Should Cowboys show first-round rookie patience or focus on winning in 2020? reidhanson When Tyler Guyton fell to injury in the Cowboys’ Week 5 matchup against Pittsburgh, some saw it as a possible blessing in disguise. That’s because Guyton was replaced by the Cowboys All-Pro left guard, Tyler Smith, a player with previous experience at the left tackle position and someone seen as an instant upgrade. The move outside for Smith required Dallas’ top reserve lineman, T.J. Bass, to take over the vacated LG spot. Overall, it gave fans, who were growing increasingly nervous with the Cowboys pass protection, a chance to breathe a sigh of relief. Left tackle is considered a core position in the NFL. If a team doesn’t have a good one, they probably won’t be a high-producing offense. Protecting the quarterback’s blindside is Job 1 on a LT’s task list because just one break in the dam can lose a game or end a QB’s season. The Cowboys clearly valued the position when they made Guyton their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. After letting former All-Pro Tyron Smith leave in free agency, Dallas had an obvious need. Drafting near the end of the round it was obvious Dallas wouldn’t get the pick of the litter. Guyton represented the ninth offensive linemen taken in 2024. He was unpolished and untested. He offered a tremendous ceiling, but most scouts agreed he also would require tremendous patience. A promising start to training camp and the preseason caused many to forget his expected career arch and led them to recalibrate rookie expectations. Just two seasons prior the Cowboys slid another rookie, the aforementioned Tyler Smith, into the starting LT spot in Week 1 and they were pleasantly rewarded. Why not have the same expectations for Guyton? The answer to that is Tyler Smith was an exception to the norm and therefore a bit of an anomaly. As the most penalized offensive tackle in football, Smith was supposed to struggle early as well, he just didn’t. To expect the Cowboys to hit the lottery like that again two years later was probably a touch too optimistic. So when Guyton started his rookie campaign with growing pains, many were taken back with disappointment. Five weeks into the season Guyton is grading out as the 71st OT in the NFL (out of 78 graded). His four sacks given up are second most in the league. He’s also second in penalties and 10th in overall pressures (just one behind Terence Steele). It’s safe to say he’s not good, but it’s also safe to say none of this is unexpected. The Cowboys are sticking with their guy. Despite some fan urging to keep Smith at LT and Guyton to the bench or to replace Steele at right tackle, the Cowboys appear to be committed to the cause. They knew developing him would be a process and have the long-term goals in mind. They know Guyton needs practice and needs reps to reach the heights they think he’s capable of, and the only way to do that is live action on the field. With all of that said, the risk is real, and it could cost the Cowboys the 2024 season. Guyton’s a liability in pass protection and a danger to Dak Prescott. Mike McCarthy has done a good job of rolling Prescott out of the pocket to the right side and giving his young LT help whenever possible, but even with that Guyton’s a league leader in pressures allowed. The Cowboys are committed to developing Guyton because they know, in the long run, it’s the smart thing to do. Guyton has a long way to go but they knew that when they picked him. His play shouldn’t be seen as disappointing because he was always supposed to be a project player like this. Patience is required and with any luck a commitment to his development will start to produce positive results in the not-too-distant future. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Studs and Duds: Cowboys standouts and failures vs Steelers Mike Crum The Dallas Cowboys allowed a game they dominated statistically to come down to the final minute with poorly timed mistakes. They needed to convert a game-winning touchdown on fourth-and-goal on the road against a Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense that had allowed a total of 14 second-half points coming into the game. Dallas nearly doubled Pittsburgh in total yards while having one less drive. They had more third-down conversions by passing the ball than the Steelers had by rushing and passing combined. Dallas converted 75% of their third-down attempts, while Pittsburgh only converted 25%. Offenses do not go into Pittsburgh and put up nearly 450 yards on their defense, but Dallas did. In games like this, many Cowboys played well enough to earn the stud label, but the many mistakes left plenty of options for duds. The key is getting above .500 by going 3-0 on the road before returning home and looking for their first win at AT&T Stadium this season before the bye week. Studs: RB Rico Dowdle Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Dak Prescott against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images Most people understood that Rico Dowdle was the top running back on the team despite other player’s name recognition, but Dowdle cemented that spot. He had a workhorse game with 20 attempts, averaged nearly 4.5 yards per carry, and hit the two longest runs of the season for Dallas (13 yards). After Tyler Guyton was injured and Tyler Smith had to shift out to left tackle, the team started leaning more on Dowdle. They had only four rushes for 15 yards with Guyton, but after Smith went to LT and T.J. Bass played at left guard, Dowdle rushed 15 times for 75 yards, five yards per carry. He added a big play in the passing game, putting the team ahead 13-10 in the fourth quarter with a 22-yard touchdown reception. Dowdle had a career-high in rushing attempts and yards, and he caught both of his targets, one being a TD. This was a breakout performance against a top five defense. Duds: Redzone offense Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) sets up at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images The Cowboys should have walked into Pittsburgh, stomped them out, and left with a blowout victory the way they moved the ball from the 20-to-20. They went up and down the field on offense, held the Steelers to 17 points on defense, and the only reason the game was competitive were their issues in the red zone. A fumble by Dak Prescott when both edge rushers from the Steelers smashed him. An interception just before the half, costing the team a chance at more points allowed Pittsburgh to go into halftime with momentum. Brandon Aubrey’s field goal was blocked. Prescott nearly fumbled the ball out of the end zone on a QB scramble to try and win the game, and Dowdle fumbled when the team was inside the one-yard line, but luckily it was recovered. Dallas could’ve scored nine to 17 more points if they executed instead of having three red zone attempts and only scoring three points. They must clean up their red zone play to beat the Detroit Lions next week. Studs: WR Jalen Tolbert Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) scores the game winning touchdown against Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Dallas won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Jalen Tolbert had outplayed Brandin Cooks this season, but going into this game he was still seen as the clear third receiver because he lacked consistent production and hadn’t had a defining game as a Dallas Cowboy. He had his breakout moment against one of the best defenses in the league Sunday night. Tolbert had a career-high seven receptions and a career-high 87 yards. CeeDee Lamb had been the only playmaker for Dallas this year, but Tolbert hit a 48-yard third down conversion right before the two-minute warning, building that confidence between Prescott and himself. On the last two pass plays, Prescott targeted Tolbert, and he made the game-winning play on fourth and goal with 30 seconds left. For the following month minimum, Tolbert will be the second receiver for Dallas with Cooks out and this could jump-start him to maintain that role for the year. Duds: OL penalties Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Guyton (60) blocks at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The offensive line didn’t have a strong game, allowing their QB to get squashed in the red zone, leading to a fumble. They allowed penetration on the final rushing attempt that got Dowdle hammered, fumbling as he tried to dive into the endzone, but their top issue is continually being penalized. A false start from Guyton started a drive at first and 15 and it went for a three-and-out. Terence Steele had a false start in the redzone that halted a drive for a field goal try. Bass followed a Lamb false start with one of his own, putting the team at first and 20 and Brock Hoffman had a personal foul penalty that Prescott followed up with an interception the very next play. Besides Prescott saving the team from a 1st-and-20 start, every other offensive line penalty ended an offensive drive. The coaches must emphasize these penalties because they keep setting the team back. If the offense can clean up its penalties on the OL, it could set the offense off, and that can lead the defense to its ultimate strength of pinning

Cowboys to work out WR they almost drafted, nearly traded for Todd Brock Denzel Mims was linked to the Cowboys when he was a local college prospect. Then the Cowboys front office reportedly reached out about a possible trade for him a few years into a pro career that wasn’t living up to expectations. Now, just days away from turning 26, the free agent wide receiver and Texas native may be a step closer to finally finding himself wearing the silver and blue. ESPN’s Todd Archer is reporting that Mims will be working out for the Cowboys on Tuesday, a possible option for shoring up a pass-catching group in Dallas that is left rather thin with the sudden loss of Brandin Cooks to a knee infection. https://twitter.com/toddarcher/status/1843639932835029013 Mims was a highly-regarded talent in the 2020 draft. The Cowboys knew the Baylor product well and had taken a long look at him for his blazing speed and huge catch radius. But the Cowboys couldn’t have imagined that CeeDee Lamb would fall their way in the first round. With the 51st pick, the Cowboys couldn’t pass up on cornerback Trevon Diggs, and they left Mims on the board. The Jets ended up taking him eight spots later. But his tenure in New York was marred by injury and personality clashes with the organization. Mims requested a trade heading into his third season, citing a lack of opportunities within the offense. The Cowboys were reportedly one of a handful of teams to inquire about the 6-foot-3 speedster, but deemed the Jets’ asking price of a fourth-round pick too high. Mims returned to New York for what turned out to be his final year. Overall, he played in just 30 games as a Jet, logging 42 catches for 676 yards and no touchdowns. He was eventually traded last summer, but the Lions waived him with an injury designation less than a month later. The Steelers then picked him up and signed him to their practice squad, where he stayed for the 2023 season. Mims spent 2024’s camp with Jacksonville and was released in late August. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] In Sunday’s 20-17 win, the Cowboys gave 2022 draft pick Jalen Tolbert the bulk of the extra work in replacing Cooks. Jalen Brooks also saw additional time, KaVontae Turpin received his usual smattering of offensive snaps, and promising rookie Ryan Flournoy made his NFL debut. But the Cowboys may decide that the WR room could use another body, with Cooks on injured reserve for at least a few more weeks. Or they may be wondering if Cooks, with just nine catches and 91 yards over four games, is still the best answer at WR2. So if Tuesday’s workout goes well, the team’s longstanding attraction to Mims may finally be consummated with a contract and a helmet with a star on it. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Cowboys finally learning the tricks to unlocking this obvious weapon reidhanson From the moment KaVontae Turpin arrived in Dallas back in 2022, fans have been looking for ways to get him the ball. The former USFL MVP has the kind of speed, explosiveness and athleticism that can’t be taught. A receiver in name but a return man by trade, Turpin has carved out quite the reputation in the two plus seasons he’s been with the Cowboys. Making the Pro Bowl as a rookie, the 5-foot-9, 153-pound human water bug became a player opposing teams tried to avoid. By his second season Turpin saw his returnable punts drop from 29 to 13 and his kick returns go from 21 to just 10. It’s a trend that continues in 2024 with Turpin not logging a single returnable punt since Week 1 and posting a total of just two kick returns through the first four weeks of play. Teams have been avoiding Turpin for fairly obvious reasons and the Cowboys haven’t figured out a way to forcibly insert their fastest player back into the game plan. Until now, that is. In Week 5 against the Steelers, Mike McCarthy finally problem solved the situation. The Cowboys removed co-return man Juanyeh Thomas from the equation and left Turpin back to field kickoffs alone. It only offered him one return on the day but even that was a welcomed sight given he hadn’t had one opportunity the two games prior. For anyone wondering, he’s now averaging 35.67 yards per kick return, far above league average and greater than the value of a touchback. McCarthy has also given him extra opportunities on offense. While it’s likely Brandin Cooks’ injury played a big part in the decision, seeing Turpin on offense was a welcomed sight regardless. Turpin logged 22 snaps on offense for Dallas, which marked a season high. His five targets downfield and four receptions were also season highs. He took a six-yard loss on his only rushing attempt but much like a cruddy Christmas gift from loved ones, it was the thought that counts. Using Turpin as a receiver gives him the best opportunity to create magic in space. And using him as a rusher once or twice a game will force opponents to respect the horizonal motion that typically goes with a Turpin run. It’s what fans and media have been begging for, for quite some time. Problem solve the kick returns. Create horizonal motion on offense. Use Turpin as a runner and as a run-action decoy. And get Turpin the ball down field. For at least one week, Turpin has been maximized on the Cowboys. Whether Week 5 was an anomaly or a sign of more things to come is anyone’s guess, but McCarthy has been rewarded for using his diminutive dynamo so the hope is it will all continue. Related article [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Dak Prescott makes some bad decisions Barry Reeger-Imagn Images The Cowboys had their best offensive output on the season, amassing 445 total yards against a stingy Steelers defense. That effort was led by quarterback Dak Prescott, who threw for 352 yards and two scores. However, Prescott had some rough moments that led to a tight game instead one the Cowboys could’ve won in blowout fashion. Prescott had three turnovers, including two interceptions and two red zone mistakes that came close to costing the team the game. The fumble on the last play of the first quarter when the Cowboys were sure to put at least three points on the board was a poor play from the veteran signal caller. Prescott has to know that he doesn’t have time to sit in the pocket and needs to throw the ball away or take the sack to give his kicker a chance at three points. Instead, Prescott failed to protect the ball, and the Steelers kept the score tied. Prescott also threw an interception in the end zone near the end of the first half on a throw to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who didn’t appear to be on the same page with his QB. No matter the miscommunication, it was a poor throw from Prescott that cost his team points. The last mistake came in the fourth quarter with the Cowboys leading 13-10 and on a first-and-10 pass. Prescott threw into double coverage and took an unnecessary shot deep down the field when the offense was controlling the game. The Steelers took the turnover and scored a touchdown to give them a 17-13 lead late in the game. It was an inexcusable throw from Prescott at the wrong time. Yet Prescott still makes winning plays Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Despite helping the Cowboys outgain the Steelers almost 2-1 in total yards, Prescott managed to put the team behind the eight-ball. Yet, when the game was on the line, Prescott responded like big-time players do. After the interception that led to the Pittsburgh touchdown, there was 4:56 left on the clock for Prescott to mount the game-winning drive and that’s exactly what he did. Prescott led a 15-play, 70-yard drive that saw him save the game with a heads-up fumble recovery, then deliver the winning touchdown for Dallas. With the Cowboys on the half-yard line, running back Rico Dowdle fumbled while trying to reach the ball over the goal line. Fortunately, Prescott fell on the ball to give the Cowboys two more chances to win the game. Two plays after saving the game, Prescott won it on a touchdown pass to WR Jalen Tolbert on the crossing pattern near the sideline. Prescott was sharp for most of the night, but a few bad decisions threatened to ruin his performance against a good Steelers defense. But when it mattered most, Prescott came through to win the game. Rico Dowdle breaks out Barry Reeger-Imagn Images It may have taken five weeks, but the Cowboys may have found themselves a RB capable of taking most of the workload. Dowdle had his best outing of the season, and the best game of his career in the Week 5 win. The undrafted free agent looks like he won the starting job with a tough 87 yards on the ground, adding 27 more and a touchdown through the air. The Steelers were giving up just under 87 rushing yards a game, but Dowdle had no problem running through their tackle attempts and averaging 4.4 yards a carry. Dowdle did fumble near the end of the game, but it didn’t come back to haunt the Cowboys. It was clear in this contest that Dowdle is the best backfield option for the offense, and he is a dual threat who should see the majority of the RB snaps going forward. Short-handed defense stepped up Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Cowboys were playing without their two best defenders against the Steelers, boundary corners 2 and 3, and they lost another starter, rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, early in the game. That didn’t seem to bother an unheralded group that put forth a gutsy effort in the win. Mike Zimmer’s defense responded to being shorthanded by allowing just 17 points, surrendering a paltry 226 total yards, and had three sacks. It was the defenses first multi-sack effort since the first game of the season, when they were healthy and had six. It was also a defense that limited the damage in the running game, giving up only 92 rushing yards to an offense that averages over 121 yards on the ground. Dallas slowed top Steelers RB Najee Harris, allowing him to run for 42 yards, and held Justin Fields in check, giving up only 27 yards to the running QB. Pittsburgh could only muster 3.5 ypc and their longest run was eight yards. That’s an impressive effort for a defense that couldn’t stop anyone in the run game a few weeks ago. And doing it without some of their best defenders against one of the most physical teams in the league was remarkable. Cowboys remain a sloppy team Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images After the Week 4 win over the New York Giants, we said in this space the Cowboys won’t win many games committing 11 penalties. Luckily enough, the team did manage to win again with 11 infractions, this time in Week 5. The Cowboys compounded those mistakes by turning the ball over and having a special teams gaffe. Early in the game, the Cowboys had just three points on three red zone trips, while also having a field goal attempt blocked. Somehow, the Cowboys were able to overcome the sloppy play and win. The penalties are not an anomaly, this is who Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys are, an undisciplined team that makes the same mistakes over and over again. They got lucky a second time in the Week 5 win, but they won’t beat many good teams with 11 penalties, three turnovers and a

The Cowboys went to Pittsburgh and stole a game they probably had no business winning. On the road, dealing with weather, and severely hampered by injuries at multiple key positions, Dallas seemed hamstrung from the start. But a suddenly-revived rushing attack and a defense that overcame its personnel issues combined to stage a thrilling win that should boost the Cowboys’ morale going into a tough intraconference showdown next week and offer optimism for the tough stretch of opponents to come after the bye. Much of what’s been wrong, though, remains wrong. Penalties continue to be an Achilles heel. Quarterback Dak Prescott’s three turnovers on the night cannot be overlooked just because he saved the game with a fumble recovery and threw a game-winning pass. The injuries appear to be mounting. The offense still short-circuits once they hit the red zone. And questionable in-game management is only making it harder to sustain momentum in critical situations. Those concerns, while real, are much easier to put in proper perspective, however, the day after a win. Here’s a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly to come out of Sunday night/Monday morning’s 20-17 win over the Steelers. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Good: Piecemealed Dallas D rises to occasion Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) reacts to sacking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (not pictured) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The questions surrounding the Cowboys defense coming in were numerous, obvious, and well-deserved. Already down its two best playmakers, Dallas lost defensive end Marshawn Kneeland just four minutes into the contest. (More on that later.) But the rest of Mike Zimmer’s crew wasted no time in stepping up in a big way, completely containing Justin Fields and the Steelers offense. Heading into halftime, the piecemealed Cowboys D had surrendered just 89 net yards and only three points. They held Pittsburgh to 1-of-7 on third downs, allowed a single play of over 10 yards, and forced almost as many punts (three) as passes Fields had completed (four). The Steelers were able to make adjustments that proved effective in the second half, but the dominance showed by the Cowboys defense in the first 30 minutes was key to keeping things close, unlike what happened against New Orleans and Baltimore. Bad: Challenges continue to be a challenge For an organization that prides itself on its forward-thinking coaching staff and cutting-edge use of analytics, the Cowboys seem to have a real challenge with… challenges. And they screwed up twice- on both ends of the spectrum- in the span of under two minutes Sunday. On the offense’s second possession, a Dak Prescott completion to Jalen Brooks looked to be extremely close to the line to gain. Replays showed Brooks probably had enough to have moved the chains. But instead of asking for a review of the spot, the Cowboys rushed to the line, ran a hurried play that ended in an intentional grounding call, and had to punt. Four snaps into Pittsburgh’s subsequent drive, a Fields fumble offered a brief tantalizing moment of hope, but the quarterback came away from the pile with the ball. McCarthy inexplicably demanded a challenge, which the entire free world knew without a doubt he would lose. It was not a good look for a head coach who is criticized frequently for poor in-game management decisions. Had Dallas not gone on to steal the win, these two plays would be a much larger talking point this week, and the temperature under McCarthy’s seat would have climbed a few noticeable degrees. Ugly: Dak’s trio of turnovers The Jeopardy! answer to come out of the game was that Prescott became the first player in league history to throw two interceptions in the same game but on different days. But the reality of the QB’s ugly trio of turnovers should be of no trivial matter to Cowboys fans. First, he fumbled in the red zone after holding onto the ball far too long with T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig closing in fast. That miscue cost Dallas the chance to go up 10-3 early. Then came another red-zone giveaway, this one on a poorly-thrown ball into the end zone when points were all but guaranteed and a touchdown seemed inevitable. That awful throw had CeeDee Lamb reminding his quarterback to put the ball up in the air. Prescott did exactly that later in the fourth quarter (and technically, Monday morning by that point), heaving an ill-advised bomb nearly 50 yards downfield to a double-covered Jalen Tolbert. That interception kick-started the Steelers’ go-ahead touchdown drive. Thankfully, Prescott’s heads-up recovery of Rico Dowdle’s fumble in the final minute was instrumental in winning the game, but Prescott often looked like he was trying to do too much to personally pilot a banged-up offense against a fierce opponent on the road… and it almost cost the team dearly. Good: Run game finds spark with Rico Dallas’s rushing attack had been stuck in neutral through four games this season, but Rico Dowdle finally got himself in gear Sunday night. His 20 carries and 87 yards on the ground were both career highs for the 26-year-old, and he was given the rock for what was designed to be the game-winning carry (and nearly was, if not for that one-in-a-million dive from Steelers LB Elandon Roberts). What’s more, Dowdle may have finally cemented his place as the clear-cut lead back for the Cowboys, more than tripling Ezekiel Elliott’s rushing attempts on the night. Fullback Hunter Luepke had just two totes, Deuce Vaughn was on the inactive list, and Dalvin Cook remains on the practice squad; Cook will ostensibly be elevated at some point, but a pecking order seems to be establishing itself among the Cowboys’ running back committee. Based on a strong Week 5 in which he also added two catches and a very important receiving touchdown, expect Dowdle to shoulder the biggest part of the load out of the backfield

Report: Cowboys DE avoids season-ending injury but will require surgery Todd Brock When it rains, it pours. And not just from the clouds over Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday night. Once the game finally got underway after a lengthy weather delay, a Cowboys defender being asked to step up due to other injuries suffered one of his own just four snaps in. Rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland suffered a partial meniscus tear on the first series of the night for the Cowboys defense. The injury came during a tackle of Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. Kneeland was carted off the sideline and did not return for the duration of Dallas’s 20-17 win over the Steelers. Multiple outlets are reporting Monday that the second-round draft pick avoided a season-ending ACL tear, but he will need surgery to repair the damage in his right knee. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Kneeland could miss four to six weeks while he recovers. The Western Michigan product is now the fourth edge rusher to go down with an injury this season for Dallas. Sam Williams was lost for the season in late July, Micah Parsons is considered week-to-week, and DeMarcus Lawrence will be on injured reserve through Nov. 3. Kneeland will almost certainly be moved to IR as well as the team figures out a plan for at least the next month. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Chauncey Golston, Tyrus Wheat, and Carl Lawson took on extra snaps versus the Steelers after Kneeland went down in the first quarter. All three ended the night notching half a sack on Fields. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Cowboys vs Lions: Opening odds, over-under and moneyline for NFL betting wagers K.D. Drummond Things were not friendly the last time the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions met. The two teams, jockeying for playoff positioning, met at AT&T Stadium last December in a game that went down to the wire. The Cowboys escaped with a 20-19 victory after Detroit tried not one, not two, but three two-point tries after scoring a late touchdown in a game marked with a ton of controversy. The Lions attempted to trick the Cowboys with offensive linemen reporting eligible, but tricked the refs and had their first conversion nullified. They failed on the second attempt, but got a reprieve as Micah Parsons was offside and then finally Dallas got a stop that stuck. The Lions took the emotion from the loss and ran with it, reaching the NFC Championship game a month later. Dallas didn’t, bowing out two weeks later in a lopsided wild-card loss. The Lions have maintained that momentum, winning three of their first four games before a Week 5 bye and Dallas has slogged along so far and are now dealing with a mountain of serious injuries. All of that together leads to Vegas’ opinion on who should win the game and by how much. Opening Point Spread: Cowboys +3 Relying on Bet MGM’s odds, the Cowboys are home underdogs. Many people feel that home-field advantage is an automatic three points before a spread is adjusted for the quality of the team. That isn’t always the case. Based on historical trends, some team’s home-field advantage is adjusted up or down. When reading spreads, the team that is favored is referred to as “giving points.” The Steelers are 3-point favorites, so in order to win a bet the Lions have to win by more than three points. The Cowboys are referred to as +3. Spread History in 2024 LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 02: The betting line and some of the nearly 400 proposition bets for Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos are displayed at the Race & Sports SuperBook at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on February 2, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The newly renovated sports book has the world’s largest indoor LED video wall with 4,488 square feet of HD video screens measuring 240 feet wide and 20 feet tall. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) The Cowboys were +1 road underdogs in their opener and beat the Browns by 16.  They were 6.5-point favorites at home over the Saints and lost by 25. In Week 3 Dallas was +1.5 and lost by three. In Week 4 Dallas was favored by 5.5 and won by only five. Last week they were +2.5 to the Steelers and won outright. The Cowboys are 2-3 against the spread. The Lions are 3-1 against the spread, matching their win-loss record. They were favored by 5.5 against the Rams and won by six. Favored by 7.5 against the Bucs and lost outright. Favored by three at home against the Cards and won by seven. Before their bye they were favored by 4.5 against the Seahawks and won by 13. Over/Under opens at 52.5 The Over/Under is the guesstimate of the total amount of points to be scored by both teams. For instance if the final score of Sunday’s game ends up being 33-20, then an Over bet would win because 53 total points were scored. If the final score was 21-20, then the Under bet would win based on a total of 41 points being scored. Over/Under History in 2024 Week 1 was expected to be a defensive struggle, but they and the Browns combined for 50 points, 8.5 above the 41.5 water level. In Week two the O/U was set for 47 and the teams combined for 63 total points. In Week 3 the O/U was 47.5 and Dallas and Baltimore combined for 53 points. In Week 4 the Cowboys and Giants combined for only 35 points and Dallas and the Steelers hit just 37, so back-to-back unders. The Lions have had high over/unders in all of their game but only once has the over hit, in Week 4. The O/U was 47 and the teams combined for 73 points, but the previous three games had O/Us above 50 and weren’t breached. Cowboys Money Line is currently set for +140 The Money Line is a simple win-or-lose bet. If someone thinks one team will win, but they don’t want to give or take any points, they bet on them “straight up.” Dallas’ moneyline is +140. The Lions’ moneyline is -165. If someone bets on a favorite the ML will be negative, an underdog, positive. All bets are spoken of in terms of wagering an even $100. A bet of $165 on Detroit to win outright would result in getting that back, plus winning an additional $100. If someone were to wager $100 on the Cowboys, then they would get their $100 back, plus $140 in profit. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Winners and Losers: Cowboys run game overcomes officials, injuries in win over Steelers angeltorres After a lengthy rain and lightning delay, the Cowboys were able to churn out an ugly but hardfought victory over a Pittsburgh team that thrives in situations Dallas found themselves in Sunday night (or Monday morning depending on the time zone). Quarterback Dak Prescott was unbelievable despite tossing two interceptions, going 29 of 42 for 352 yards and two touchdowns after the game-winning pass. It may be easy to anoint him now but there are a few unsung heroes who deserve the winner tag as well. Kudos to this no-name defense that held Pittsburgh to just 226 total yards on 57 snaps, a pedestrian four yards per play. This Dallas defense held the Steelers to just 3 of 12 on third-down conversions. As with any game though, not everything was roses and sunshine. Like Prescott’s picks there were some moments and performances that could’ve been executed much better. Here’s the collection of winners and losers from Week 5. Winner: Cowboys backup wide receivers Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) scores the game winning touchdown against Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Dallas won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Dallas lost receiver Brandin Cooks for at least the next four games due to a knee infection and, the Cowboys needed someone to step up in his absence. A usual deterrent in the return game, Pittsburgh opted to give him his chances on special teams, but it was the opportunities in the offense that placed receiver Kavonte Turpin on the list. Turpin finished the game with four catches for 50 yards which doesn’t sound like much, but it was effective enough to garner some attention. This allowed Jalen Tolbert to become the focus in the second half leading all receivers with seven grabs for 87 yards including the game-winning four-yard touchdown catch. This new development forces upcoming opponents to deal with the Cowboys newest threats but more importantly, it gives the wideouts confidence in what has been a disappointing start as a group. Perhaps all the talk of bringing in Raiders All-Pro receiver Davante Adams was the kind of motivation they needed. Loser: Sunday Night Officiating Crew Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) celebrates a touchdown pass from quarterback Dak Prescott against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images Shawn Hochuli and his officiating crew didn’t give the Cowboys an inch when it came to the benefit of the doubt against the Steelers on Sunday Night. Twice the Sunday Night broadcasting crew highlighted the ball being spotted short of the line to gain for Dallas. Wideout Jalen Brooks appeared to have gotten the first down on his only reception of the day while running back Rico Dowdle was much closer to another first down yet both times, Dallas was shorted on the play. The crew also missed an illegal lineman downfield on the go-ahead touchdown shovel pass by the Steelers to make it 17-13 late in the fourth quarter. Luckily for them, and the Cowboys, Dak Prescott bailed them all out. Winner: Rico Dowdle Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Dak Prescott against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images In a year where the running back position has severely lacked any “juice”, Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle finally gave a much-needed infusion of production from the position. Dowdle rushed 20 times for 87 yards adding a 22-yard touchdown through the air from quarterback Dak Prescott. His breakout game allowed the other backs to fall into their rightful place as supporting cast members. Fellow running mates Ezekiel Elliott and Hunter Luepke were able to give Dallas the dirty yards in short-yardage situations. This is an area where Dallas can be better as that Dowdle fumble at the goal line, as improbable as that was, should serve notice to the coaching staff that roles must be played by certain players moving forward. Loser: Terence Steele Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Terence Steele (78) lines up during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images Dallas had a built-in escape clause in case starting right tackle Terence Steele struggled to return to form from a serious knee injury. Happy with what they saw, the team opted to restructure his contract making it more expensive to move on from his salary next season. Team officials may be second-guessing themselves as Steelers edge player T.J. Watt turned him into a turnstile on national television. Steele carries an $18.1 million cap number next season and unless things turn around drastically, paying a player roughly 6.1% of your cap for less than mediocre results is probably why the front office cannot stop talking to the media, or anyone else who will listen, about their perennial salary issues. Loser: 2024 Draft Class injuries PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 06: Marshawn Kneeland #94 of the Dallas Cowboys is on the field with an injury during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) Injuries in general have been a problem but the Cowboys lost rookie starting left tackle Tyler Guyton, their first-round pick in 2024, and Marshawn Kneeland, their second-round pick, in the first half against the Steelers. Neither returned and Dallas now faces a grim possibility where both players may miss an extended amount of time. Dallas has leaned heavily on their rookie class this season with center Cooper Beebe and linebacker Marist Liufau being the only members of the drafted guys this season to finish the game in Pittsburgh. Fifth-round cornerback Caelen Carson was inactive due