Shifting the Overshown window: a major takeaway in Cowboys 27-20 win reidhanson The Overton Window is known as the shifting spectrum of government policies that are deemed acceptable by the masses. What seemed crazy one year ago might now seem perfectly fine today. It’s achieved by changing circumstances and/or desensitization to the public. DeMarvion Overshown has produced his own shifting window. When the Texas product was first drafted by the Cowboys in 2023, he was player without a clear and obvious position. At 6-foot-2, 220-pounds, he played a safety-linebacker hybrid role in college and projected to play something similar in the NFL. After missing his rookie season to a season-ending injury, Overshown has been used largely as a linebacker in 2024. Yet day by day, he’s seen more and more opportunities to showcase the special talents other linebackers don’t possess. In the Cowboys’ 27-20 win over New York on Thanksgiving, Overshown has successfully normalized an abnormal role on the Dallas defense. As the best weapon not named “Micah Parsons,” Overshown is an elite weapon blitzing up the middle, playing in the box, dropping into coverage, and playing off the edge. He’s become the player a defensive coordinator schemes for. He’s become a player offensive coordinators scheme against. 12 weeks ago, using Overshown as a regular pass rusher seemed like an absurd thought. A player built for the secondary didn’t have much business playing on the line of scrimmage. But Mike Zimmer’s infamous double A-gap blitz provided him a perfect opportunity to showcase his skills. He did that and more this season, logging 17 pressures and five sacks prior to Week 13. He trails only Parsons in the sack department this season and added another pressure, interception and touchdown to the ledger on Thursday. It’s no longer a crazy proposition to use Overshown as a regular pass rusher, be it from the edge or up the middle. The Overshown window has shifted where the absurd have quietly become the expected. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Blocking improving but Cowboys RBs must take things to another level reidhanson The Cowboys are starting to see some return on their investment. Over the offseason they invested heavily in their offensive line, dedicating their first-round and a third-round pick to the unit. After some significant growing pains melding the new pieces into the machine, the unit is starting to show some signs of life in the run game. Even with the constant shuffling of personnel along the line, Dallas ranks eighth in run block win rate. While Zack Martin is the only individual high performer of the group, the unit as a whole has been producing solid results. In a single point failure area like run blocking, team success is paramount. It only takes one error for the entire play to be blown up. A study conducted by Pro Football Focus concluded a running play in which all blockers received positive grades produces a 60.2 percent success rate while a block with one or more negative grades offers just a 25.7 percent success rate. It carries over in EPA as well, with a positively graded blocking effort producing a +0.27 EPA compared to -0.27 EPA for a run block with one or more negative scores. Shockingly, the Cowboys are currently in the NFL’s top tier in perfect run block rates in 2024. Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle have both been given solid opportunities for positive gains even if the results of the run haven’t shown it. While running games are largely a byproduct of the blocking, at some point it falls on the running back himself to really push it over the goal line (so to speak). Explosive plays in particular are an area in which the Cowboys RBs are struggling. Creating holes and delivering positive gains often falls on the offensive line, but it’s the RB himself who’s largely responsible for making players miss at the second level. Per Sumer Sports, Dowdle’s explosive run rate is 6.3 percent while Elliott’s is just 1.7 percent. For reference, Saquon Barkley is at 11.7 percent and Derrick Henry is at 11.8 percent. It’s a significant difference but Cowboys fans can take solace in the fact the difference between Dowdle and Elliott is far greater than the distance between Barkey/Henry and Dowdle. Based on a side-by-side statistical comparison it’s clear the Cowboys made the right move giving Dowdle the top spot and pushing Elliott into a supporting role. Dowdle hasn’t just shown he’s the best of the bunch in Dallas but that he’s a legit NFL starter. When Dowdle is getting the ball, the Cowboys are producing at a top 10 success rate (filtered for those with 70+ carries). Nontraditional ball carriers in Dallas are also producing at high clip. Hunter Luepke (66.7%), KaVontae Turpin (40.0%) and CeeDee Lamb (38.5) are posting decent success rates behind this Cowboys offensive line as well. The Cowboys haven’t fixed their issues with run blocking, but they are clearly moving in the right direction and better than what some want to credit them for. What this offense needs now is some extra juice from the ball carriers themselves and some more assistance from downfield blockers like receivers and tight ends. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Is Jake Ferguson playing today? Injury news update for Cowboys tight end K.D. Drummond The Dallas Cowboys cannot seem to get out from under the injury bug. The club, already down their franchise quarterback Dak Prescott for the remainder of the year, has struggled to get their downfield targets involved. CeeDee Lamb was just coming out of his early season funk when Prescott was lost in Week 9. He wasn’t getting much help. Brandin Cooks had just nine catches through four games when he was placed on IR with a knee injury. He’ll return to the lineup in Week 13 against New York, but how much will he be able to contribute? The scheme has been unable to make Kavontae Turpin a serious inclusion in the offense more often than not. The development of third-year wideout Jalen Tolbert, second-year man Jalen Brooks or rookie Ryan Flournoy has been slow. The one guy who was established, TE Jake Ferguson, seems to have regressed from his Pro Bowl 2023. And a concussion suffered in Week 11 will force Ferguson to miss his second consecutive game when the Cowboys take on the Giants Thanksgiving afternoon. The third-year man out of Wisconsin caught 71 targets for 761 yards and scored five touchdowns in 2023. He’s failed to reach the end zone so far in 2024, disappointing fantasy owners left and right. In his wake, Dallas will tun to second-year, second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker, along with 2024 UDFA Brevyn Spann-Ford. Schoonmaker had his finest game as a pro Monday after Ferguson was lost; he’d been relegated to afterthought with Spann-Ford usurping his snaps. The team has also added Princeton Fant to the roster, signed from their own practice squad. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Quarterbacks (2) Nov 10, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images Cooper Rush Trey Lance Running Backs (4) ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 12: Rico Dowdle #23 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) Rico Dowdle Ezekiel Elliott Hunter Luepke Deuce Vaughn Tight Ends (4) Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) runs with the football against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Jake Ferguson (out) Luke Schoonmaker Brevyn Spann-Ford Princeton Fant Wide Receivers (7) Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) walks the field before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images CeeDee Lamb Brandin Cooks Jalen Tolbert Kavontae Turpin Jalen Brooks Ryan Flournoy Jonathan Mingo Offensive Tackles (4) OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 30: Offensive tackle Tyler Guyton #60 of the Dallas Cowboys stretches during training camp on July 30, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Tyler Guyton Terence Steele Chuma Edoga Matt Waletzko Offensive Guards (3) Jun 4, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) runs through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Zack Martin Tyler Smith TJ Bass Centers (2) OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 8: Defensive tackle Kobie Turner #91 of the Los Angeles Rams locks up with center Brock Hoffman #67 of the Dallas Cowboys during a skirmish between the two teams during joint practice at training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Cooper Beebe Brock Hoffman Defensive Ends (5) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 17: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) Micah Parsons Marshawn Kneeland Chauncey Golston Tyrus Wheat Carl Lawson Defensive Tackles (4) OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 30: Linebacker Micah Parsons #11 and defensive tackle Mazi Smith #58 of the Dallas Cowboys throw punches aa they jokingly spar prior to a training session on July 30, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Osa Odighizuwa Mazi Smith Linval Joseph Carlos Watkins Linebackers (6) Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (35) wears a Guardian helmet cap during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Eric Kendricks DeMarvion Overshown Damone Clark Marist Liufau Buddy Johnson Nick Vigil Cornerbacks (7) Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) celebrate after Diggs intercepts a pass against the Washington Commanders during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Trevon Diggs DaRon Bland Jourdan Lewis Israel Mukuamu Josh Butler Kemon Hall (Elevation) Andrew Booth (Elevation) Safeties (3) OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 8: Running back Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes against safety Malik Hooker #28 and Donovan Wilson #6 of the Dallas Cowboys during joint practice at training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Malik Hooker Donovan Wilson Juanyeh Thomas Special Teams (4) INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 11: Brandon Aubrey #17 of the Dallas Cowboys watches his field goal with Bryan Anger #5, to take a 12-6 lead over the Los Angeles Rams, in a 13-12 Rams win during a preseason game at SoFi Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Brandon Aubrey Bryan Anger Trent Sieg CJ Goodwin

Week 13’s Thanksgiving matchup is a battle of the NFC East basement. The 4-7 Cowboys host the 2-9 Giants in what figures to be an aperitif for the day’s big dinner. In what was supposed to be showcase of Dallas’ dominance is nothing more than a battle for draft positioning with the slightest hope a playoff run twinkling off in the distance. After three consecutive 12-win seasons the Cowboys have crashed back to earth in 2024. Looking for a reset but unwilling to tank like their east coast opponent, Dallas is largely playing for pride and for building a base for the future. Tyler Guyton, the Cowboys top draft pick in 2024, is one of many players hoping to cement his role on the team. The rookie left tackle has been in and out of the lineup most of the season. He’s predictably suffered through many growing pains as evidenced by his low blocking scores and his high penalty counts. Many times, it’s been his replacement Asim Richards who’s been the better LT. Guyton is a first-round pick and figures into the starting mix down the road but the same can’t be said for other Cowboys trying to prove their long-term value on Thanksgiving afternoon.   Is Josh Butler for real? Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images Josh Butler is coming off a career week in Washington and is now officially playing for a long-term role on the Cowboys. While the top two spots are locked down with DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs for the foreseeable future, CB3 may be up for grabs if Jourdan Lewis leaves after the season. Butler, an UDFA, has spent time in the USFL and the Cowboys practice squad over the past two years. He flashed in training camp this past summer showing the ability to matchup against a variety of receivers and manning both the boundary and nickel positions. Butler was absolutely stunning in Week 12 and stands to gain a prominent role down the road if he can keep showing the same solid fundamentals he showed everyone last week.   Can Bass and Hoffman be long-term answers on the OL? Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard T.J. Bass (66) Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Making surprise starts in the place of the injured Tyler Smith and Zack Martin, T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman enjoyed stellar days at guard against the Commanders in Week 12. Bass showed he’s one of the NFL’s best reserve guards and Hoffman showing he’s not just a center option but also a special player next door at guard. Bass has long looked like the heir apparent to Martin so his good showing wasn’t overly surprising. He may never develop into a Pro Bowl lineman but he looks more than capable of locking down the spot in average-to-above-average capacity should the opportunity arise in 2025. What came out of nowhere was the play of Hoffman. After a disappointing training camp and preseason, Hoffman somewhat dropped out of the picture. That changed suddenly in Week 12 when Hoffman dominated his opponents physically as well as mentally. Was it a blip on the radar or is Hoffman suddenly a viable starting option down the road? It’s unknown if Smith and/or Martin will play on Thursday but if they can’t it will be a great opportunity for their injury replacements to show they’re the real deal. Is Rush good enough to drive the bus to the playoffs? (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Cooper Rush might not be a franchise quarterback but he’s a capable bus driver who has shown he can make the right throw and avoid the wrong throw. He’s won games for Dallas in the past but unlike previous situations, Dak Prescott isn’t swopping in to take over down the stretch this year. If the Cowboys want to dream dreams of defying odds and making the postseason they’ll need their QB to be good enough. Week 12 was a great bounce back for Rush posting his first positive CPOE of the season. On the season Rush ranks 39 of 40 in CPOE+EPA composite score. Only Anthony Richardson is worse (of those with 100 or more attempts). At the very least Rush has to play more like the Week 12 version of himself for the Cowboys even to have a chance down the stretch. Week 13 will be a great chance for him to build on his success.   Can the Cowboys clean up dumb mistakes? (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) The Cowboys played well on all sides of the ball in Week 12 but were still littered with back-breaking mistakes. Bad snaps, dumb penalties, blocked punts, blocked kicks, and missed tackles ended otherwise solid drives. Good teams aren’t making these mistakes in Week 13. If the Cowboys want to sell hope, they have to sell they can play smart. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Related articles INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 11: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys in the second half during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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