The Cowboys face their toughest challenge to date in Week 6. The Lions comes to town from Detroit at 3-1, well rested and looking for revenge. Coming off the bye they haven’t played a game since the month of September. Because of that, expect the Lions to be ultra prepared for the 3-2 Cowboys, challenging them on both sides of the ball. The Lions are a one of the most high-powered offenses in the league this season. Ben Johnson’s offense features many of the staples that have traditionally given Dallas fits. If the Cowboys can’t overcome their many injuries and play defense with tenacity and discipline, the game has the potential to get out of hand. The Cowboys will be hard pressed to stop Detroit’s two-headed monster at running back. With 0.093 EPA per play and a 50.8% success rate, Detroit ranks third in the NFL in rushing. Much of that success falls on design and running back play. It’s unlikely the Cowboys can stop their run-heavy approach, but they will need to at least control it to have a chance on Sunday. For the Cowboys to win they need to turn this into a shootout. The Lions are mortal on defense so Dallas has to take advantage of opportunities and get points on the board early and often. On defense the Cowboys have to play smart. They will be challenged by Johnson’s play design and will have to execute between the ears before anything. Which brings things to the first key matchup of Week 6. Cowboys LBs vs motion and play action . Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports The Detroit offense is something to aspire for to Cowboys fans. It’s an attack that leans on a highly productive running game, schemes that open big plays downfield and uses all the modern cheat codes of today’s NFL offenses. Johnson, the Lions offensive coordinator, is one of the hottest names on the future head coach market right now and the Cowboys front office may very well be experiencing a live first-hand interview for their next head coach. The biggest challenge for the Dallas defense will be handling the action up front with their front-seven; particularly at linebacker. Obviously, the defensive line play must be adequate to give the second level a chance, but the onus really falls on the LBs to make all the right moves. Motion, play-action and run-pass option plays put Cowboys linebackers in tremendous conflict. If they bite on one thing, they get hit with the other. Motion at the snap forces defenders to switch in real time. It can change coverage assignments in the passing game and gap assignments in the running game. Defenders have to do this in an instant since it’s often at the snap. They don’t have time to communicate it therefore the entire defense must diagnose and execute individually. It’s a task that’s increasingly difficult if Eric Kendricks, the Cowboys veteran base defense LB, misses the game. Cowboys outside WRs vs Lions boundary CBs (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) It has to be a shootout and the best way to achieve that is by attacking the Lions on the boundary. CeeDee Lamb had a monster game last meeting, putting up 13 receptions for 227 yards and a touchdown. He doesn’t need to have that again but he does need to be plenty productive. He’ll also need help, so the task largely falls on Jalen Tolbert to back up and build on his breakout game in Pittsburgh last week. The Lions are built from the inside out in the secondary. While Amik Robertson and Brian Branch make things difficult inside, Terrion Arnold and Carlton Davis provide opportunities outside. As long as Prescott can manage their ball-hawking safety Kerby Joseph, he should be able to win consistently against the Lions man coverage outside. Aidan Hutchinson vs Guyton/Steele Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports The Lions may not be aware of this but there’s some bad blood between the Cowboys and their top pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson. In their last meeting Hutchinson deployed a drop hip takedown of Prescott on two occasions. The dangerous tackling technique has since been outlawed but memories of the borderline dirty play remain fresh in the Cowboys’ minds. Hutchinson is off to a blazing start in 2024 and currently grades as the NFL’s best edge player per Pro Football Focus. The Cowboys offensive tackle situation is less than ideal so expect plenty of help to be sent Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele’s way. Unlike T.J. Watt who the Cowboys faced last week, Hutchinson switches sides to exploit matchups. Prescott will likely be rolling plays away from whatever side Hutchinson is on and in moments he can’t, the Lion’s pass rusher will likely be met with double teams, chips and some uncomfortable low blocks. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Conclusion . Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports With so many key players out on the Dallas defense it’s going to be extremely difficult to stop this Detroit offense. Mazi Smith and Linval Joseph will need to be ultra stout inside and Osa Odighizuwa will have to again be up to the task of being the Cowboys’ top pass rusher. The bad blood previously mentioned doesn’t just flow one way but both ways. The Cowboys have won the last six contests between the two teams. Prescott has never lost to the Detroit franchise and many of the Dallas victories have come by slim margins and controversial calls. They want to beat America’s Team in a very big way and this time the Cowboys are a significant underdog. Related articles Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Cowboys vs Lions Final Injury Report: Kendricks, Parsons, Bland updates are worrisome
Cowboys vs Lions Final Injury Report: Kendricks, Parsons, Bland updates are worrisome K.D. Drummond The Dallas Cowboys have a serious problem when it comes to the injury front, specifically on their defense. Already down a ton of talent at the edge position, the attrition has now hit the linebacker room. Not only that, but there are renewed concerns about the health of the secondary, after the week started off on a great foot. Pun intended. On Friday, the Cowboys ruled out both DE Micah Parsons and LB Eric Kendricks. The club had moved DE DeMarcus Lawrence to IR last week and rookie DE Marshawn Kneeland to IR earlier in the week. Parsons will now have two weeks more to recover from his high-ankle sprain in hopes he’s able to return to face off against the San Francisco 49ers following the bye week. Meanwhile, DaRon Bland’s activation from IR was put in doubt when he sat out Friday’s practice and was given a game designation of questionable, along with his backup, rookie Caelen Carson, who has missed two straight games with a shoulder injury. Here’s the full practice report from both teams. Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons, Ankle | OUT Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Did Not Participate CB DaRon Bland, Foot | QUESTIONABLE Wednesday, Thursday: Full Participant | Friday: DNP CB Caelen Carson, Shoulder | QUESTIONABLE Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Full Participant CB Trevon Diggs, Ankle | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Friday: Full Participant | Thursday: DNP OT Tyler Guyton, Knee | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Full Participant Safety Markquese Bell, Illness | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday: DNP | Thursday, Friday: Full Linebacker Eric Kendricks, Calf/Shoulder | OUT Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: DNP Safety Malik Hooker, Neck | NO DESIGNATION Thursday, Friday: Full Linebacker Nick Vigil, Foot | QUESTIONABLE Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: DNP LB Marist Liufau, Quad | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Full Participant G Zack Martin, Neck | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Thursday: DNP | Friday: Full Detroit Lions DB Brian Branch, Illness | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Full G Christian Mahogany, Illness | OUT Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Full C Frank Ragnow, Pectoral | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Full Safety Kerby Joseph | NO DESIGNATION Thursday: Limited | Friday: Full Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys Headlines: Defensive leader to sit, run game on record bad streak, were expectations too high on Guyton?
Eric Kendricks to miss Lions game with multiple injuries :: The Mothership Link Another Cowboys defender will be watching from the sideline. Kendricks, the veteran linebacker who wears the green dot for the unit and leads the team in tackles, will sit Sunday with calf and shoulder injuries. Nick Vigil, Kendricks’s backup, is questionable to play and did not practice Friday. Damone Clark, Buddy Johnson, Brock Mogensen, and Darius Harris could all see increased playing time as a result. Updates: Bland (DNP) listed as questionable :: The Mothership Link Bland did not practice Friday, after being a full participant Wednesday and Thursday. There is a good chance he plays versus Detroit, even in a limited capacity. Caelen Carson should be back after missing two games. Amani Oruwariye has one more practice-squad elevation remaining. Frank Ragnow off injury report, set to play vs. Cowboys :: ProFootballTalk Link The Lions get a key piece of their O-line back when they visit Arlington on Sunday. The starting center will play Week 6 after missing just one game with a pectoral injury. Ragnow suffered the injury Sept. 22 and had the benefit of the bye week to recover. Behind Enemy Lions: Need to know on Cowboys LBs, Detroit’s guru OC :: Cowboys Wire Link Cowboys Wire and Lions Wire had a chat prior to Week 6’s tilt. They revisited last year’s tackle-eligible snafu, previewed a resurgent Dallas linebacker group, and discussed the one thing that will probably keep the Lions’ creative OC Ben Johnson from becoming the next Cowboys head coach. Micah Parsons on Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions game: ‘This is a rivalry’ :: Detroit Free Press Link Last year’s end-of-game debacle has helped turn this matchup into a new rivalry. “Dan Campbell is definitely looking for his look-back. You kind of saw his frustration,” Parsons said on his podcast. Recent comments by Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown about Jourdan Lewis- and Lewis’s vow that “we’re going to see what’s real and what’s not”- will only add fuel to the fire. Rico Dowdle giving hope to Cowboys’ struggling rushing game? :: ESPN Link The Cowboys have now gone 19 straight games without a 100-yard rusher, the longest streak in franchise history. (Tony Pollard last did it in Week 3 last season.) The Lions might not be the best defense for the Cowboys to face as they try to turn the tide; Detroit is giving up just 90.8 rushing yards per game, fourth best in the NFL. 2024 NFL Week 6 bold predictions: CeeDee Lamb outproduces Jared Goff! Daniel Jones, Will Levis roll :: NFL.com Link Maurice Jones-Drew believes Detroit will struggle coming out of the bye, while Dak Prescott shines. In fact, the ex-Jag’s bold prediction has the Prescott-to-Lamb connection surpassing Jared Goff’s passing yards to everybody on the Lions roster. Troy Aikman compares Cowboys’ Dak Prescott to Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers :: Dallas Morning News Link The lofty comparison came after Aikman was asked if he thinks a QB should be responsible for raising the level of his wide receivers or if a QB is only as good as the players around him. “A quarterback can put the ball in places [where] you don’t have to be a great receiver in order to be able to make the play, or you’re able to get into plays that gives your team the best chance,” the Hall of Famer said. “We’ve seen it from Patrick Mahomes. We’ve seen it from Aaron Rodgers. Over the years, we’ve seen it from a lot of guys. I believe we’ve seen it from Dak as well.” Jake Ferguson quickly becoming Cowboys No. 2 option in passing game :: Cowboys Wire Link The 2023 Pro Bowl tight end has quietly posted a rather impressive season thus far in 2024. In just three complete games, he’s averaging over 8 targets, 5.6 receptions and 71 yards per game. Last week in Pittsburgh, he led all Dallas pass catchers who had three or more targets in success rate (71 percent) and in total EPA (5.4 EPA). And his versatility allows Mike McCarthy to use creative personnel packages without tipping off the offense’s intentions before the snap. 5 NFL rookies falling short of early expectations in 2024 :: The 33rd Team Link Tyler Guyton makes this list, though it’s pointed out that he had absurdly high expectations placed on him as he made the switch from right tackle to left tackle while also transitioning from college ball to the pros. Yet some are panicking because Guyton has not gotten off to the same kind of immediate dominant start that fans remember seeing from Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, and Tyler Smith. Mike McCarthy praises the secret weapon behind Cooper Beebe’s early success :: SI.com Link “His snapping improved from training camp around 272 percent,” McCarthy said this week, “and we credit his mother for that.” Tamara Beebe became an internet sensation after video surfaced of her taking shotgun snaps from Cooper in the family’s backyard once the Cowboys made it clear they expected the rookie, who played guard at Kansas State, to make the transition to center. Beebe has only allowed two sacks, one hit, and five pressures, and he has committed just two penalties through five games. Former Cowboys draft pick back on market :: Mike Garafolo
Cowboys could be looking at their next HC in Detroit’s Ben Johnson
Cowboys could be looking at their next HC in Detroit’s Ben Johnson reidhanson The Cowboys might be getting a sneak peek at their next head coach when the Lions come to Dallas on Sunday. Week 6 doesn’t just offer a matchup of NFC playoff hopefuls, but it also delivers them a firsthand audition of the hottest coordinator in the NFL. Ben Johnson, Detroit’s highly productive offensive coordinator, has fast become one of the most respected offensive minds in the NFL. He’s also a coveted head coach candidate who will likely headline a 2025 list of coaching prospects that includes the likes of Bill Belichick, Bobby Slowik and Mike Vrabel. What Johnson lacks in experience he makes up for play design and innovation. After taking over their offense in 2022, Johnson elevated the Lions from 24th to sixth (in EPA) in his first season. He did so by simplifying reads for his quarterback, using heavy motion at the snap and mixing in play-action and RPOs along the way. While not a true disciple of the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, Johnson uses many of the same cheat codes that have been known to elevate offensive performance. The Cowboys just so happen to be stumbling through the 2024 season with their entire coaching staff on expiring deals. After Mike McCarthy and company failed to get team over the proverbial playoff hump, they are a franchise positioned to reset in the leadership ranks. No one can definitively say what the future holds for McCarthy, but it stands to reason Johnson is a top a candidate to replace him as the Cowboys sit uncommitted. The Cowboys seem to favor coaches with head coaching experience but aren’t necessarily married to it. Jason Garrett was a first time NFL head coach with Dallas, as was Dave Campo and Chan Gailey. Jerry Jones typically hires offensive minded coaches which gives someone like Johnson a leg up on candidates like Belichick and Vrabel. In 2024 Johnson, once again, has his Lions offense sitting in the top five. They are an offense built around their line that features a well-balanced attack. They look for ways to open up their top receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown downfield and they make regular use of their stud tight end Sam LaPorta. With CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys also have an elite WR in their ranks. They have a weaponized TE in Jake Ferguson and while their offensive line remains a work in progress, they are probably only a year of two behind Detroit in their development and degree of dominance. The Lions are a far more talented offense, but the similarities are there and with Dak Prescott locked in for the foreseeable future, Dallas should be an attractive destination for an offensive head coach who could potentially have his pick of jobs this winter. What Johnson has done for Jared Goff has been stunning. Thrown in as a salary dump of sorts in the Matthew Stafford trade, Goff wasn’t expected to be a long-term answer at the QB in Detroit, yet under Johnson, Goff has turned into a highly effective weapon. It’s tantalizing to think about what Johnson could do with someone like Prescott. It’s safe to say the Joneses have a pretty good idea what the future hold for McCarthy. They likely have their eyes on a few possible replacements this season and it’s a pretty safe bet Johnson is one of those. On Sunday afternoon they get a firsthand look at that candidate, all from the comfort of the owner’s suite. It’s a perfect opportunity to see what all the fuss is about. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Jake Ferguson quickly becoming Cowboys No. 2 option in passing game
Jake Ferguson quickly becoming Cowboys No. 2 option in passing game reidhanson The Cowboys’ passing offense is built around the brilliance of CeeDee Lamb. The fifth-year veteran from Oklahoma has fast become one of the best receivers in the NFL and represents the heart and soul of Dallas downfield attack. After Lamb is where things get interesting. The No. 2 option in Dallas was supposed to be veteran receiver Brandin Cooks. But a slow start to the season coupled with an untimely injury has landed the veteran on IR and out of the conversation. Jalen Tolbert, the “next man up” in this scenario, enjoyed a coming out party as the Cowboys new WR2. His seven receptions for 87 yards set career highs and his game-winning touchdown against the Steelers in the final seconds cemented his place in rivalry lore forever. For as promising as Tolbert is, it’s Jake Ferguson, the Cowboys’ tight end, who’s actually the No. 2 pass catching option for Dak Prescott. The 2023 Pro Bowler has quietly posted a rather impressive season thus far in 2024. It’s a testament to his continued development and nothing short of remarkable considering Ferguson has only played in three complete games this season. In those three games, he’s averaging over 8 targets, 5.6 receptions and 71 yards per game. In Week 5, Ferguson led all Dallas pass catchers who had three or more targets in success rate (71 percent) and in total EPA (5.4 EPA). He was frequently the secondary option Prescott turned to when Lamb was locked down and a means to exploit second level defenders who were more run-focused in nature. Ferguson’s ability to play inline (26.6% of the time), in the slot (61.9% of the time) and split out wide (8.6% of the time), makes him a valuable piece to the Cowboys offense. It allows Mike McCarthy to use creative personnel packages without tipping off the offense’s intensions before the snap. His run blocking has been steadily improving and his run after the catch ability has been inspiring to fans as well as teammates. Ferguson is already No. 2 in Dallas in target share and that’s with only playing three complete games this season. Tolbert is an ascending player who the Cowboys will need throughout this heart of the schedule. With Cooks out, Dallas will use a variety of players to fill that secondary WR spot opposite Lamb. KaVontae Turpin played a big part in Pittsburgh and Jalen Brooks made contributions of his own. Tolbert is top dog, but it may be a committee approach to that No. 2 WR spot going forward. At TE, Ferguson has the spot locked down, and as the No. 2 option on offense, it’s Ferguson who offers Prescott someone to lean on. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
The kids game Cowboys need to use in order to beat the Lions
The kids game Cowboys need to use in order to beat the Lions Mike Crum The Dallas Cowboys endured weather delays, a depleted roster, and survived playing one of the best defenses in football in order to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and creep above .500 in Week 5. Their reward? a revenge-fueled Detroit Lions sporting one of the NFL’s best offensive lines, two rigid running backs, and a top 10 team rested and ready off their bye week. Dallas sits behind the eight ball, thanks to the schedule and attrition. They’re playing a game of Uno against a one-card opponent with five cards and all four colors in their hand. They’re playing freeze tag with a nervous tick, Duck, Duck, Goose with their shoelaces tied together. Dallas is a home underdog for the second time in two AT&T games after ending last regular season with 16 straight home wins. But there is a strategy to pulling off an upset. The Cowboys are going to need to play keep away. Dallas will need to control this game on offense. Against the Steelers, they had three drives over four minutes long, including a 16-play, eight-minute drive in the fourth quarter. With all the injuries to the defense, the Cowboys are worn down. Chauncey Golston played 90% of the defensive snaps, and Osa Odighizuwa played 72%; they will struggle if they are out on the field for another 40 to 60 snaps. The Cowboys must extend drives, run the ball well, convert third downs, and most importantly finish drives in the end zone. Detroit hasn’t been a juggernaut on defense, ranking 15th in defensive DVOA. They’ve allowed 20 or more points in all but one game this year, and the Seattle Seahawks moved the ball all over them prior to their bye. Geno Smith threw for almost 400 yards, DK Metcalf had seven receptions for over 100 yards, and Kenneth Walker III ran for 80 yards on 12 attempts, with three scores. Smith and Zach Charbonnet each averaged over 7.5 yards per carry themselves. If Dallas can run the ball, limit possessions, and keep it a low-scoring contest, then their All-Pro quarterback might be able to pull off another upset victory. As good as the Cowboys’ offense can be, a shootout might be too much to ask of the defense this week. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys Headlines: Zack Martin has back injury, Elliott goes to coaches over usage, Dak unhappy over personal life invasion
Cowboys RG Zack Martin misses practice with a back injury :: ProFootballTalk Link Martin missed a second straight day of practice on Thursday. Wednesday was his usual load-management day, but now there’s a back injury listed on the report. Trevon Diggs missed Thursday’s work, too; his designation is for an ankle injury as well as illness. Linebackers Eric Kendricks and Nick Vigil both missed a second consecutive day. DaRon Bland ‘can’t wait’ for debut of Cowboys’ CB hydra with Diggs, Lewis :: The Mothership Link The three-headed CB monster of Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis has never taken the field with all three as starters. That might change Sunday, as Bland seems to be on track to return from foot fracture. “I feel pretty good, but as far as coming back, time will tell,” he said with a smile. Bland’s practice window opened on Wednesday; the team has until Oct. 30 to make an official decision on his status. Why has CeeDee Lamb’s production dropped in the second halves of Cowboys games? :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Link In the first halves of games, Lamb has hauled in a total of 21 receptions for 353 yards. After intermission, though, just four receptions for 25 yards. “What happens is we pop off early on and no one wants to see that in the second half of the game,” Lamb said on Thursday. “[Opponents] do a great job of making halftime adjustments. Nine times out of 10, I’m getting clouded. Kudos to them; they’re doing a great job of stopping the bleeding.” Lamb ripped Detroit last time they met, hauling in 13 receptions for a career-high 227 yards, including a 92-yard touchdown reception. The Cowboys’ run game showed signs of life — they need Rico Dowdle to keep building :: The Athletic Link Dowdle’s career day in Week 5 included better production after halftime. “When we had to run the ball in the second half, we were able to do that,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “That’s a sign that there’s progress. We’re feeling better about the combinations, the running game.” That’s what the Cowboys need from their running game. It’s not about the gaudy stats; it’s about being able to run the ball when they need to. That could be in short-yardage situations. It could be in the red zone. It could be in the four-minute offense, trying to milk the clock at the end of the game. The Cowboys’ offense is predicated on the passing game being the main character, but the running game has to at least be on stage. Ezekiel Elliott has talked to coaches about lack of use :: Clarence Hill Jr. Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle can make franchise history on Sunday against the Lions :: Blogging the Boys Link It may seem improbable, but no Cowboys running back has ever gone three straight games with a receiving touchdown. (And it’s only happened in back-to-back games 15 times total.) Dowdle had one against the Giants and one against the Steelers; if he hauls in a scoring grab versus Detroit on Sunday, he’ll etch his name into the franchise record books. The kids game Cowboys need to use in order to beat the Lions :: Cowboys Wire Link Remember playing keep away on the playground? With a worn-down and injury-depleted defense, the Cowboys’ best chance at beating Detroit in Week 6 is to control the ball. The Lions have allowed 20 or more points in all but one game this year, so there’s definitely an opportunity for Dak Prescott and the offense to dictate the flow of the game. A shootout won’t work in Dallas’s favor. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott not pleased with attention from demolition of Prosper mansion :: Dallas Morning News Link Prescott bristled after videos circulated online of his 8,800-square foot home being demolished to make way for a new one. “It’s crazy the coverage it got, just being frank,” he explained. “Trying to keep my personal life my personal life, build a home or a place or have a property that I’m about to raise a daughter and a family there, I truly don’t appreciate the drones, the extra videos, and honestly, the conversation of it… Enough said.” 2024 NFL Week 6 QB Power Rankings: Lamar Jackson takes over top spot; Jayden Daniels approaches top five :: NFL.com Link He threw two ugly picks against Pittsburgh, but he also fired pinpoint bullets in crunch time to win a big game on the road in a hostile environment. As a result, Prescott climbs three spots in this week’s rankings; he currently stands as the No. 10 quarterback entering Week 6. Detroit’s Jared Goff, who was a perfect 18-for-18 in his last outing, has great options in the pass game and can hit them all when he’s protected. He sits at 14th. Cowboys staring at golden opportunity to rewrite these narratives with Week 6 win over Lions :: Cowboys Wire Link Quality opponents from outside the NFC East have posed real problems for the Cowboys over the past few seasons. They’re no good against tough, physical teams. They have no home-field advantage. They are incapable of stopping the run. The defense is too decimated to match up with a foe boasting legitimate offensive weapons. Some of those things are true; some are just popular narratives that have gained traction. A win Sunday to move to 4-2 at the bye would go a long way in silencing those storylines. NFL TV coverage maps and announcers for Week 6: Will you get to watch Cowboys-Lions? :: Cowboys Wire Link This weekend’s showdown with Detroit shares Fox’s late-Sunday window with only one other game. Viewers in Georgia, the Carolinas, the majority of Alabama, and tiny patches of Tennessee, Virginia, and Florida will get Falcons/Panthers; everyone else will see Lions/Cowboys. Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will be on the call. Steelers’ George Pickens dismisses questions on explicit eye black :: ESPN Link The Pittsburgh wide receiver is
Behind Enemy Lions: Need to know on Cowboys LBs, Detroit’s guru OC
Cowboys Wire: Let’s dial up the wayback machine. 2023 Week 17, the Lions send 372 offensive linemen racing towards the zebras on a two-point conversion to take the lead. The football gods intervene and strike down the heathens. That’s how you remember things right? Risdon: Something like that, lol. It’s one of those situations where the officials screwed up because they weren’t paying attention to the details. The Lions did try to add a little gamesmanship to it, but it’s not that hard to get it right when the officiating crew has to announce to both teams if someone reports as eligible and then they don’t listen to their own directive. What’s one thing the Cowboys do well that doesn’t get enough credit nationally? CW: Is there anything, good or bad, that doesn’t get exhausted nationally about this club? The linebacker play has been a great suprise, wholly because of second-year “rookie” DeMarvion Overshown. He’s a heat-seeking missle out there and it will be wild to see how he does when he doesn’t have to spy a mobile quarterback and has to deal with chasing those great Detroit backs. Between him, true rookie Marist Liufau and veteran Eric Kendricks there’s actual competency in the group. If the DTs play well, they are there to clean things up. Talk to me about the next Dallas Cowboys head coach Ben Johnson, has his offense evolved since last season? JR: Good luck prying Ben away. His offensive play designs are outstanding, creative and well-conceived for the talent at hand. It requires having a great (not good–great) offensive line to work, and the trust he has in Jared Goff helps make it all function so beautifully. Integrating the raw speed of Jameson Williams into a bigger component of the offense has worked very well. As for Johnson leaving, one reason why he’s stayed and rejected offers is because he didn’t like the instability and meddling of the ownership in the places that wanted him. That’s gonna be a tough nut for Dallas to crack.
Cowboys staring at golden opportunity to rewrite these narratives with Week 6 win over Lions
Cowboys staring at golden opportunity to rewrite these narratives with Week 6 win over Lions K.D. Drummond For the last several years, the Dallas Cowboys have struggled to defeat quality opponents from outside their division. Sure, they’ve been able to handle the Philadelphia Eagles, but when facing off against the likes of the San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers last year, they fell short, often in spectacular failings. Of course narratives don’t necessarily have to be true to be believed. Dallas defeated the Detroit Lions last year, and they made it to the NFC Championship. The year prior the Cowboys had wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings who combined for a 25-8 regular season record. Still, Dallas’ playoff failures have created the public impression that tough opponents can bully them. After last week’s win over the 3-1 “tough guy” Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cowboys now have a chance to reverse that narrative along with another. The team had won 16 straight home games prior to the drubbing placed on them by the Packers in the 2023 wild-card round. Now, they’ve lost three AT&T Stadium games in a row, and if it weren’t for a 19-point fourth-quarter rally that fell short, the scores in all three would’ve been woefully lopsided. But a win Sunday over the 3-1 tough guy Detroit Lions, seeking revenge for last season’s controversial finish, at AT&T Stadium would not only silence the big-game critics but also the internally-booing birds about their loss of a home-field advantage. The Cowboys, sitting at 4-2 entering their bye week, after the littany of injuries to top stars on the heels of a tumultuous offseason would be a seismic shift in perception. Dallas went all summer dealing with contract talks about Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons and a contract holdout with WR CeeDee Lamb. The entire defensive end room is currently ravaged with the top four edge rushers all sidelines simultaneously. Sam Williams is done for the season, Parsons looks like he’ll miss a second consecutive contest and DeMarcus Lawrence and second-round rookie Marshawn Kneeland are on the shelf. The cornerback room is barely doing better with Trevon Diggs returning from an ACL tear, DaRon Bland having yet to suit up in 2024 and impressive fifth-round rookie Caelen Carson missing the last two wins. Through in adapting to the defensive scheme of Mike Zimmer which has turned things around after giving up over 450 rushing yards in back-to-back losses to the Saints and Ravens. The Lions bring forth one of the league’s best rushing tandems in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Stifling Najae Harris is one thing. Corralling these two? That’d be remarkably impressive. There are a number of narratives that can be laid to rest, at least temporarily, with a victory on Sunday. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
NFL TV coverage maps and announcers for Week 6: Will you get to watch Cowboys-Lions?
The last two weeks have made it easy for Cowboys fans to see their team in action. Playing on Thursday night in Week 4 against the New York Giants and Sunday night in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, there was only one game on TV. Getting on national televsion feels like a rite of passage for Dallas fans, with numerous opportunities to watch their team play even if they live outside of the DFW area. Several weeks this season have presented a challenge though, most notably the noon CT kickoff time of Week 2. The Cowboys game wasn’t shown to much of the country as FOX had a five-game slate at that time slot, splitting up the viewing map. Other weeks have presented milder challenges, and that’s what Week 6 presents with the 3pm CT kickoff time for their home game against the Detroit Lions. Dallas is sharing the window on FOX with just one other game. Interested to know if they’ll be shown in your area? Here are all of the Week 6 coverage maps, complete with the broadcast teams for each, courtesy of 506 Sports.
