9 Former NFL head coach Mike Vrabel | Last Week: 9 Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel reacts to a Titans penalty against the Seattle Seahawks during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. Vrabel was fired by owner Amy Adams Strunk Monday after having two losing seasons back-to-back. Vrabel is a defensive-minded head coach who was able to achieve strong levels of success in Tennessee with a veteran QB who wasn’t well regarded (Ryan Tannehill) prior to their time together. Known as a disciplinarian, pairing him with Dak Prescott would require finding the next big thing as offensive coordinator. 8 Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick | Last Week: 8 Sep 30, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline as they take on the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports For better or worse, the clubhouse leader. Belichick is a huge Prescott fan, Jerry Jones is a huge supporter of retreads and it would be interesting to see if given a competent front office… oh wait. 7 Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith | Last Week: 10 Nov 2, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith at press conference at the PSD Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Grabbing from a fruitful tree is always a wise idea, and snatching Smith from under Mike McDaniel as part of the Kyle Shanahan limb system seems like a wise call. Dallas rarely uses motion at the snap and isn’t particularly good at it; and that’s literally the forte of Smith. Doesn’t currently

Cooper Rush can actually manage the game Geoff Burke-Imagn Images In last week’s loss, we learned that quarterback Cooper Rush couldn’t carry the offense to a victory. Having Rush throw too much while ignoring the running game was a recipe for disaster. McCarthy learned from his mistake and the game plan against the Commanders featured more of the rushing attack. The run-pass splits were more evenly dispersed, and Rush responded with a strong game, going 24-32, throwing for 247 yards and two scores. This was the quarterback who had played so well and won five of his first six starts with the Cowboys; he was in control and comfortable in the pocket, taking what the defense was giving him. Rush played mistake free and didn’t turn the ball over, which is the path to victory with a backup QB. When Rush has help and manages the game, he can be a winning player. The 32 passes and 28 rushing attempts were a recipe for pulling off the upset. McCarthy’s team still has some fight Patrick Smith/Getty Images Over the last five weeks, it was hard to see the fight in these Cowboys, but that wasn’t the case in the Week 12 win. McCarthy’s team showed resilience by taking the negative plays and pushing through against a good Commanders team. Bad teams usually don’t fight, force three turnovers and sack the QB four times. Or hold one of the better offenses to just nine points through three quarters. Teams that have given up don’t allow an opponent to narrow the gap on a double-digit lead to a one-score game late and then return a kickoff for a touchdown. Answering scores with scores is something good teams do. Bad teams do have poor effort on 86-yard touchdown plays when all they have to do is make one or two tackles to win the game, but that didn’t stop the Cowboys from finishing off the game with a second kickoff return for a score in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys had ample opportunity to pack in the game, and the season, in Week 12, but they didn’t. McCarthy’s team fought for him and the win, which shows they haven’t quit on their lame duck coach. KaVontae Turpin is special Peter Casey-Imagn Images For the second week in a row, the Cowboys got a lift from KaVontae Turpin. In Week 12, the big contribution came on a play he began by botching the kickoff. After a touchdown to make it a one score game late, the Commanders had time to get a stop and get the ball back with a chance to tie or win the game. After fumbling the kick, Turpin made a spin move and then found daylight for a 99-yard return for a touchdown and put the Cowboys up 10 points late. Turpin also had two other big returns to give the Cowboys good field position, providing the offense with a boost. The pint-sized return man continues to make plays when the balls in his hands, and Turpin puts the special in Dallas’ special teams. Makeshift offensive line holds up well Geoff Burke-Imagn Images When it was announced the Cowboys would be without their two starting guards due to injury, very few people could have expected the offensive line would play so well. Yet the makeshift unit held up in a tough matchup against a Commanders defense that has a formidable pass rush. Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass acquitted themselves very well at starters, as did Asim Richards, who was sent in for left tackle Tyler Guyton in the second half after the rookie was called for a few penalties. Rush was only sacked once and was rarely pressured. The Cowboys have drafted offensive linemen in the premium rounds recently, but it was a couple of undrafted free agents and a fifth-round pick that helped lead the way. Young players step up Peter Casey-Imagn Images There’s a saying in the NFL that goes “next man up” and the Cowboys embodied that mantra in Week 12. With several veterans out, a team that was undermanned turned to their youth to step up and beat the Commanders, and they came through. Young tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford had nice outings, which included a Schoonmaker 22-yards core. Third-year wide receiver Jalen Tolbert had a touchdown as well. The aforementioned young offensive line came through, as did Josh Butler making his first start at cornerback. Butler had a team-high 12 tackles, had three passes defensed and his game included a sack. Safety Juanyeh Thomas had a solid game on defense, and he also had a touchdown on special teams, while Israel Mukuamu sealed the win with an interception. There were some young players who made a name for themselves and stated their case for more playing time even when the injured players return. Jerry Jones continues to talk about needing the young players the step up, and the Cowboys got that in the Week 12 win over the Commanders.

This Cowboys specialist has punched his ticket to Pro Bowl in Week 12 K.D. Drummond It hasn’t been a particularly fun season for the Dallas Cowboys and their players. Starting out 3-2, the club lost several contributors over the first month of the season and that led to a cascading record that turned into 3-7. Along that five-game slide, QB Dak Prescott was lost for the year and the season went down the drain. From an individual perspective it becomes hard for players to stand out amongst the sullenness of the organization, but Sunday’s electrifying win allowed one player in particular to emerge from the doldrums. Return specialist and (unfortunately only) part-time receiver Kavontae Turpin punched his ticket to the Pro Bowl. VOTE FOR THE PRO BOWL HERE In the game’s fourth quarter, Dallas extended their lead to 20-9 when Cooper Rush found Jake Ferguson wide open over the middle for a 22-yard score. Cowboys fans are used to the bottom falling out from under any positive play, and sure enough the Commanders offense woke up and they quickly marched down the field to score their own touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff with three minutes remaining and a 20-17 advantage, Washington’s Austin Seibert kicked it off to Turpin in the field of play at the five-yard line. Turpin muffed it; the ball squirted through his hands and legs to the goal line. But then, magic. Turpin scooped up the ball at the one, turned back upfield and saw magic in the middle. He went into Madden spin mode at the nine-yard line and it was dust. Turpin has long been the victim of opposing teams not kicking in his direction. After returning this punt for a touchdown opening week, it’s been a ton of frustration as kickers are choosing hang time instead of distance to make sure he doesn’t get a good opportunity to embarrass them. Turpin’s opportunities are limited. He has only returned 31 on the season and has now scored twice, and is the only NFL returner with both a kick and punt return score this season. Turpin is actually the only player in the NFL with a kick, punt and catch touchdown each at least 60 yards, and has three plays where he’s reached speeds that rank in the top 10 across the league. Starting to be mentioned with some of the best return men in NFL history through less than three seasons, Turpin is a lock to make this year’s Pro Bowl and it’s only Week 12. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

‘The seas parted’: Cowboys’ unlikely hero could build off key TD catch Todd Brock Facing 3rd-and-5 from just outside the red zone, nursing a slim 13-9 lead with five minutes and change to play, the Cowboys offense was hoping for a dagger. A field goal- no sure thing this past Sunday- would extend their margin, but it would keep Washington within a single score. The Commanders, understandably, focused on CeeDee Lamb, far and away the primary target within the Dallas passing attack all afternoon and season. Instead, Cooper Rush went a different direction, arcing a pass down the middle of the field to a wide-open Luke Schoonmaker. He had to extend his six-foot-five-inch frame and even leave his feet just to collect the throw, but the moment proved to be massive. Not just in the Week 12 win, but maybe within the tight end’s football life. “Well, the seas parted, right? I just needed to catch the ball,” he explained to reporters after the Cowboys’ thrilling 34-26 win. “Gosh, I didn’t even know what to do after that moment, but it was the best feeling.” Schoonmaker’s score- his third catch of the afternoon and the third touchdown of his career- actually marked the first touchdown reception for a Dallas tight end all season. “Someone needed to get a touchdown this year, so it was great to have that for the room.” The Michigan man implied he was doing it for his position mates: third-stringer Brevyn Spann-Ford, practice squadder Princeton Fant, and John Stephens Jr., who’s been on injured reserve since last month, as well as Jake Ferguson, the concussed starter he was subbing for on nearly two-thirds of the offense’s Week 12 snaps. “That’s what’s great about the room, is the competition and the chemistry,” Schoonmaker continued. “Every day, we’re going out there. Lunda [Wells, Cowboys tight end coach] is working us hard as ever. Just credit to him for each and every one of us, just taking the practice field to the game field, and that’s certainly helped everybody rise to the occasion and not have any dropoff at all.” But coming through in that fourth-quarter gotta-have-it moment could well prove to be a turning point in Schoonmaker’s young career trajectory. Since Ferguson went down in the first quarter of last week’s game with a concussion, Schoonmaker has been tasked with stepping up. And he’s made the most of his newfound opportunities: in 87 offensive snaps over the past two games, the 26-year-old has caught nine of 14 targets for 111 yards (by far his most productive two-game stretch as a pro)… and Sunday’s all-important score. “It’s one thing to make plays,” head coach Mike McCarthy said of Schoonmaker in his postgame press conference, “but when you start making big plays, critical plays in games, it’s a whole different level, a big chunk of confidence.” [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Of course, Sunday’s fourth-quarter score ended up not being the definitive death blow that the Cowboys were looking for; there were five more insane minutes of football- and another 31 points still to be rung up- before the final gun. “I didn’t even want to watch at some points,” Schoonmaker said of the final flurry of back-and-forth action. The backup tight end still wasn’t thinking of his own individual growth even after the Cowboys pulled out the improbable win; he was far more excited about the team coming together- even as a mostly-ragtag bunch of injury replacements- to snap a five-game losing streak. “That’s really what was said last night going into today, like, ‘Let’s get a win. Let’s play all together and everybody have each other’s backs, and let’s play this whole game.’ What a way to win today. Just the contribution all around was amazing.” Schoonmaker’s timely contribution was huge, and just maybe a foundation to build on for the 2023 second-round draft pick who’s been used sparingly over just 28 regular-season games. His career numbers- 25 receptions for 232 yards- certainly don’t look like those of the game’s top tight ends. He’s already labeled a bust by a contingent of the fanbase who expects every Day Two selection to be an instant star. But for right now, it’s one game, one day, one rep at a time for Schoonmaker, who was thankful that his one touchdown of 2024 came when it did. “Oh my gosh. Just to win felt amazing,” he grinned. “The fact that we won just kind of takes over everything else. That felt great. Took a little breath, and now we forge forward.” The suddenly-buoyed Cowboys… and an emerging Schoonmaker, too. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.