No need to re-hash Amani Oruwariye’s muffed attempt at recovering a live-ball blocked punt. And DeMarvion Overshown’s catastrophic knee injury was painful enough to watch the first time. Those moments were both bad and ugly for Cowboys fans watching the 27-20 loss to Cincinnati in Week 14, but they’re a little too obvious and have already been detailed to death. This installment of Good, Bad, and Ugly will dive a little deeper into some of the game’s subplots that may have been overshadowed by the headline-worthy stories but contributed all the same to the disappointing outcome. Like Mike McCarthy’s insistence on force-feeding the least successful part of his offense when the play calls mattered most. Or watching Micah Parsons get put in a high-definition chokehold in the middle of a pass rush while the officials were… um… blinded by the sun, maybe? Or the secondary quietly giving up more passing yards than they have in over three years. But even though Dallas got the L, there were plusses to be taken away. Think back to September and how ridiculous it would have sounded to suggest that Rico Dowdle, Brock Hoffman, and T.J. Bass would be the bright spots in a December primetime matchup. But it’s just par for the course in this wacky season. Here’s the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from Monday night’s nail-biter. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Good: Run game under Rico It’s hard to watch Rico Dowdle over the past few weeks and not wonder what might have been if the organization hadn’t been so hellbent on forcing Ezekiel Elliott early in the season. Dowdle has averaged 19.6 carries and 109.7 yards per game over the past three outings, and he notched a career-high 131 on the ground Monday night. Over the past six weeks, he ranks second in the league in rushing yards and- at his current clip- is on pace to log his first 1,000-yard season. His rise likely won’t be enough to keep the team from bolstering the RB room in the draft (as they should), but Dowdle has proven he can be a lead back and could make up half of a very potent one-two punch at the position in 2025. Bad: Calling for Rush to rip it late The Dallas ground game was working against Cincinnati, to the tune of 6.2 yards per rushing play on the night. The passing attack was far less effective. Yes, Cooper Rush threw a pair of touchdown passes, but coming into the fourth quarter, he had completed just 60.8% of his attempts. Yet with the score tied and six minutes to play- and after a gashing first-down run by Dowdle– Mike McCarthy went to the Rush well three straight times. All three passes- all targeting receivers not named CeeDee Lamb- fell horribly incomplete; the entire drive used one minute of clock and covered just the 14 yards that Dowdle had gained to start it. (Rush ended the night with a completion percentage just barely over 50%.) With loads of time still to play, the Cowboys gave the ball back to the Bengals for the fateful possession that led to the deciding special-teams blunder, but it was this utterly wasted drive and McCarthy stubbornly going away from the highest-probability playmakers on the team that set the table. Ugly: Giving more gifts in the red zone There’s shooting yourself in the foot, and then there’s pointing a cannon at your size 12s Yosemite Sam-style and taking everything below the knee clean off. The Cowboys lead the league in the latter. They scored a touchdown on their opening offensive possession for the first time all season, and then had the chance to follow it up on the next drive. Instead of taking a 14-7 lead on the first play of the second quarter, though, Rush’s pass- in the vicinity of two Cowboys and five Bengals defenders– ended up turning into the quarterback’s third interception of the season. Dallas already has the 31st-ranked red-zone offense, having converted less than 44% of their drives inside the 20 into touchdowns, but their seven red-zone turnovers in 2024 are the most in the NFL. Good: Offensive line depth coming up huge Chuma Edoga started over Tyler Guyton. Brock Hoffman was in at right guard for Zack Martin but had to slide over to center after Cooper Beebe couldn’t continue. Suddenly, Terence Steele was the most experienced O-lineman for Dallas, and it was Hoffman and T.J. Bass anchoring the front five. Not exactly a who’s who, but the kids were alright, allowing just three sacks on the evening and helping plow the road for Dowdle in the run game. Hoffman’s midgame shift to center was seamless. Perhaps even more impressive, the group accounted for only one penalty flag all night, a holding call on Bass that was declined anyway. Hearing that Matt Waletzko was the only lineman left in reserve was scary, but the Cowboys’ motley crew up front more than held their own. Bad: Letting Burrow carve up the secondary The Bengals quarterback is leading the league in attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns, and he’s second in QB rating. If were playing for a team in playoff contention, he’d be in the MVP conversation. Yes, the Cowboys knew he’d be a problem, but even with four extra days to scheme for him- and the combined trio of Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis making their first collective start ever- the secondary had zero answers for containing him. Burrow tallied 369 passing yards, his most in any game this season except for Cincinnati’s two shootouts with the Ravens and the most the Dallas defense has allowed in over three calendar years. Ugly: Everybody loves holding Micah Death, taxes, and offensive linemen holding Micah Parsons. It happens every week, and it seems to rarely get called as opponents struggle to contain the Cowboys’ brilliant pass rusher. Two of Cincinnati’s 10 called penalties on the night came as a result of linemen holding Parsons; many more
Cowboys CB, former 2nd-round pick, projected as great fit for Broncos to poach
Cowboys CB, former 2nd-round pick, projected as great fit for Broncos to poach K.D. Drummond Can the Dallas Cowboys afford to have their cornerback depth poached? Well, yes, because they aren’t going anywhere in 2024 and if a player on their practice squad can help someone else fight for the postseason, so be it. Now, this isn’t necessarily the case when it comes to young talent and potential. But veterans who are on the practice squad thanks to rule changes over the last several years? CB Andrew Booth falls into this category. Booth was a depth addition over the offseason, but was released and added back to the practice squad after he was under duress early this season. He was elevated for Monday night’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, but was made inactive when Trevon Diggs was able to play. If another team sees value in him, it’s unlikely Dallas would look to protect him at this point. The Denver Broncos might be that team, according to Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department, who identified him as a good in-season pickup. Riley Moss missed the game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13, and it exposed a hole in the Broncos roster. Without the surprise breakout corner, they don’t have a starting option across from Patrick Surtain II. Levi Wallace was torched against the Browns for 164 yards and a touchdown. Signing someone from a practice squad might not actually be an improvement. But it would allow the Broncos to at least get a younger player who might have some untapped potential. Andrew Booth is a former second-round pick who is still just 24 years old. Booth has appeared in three games this season for Dallas. He was a second-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
Cowboys injury mojo, beyond-dusty playoff chances among lessons learned in Week 14
McCarthy’s teams don’t learn Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images This has been a rough season for the Cowboys, who continue to shoot themselves in the foot. Despite being under .500, Dallas miraculously isn’t out of the playoff hunt and a third straight win could’ve catapulted this team into late-season success. And all that was briefly attainable when linebacker Nick Vigil blocked Ryan Rehkow’s punt with just under two minutes to play. The Cowboys were set to get the ball back on the Bengals’ side of the field with the opportunity to score and win the game. Time was winding down and they sport the kicker with the best boot on the planet. That wasn’t to be though, as cornerback Amani Oruwariye tried to pick up the loose ball and run with it. Instead of staying away and giving the offense a chance to close out a third consecutive win, Oruwariye never controlled the ball. The Bengals recovered it with a new set of downs and in great position to win, taking just three plays for the game-winning score. If the misplay looked familiar to Cowboys fans, it might have evoked memories from when defensive tackle Leon Lett tried to recover a blocked kick on Thanksgiving in a snowy 1993 game. However, there’s been a more recent play exactly like this one, and this also happened with McCarthy as the teams’ head coach. In a 2021 game against the Denver Broncos, the Cowboys blocked a punt they tried to recover and return. Then rookie CB Nahshon Wright fumbled the recovery attempt, which the Broncos finally secured to extend a drive. The Broncos won that game easily, 30-16. Just three seasons later, McCarthy’s team made the same mistake, and it cost them, again. For all the recent chatter about bringing McCarthy back, these types of issues make it difficult to get behind the idea. Best weapons show up Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images The Cowboys don’t have much offensive firepower, especially without starting quarterback Dak Prescott. However, it was evident in the loss how they do have two very good pieces on offense. There was little doubt about wide receiver CeeDee Lamb’s ability to be a weapon and he played well again, catching six passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. Lamb caught six of his seven targets, but only two passes came Lamb’s way after halftime, which has been a recurring problem. The Cowboys need to do a better job of throwing the ball to their All-Pro for 60 minutes. Running back Rico Dowdle backed up his first 100-yard rushing game, with another trip over the century mark. Dowdle ran for 131 yards, and a whopping 7.3 yards per carry in the loss. The Bengals couldn’t stop the rushing attack, but like Lamb, Dowdle didn’t have enough opportunities. Dowdle only had 18 carries on the game, despite his success. The offense needs to lean on Dowdle and Lamb in the last four games. Injuries are crippling the team Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images It has been a rough year for the Cowboys in terms of injuries, which have taken their toll on the team’s performance. Things went from bad to worse late in Week 14’s loss. Budding star LB DeMarvion Overshown went down in the fourth quarter to a catastrophic knee injury, which looks like it could be serious. It’s likely that Overshown won’t play again in 2024, ruining what had been a promising first year, but the fear is the injury might cost him most of next season as well. It’s one thing to have guys out for this disappointing campaign, but long-term injuries this late in the season that affect next year is a crushing blow for the Cowboys. The team’s injury woes went from bad to worse in a loss that has ramifications well past this week. That’s a tough pill to swallow. Home still a house of horrors Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys. Normally playing at home in the NFL is cause for optimism, but for the Cowboys, it has been a house of horrors. The team is now 1-6 at AT&T Stadium and is giving up over 30.5 points per game. In every game, an opposing team has had a player throw for over 300 yards, rush for over 100 yards or have over 100 yards receiving. In this loss, Bengals QB Joe Burrow threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns, while WR Ja’Marr Chase caught 14 passes for 177 yards and two scores. Opposing teams are making a living off the Cowboys in their own building. Luckily the team got a win on their home turf on Thanksgiving, so they won’t be shut out in their own building, but it doesn’t get much worse than having almost every loss be in an embarrassing fashion. The only team with a worse record at home this season is the New York Giants, at 0-7. So, they got that goin’ for them, which is nice! Playoff dream is dead Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images In the last two weeks, there’s been some hope that a late season turnaround could propel the Cowboys into the playoffs. The schedule down the road isn’t daunting and an upset or two could lead to a postseason berth. That dream died in the Week 14 loss. The Cowboys would have to win out just to have a chance and have a measly 1.3% shot at making the playoffs right now. They currently stand 13th in the NFC, three games behind the last wild card team. Leapfrogging five teams, three of whom the Cowboys have already lost to, feels like an enormous task, especially considering they play three of their last four games against current playoff teams. It was a tall order before losing to the Bengals, it’s nearly impossible now. The pipedream of having a miracle comeback season for the ages is gone, and probably something only a fool would have thought
Cowboys open roof for ‘Monday Night Football’… without incident this time
Cowboys open roof for ‘Monday Night Football’… without incident this time Todd Brock With a two-game win streak under the Cowboys’ belt, the sky is no longer falling in Dallas. And now as the team gears up for a Week 14 primetime bout with the Bengals, neither is the roof over their heads. The retractable roof at AT&T Stadium has been opened for the Monday night matchup, just three weeks after a large piece of sheet metal crashed to the playing surface hours before the team’s Nov. 18 game against the Texans. No one was hurt in that incident, and the roof was closed in plenty of time for the evening’s game, which Dallas lost by a 34-10 score. The piece of metal turned out to be a covering lid to a cable tray located within the inner workings of the roof. High winds in the area that day had loosened the lid, and a heavy gust sent it flying only a couple hours prior to kickoff. Crews later determined that there were no structural issues with the stadium. The venue stayed open and then hosted another game Thanksgiving Day, although the roof remained closed. The Monday forecast in Arlington called for temperatures around 56 degrees at kickoff after a sunny and wday in the area. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] The roof at the 15-year-old stadium has been open for less than 25% of all Cowboys home games since its grand opening. Monday night will mark the first time it’s been left open for a Cowboys game since Oct. 30, 2022. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Infuriating, unbelievably dumb mistake costs Cowboys late in 27-20 loss to Bengals
Infuriating, unbelievably dumb mistake costs Cowboys late in 27-20 loss to Bengals K.D. Drummond In front of Troy Aikman, no less. The Dallas Cowboys had one of those once-in-a-lifetime bad decisions haunt them in a winnable game. Harkening back to nightmarish memories from Leon Lett in Thanksgiving snow in 1993, a beautiful special teams play turned into a disastrous losing moment. Late in the fourth quarter of a game tied at 20, Dallas’ defense pushed Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati offense way back to a 4th and 27 from their own side of the field. The punt, at the two-minute warning, would give the Cowboys a chance for a third win in a row and near them to .500. A block! But they touched it. Unbelievable. Bengals ball. Madness. In a wildly disappointing 2024 season, this is the first gut punch loss for the Cowboys. Every other loss had been a blowout, even the ones they made look close. And despite all of that, Dallas didn’t give up on the season. But this loss? This one might have broken everyone’s spirit. Cornerback Amani Oruwariye, just activated from IR before kickoff, attempted to corral a bouncing ball after linebacker Nick Vigil blocked the punt, but instead saw the ball bounce off his arm and past him. The Bengals recovered and a dejected Cowboys defense that had held the dynamic Cincy offense to just 20 points, came back out on the field. Well, their bodies came back out, but their souls didn’t. A few plays later, Burrow found Ja’Marr Chase on the right sideline, and he spun away from an over-pursuing DaRon Bland and raced 40 yards for the score. Bengals win, 27-20. Dallas drops to 5-8. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
54-man Cowboys Roster for Week 14: Send All-Pro to IR, adding 3 CBs, will Trevon Diggs play?
The Dallas Cowboys return to the field on Monday night, but their roster is going to look a little different when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals. The club hasn’t taken the field since Thanksgiving, meaning their minibye is close to being a second by for the season. They deserve it, after having back-to-back short weeks that really took a toll on their injury statuses. Dallas played Monday night in Houston in Week 11, then played Sunday at home in Week 12, just to turn around and play Thursday afternoon. Three games in 10 days is asking a lot, especially late in the season. As a result, there’s been some roster shuffling since facing off against the Giants. The recent revelation that nine-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin is done for the season has resulted in him being moved to IR. Also out for the year is cornerback Josh Butler. The two open roster spots are both being taken up by cornerbacks. Amani Oruwariye is being activated from IR and Kemon Hall is being permantently promoted from the practice squad. Dallas is using just one of their elevations this week, also bringing Andrew Booth up from the practice squad. Adding three cornerbacks while losing only one is interesting, as many expected Trevon Diggs to return after missing the last several games. Perhaps the club is going to shift Isreal Mukuamu back to a safety role as the only active players at that position currently are starters Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker. Here’s a look at the 54-man roster. 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 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) October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Smith (73) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Tyler Smith Brock Hoffman TJ Bass Centers (1) 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 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 (6) 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 Amani Oruwariye Kemon Hall Andrew Booth (elevation) Safeties (4) 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 Israel Mukuamu Juanyeh Thomas (out) 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
Monday Night Football schedule: Is there a ‘ManningCast’ for Cowboys-Bengals?
Monday Night Football schedule: Is there a ‘ManningCast’ for Cowboys-Bengals? K.D. Drummond When the game isn’t going to be very interesting, it’s a good thing when broadcast partners have gimmicks in their back pockets. Peyton and Eli Manning have returned for a fourth season of the ManningCast with the two former quarterbacks set to provide commentary for 11 weeks of Monday Night Football games this fall. The brothers released a funny 10-minute musical to promote the upcoming ManningCast season in September. The 2024 slate includes tonight’s Cowboys-Bengals game that will be televised on main ESPN, which is available to stream on fuboTV (try it free). The game is also being broadcast in a different way. Over on ESPN+, Disney+ and NFL+, the game will be shown in the world of Springfield; an animated version of things that will be in the world of the Simpsons. “Each Bengals and Cowboys player will appear as a motion-enabled, animated player for the special primetime matchup,” the release stated. In addition to 10 games during the regular-season action, the Manning brothers will also provide commentary for a Wild Card game in January. Check out the full schedule below. ManningCast 2024 Schedule NFL Week Date Game TV 1 Sept. 9 Jets @ 49ers ESPN2, ESPN+ 2 Sept. 16 Falcons @ Eagles ESPN2 5 Oct. 7 Saints @ Chiefs ESPN2 6 Oct. 14 Bills @ Jets ESPN2 7 Oct. 21 Ravens @ Bucs ESPN2, ESPN+ 8 Oct. 28 Giants @ Steelers ESPN2, ESPN+ 9 Nov. 4 Bucs @ Chiefs ESPN2 11 Nov. 18 Texans @ Cowboys ESPN2 12 Nov. 25 Ravens @ Chargers ESPN2 14 Dec. 9 Bengals @ Cowboys ESPN2, ESPN+ Wild Card Jan. 13 TBD ESPN2, ESPN+ The ManningCast is televised on ESPN2. The primary MNF broadcast will continue to feature Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters on ESPN. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys Headlines: Micah throws support behind McCarthy, Witten’s team wins title, cheerleader’s torn allegiance
Cowboys’ Parsons wants McCarthy, others back in 2025 :: ESPN Link Parsons echoed Dak Prescott in voicing support for his head coach to return next season. “I would like a fair shot with everyone back- players, coaches- because the injuries kind of struck of what this season could really be,” Parsons said. “I just don’t know how the business side of it’s going to go, you know? [Owner and general manager Jerry Jones] has his own mindset about who he wants to coach. This is his team. I’m kind of just, like, a pawn in this business.” Parsons reiterated that he wants to be a Cowboy for life, even if it takes “hard conversations and reality checks.” Why Cowboys’ Micah Parsons, Jake Ferguson, Rico Dowdle should have field days vs Bengals :: Cowboys Wire Link Cincinnati will be without starting left tackle Orlando Brown on Monday, leaving a backup to contend with Parsons. Ferguson makes his comeback against a Bengals defense that has been torched by tight ends all season long, and Dowdle should find opportunities against the zone-heavy scheme. It all makes for a seemingly winnable Week 14 game for Dallas. Bengals get expected bad injury news before Week 14 vs. Cowboys :: Bengals Wire Link In addition to Brown being declared out at left tackle, Cincinnati will also be without defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins, who has been dealing with a viral illness. Rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson will take on bigger roles in a D-tackle rotation with BJ Hill. Jourdan Lewis talks defensive improvements, Bengals ‘aggressive’ offense :: The Mothership Link The Bengals’ 4-8 record does not give an accurate picture of how dangerous their offense can be. They stand fifth in the NFL in points per game (27.9), first in passing yards per game (264.3), and ninth in total yards per game (356). Seven of their eight losses this season have come in one-possession games, and the Bengals average 27.75 points per game in losses, which is more than the Cowboys average per game this season (20.7). “We got to be prepared to stop that,” Lewis explained, “because they got a lot of playmakers that make plays and can burn us.” Mike McCarthy praises Chuma Edoga, says veteran would’ve been Cowboys’ Week 1 starting LT :: Dallas Morning News Link If Tyler Guyton can’t go Monday night with an ankle sprain, Edoga making his first start of the season won’t exactly be a downgrade… at least in the eyes of his head coach. “I think going back to training camp, that was a big injury in the Rams game, the preseason game,” McCarthy said of the veteran’s summer foot injury. “But if he wasn’t injured, he would have been our starting left tackle. So, yes, it’s great to have him back.” This is the Cowboys offense’s best chance without Dak Prescott :: Cowboys Wire Link A zone-happy defense could tempt the Cowboys into taking deep shots early and often. But that’s not been Cooper Rush’s strong suit this season, as he ranks near the very bottom in long (and even) intermediate throws. Running the ball and complementing that with a dink-and-dunk attack of short passes will be- by far- the better strategy for a Week 14 win. ‘Monday Night Football,’ ‘Simpsons’-style: What to expect in ESPN’s unique alt-cast :: The Athletic Link Along with The Simpsons version of the game mirroring the on-the-field action in real time, expect plenty of jokes and gags to be inserted to give the alt-cast more of the flavor of the long-running animated series. (Like, perhaps, Mr. Burns lurking in the owner’s box with Jerry Jones.) The whole thing will be presented as a dream where Homer eats too many hot dogs and imagines himself coaching the Cowboys on Monday Night Football against Bart’s Bengals. Dallas Cowboys cheerleader will be cheering for a Bengal on Monday night :: Fox 4 KDFW Link One member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader may be somewhat torn Monday night. Zoe Dale, a second-year veteran of the squad, is currently dating Bengals kicker Cade York, the McKinney native who was signed by Cincinnati this week. “She’s already told me second quarter and fourth quarter is when she’s on the visitor side. I’ll have to sneak her a couple of smiles,” York said. Argyle Liberty Christian bests Dallas Parish Episcopal, claims TAPPS D1 state title :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Link Jason Witten’s team- winners of the state’s Division II crown last year- claimed the Division I title with a 45-24 win over the five-time reigning champs. The former Cowboys tight end is now 38-11 in his four years at Liberty Christian, including 36-3 over the last three seasons. One of his standout senior contributors was his son CJ, who will go on to play collegiately at Rice. “Can’t say enough about the whole senior class,” said Witten. “I am so unbelievably proud of what they have accomplished and what they have meant to the program.” Division rival flies plane banner Dallas Cowboys fans dream of :: SI.com Link Plenty of Cowboys fans have grown vocal about their displeasure with Jerry Jones’s ownership these days. A group of Giants fans, however, put their money where their mouths are. Prior to Big Blue’s home game versus the Saints on Sunday, a plane few over MetLife Stadium with a banner that read, “MR. MARA ENOUGH – PLZ FIX THIS DUMPSTER FIRE.” 4-Round Cowboys 2025 Mock Draft: Replacing Zack Martin, new WR, DTs on deck :: Cowboys Wire Link This mock assumes that Martin, Brandin Cooks, and Osa Odighizuwa will be gone in 2025. With the 13th overall pick, the Cowboys look to replace their award-winning right guard with monstrous Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons, who they’ll shift inside. A trade with New England ships off the second- and fifth-round picks for three selections in Rounds 3 and 4. Dallas then rounds out their haul with Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals, defensive tackles from Oregon and Kentucky, and
CeeDee Lamb player props odds, tips and betting trends for Week 14 | Cowboys vs. Bengals
Check out these betting trends and insights before you place player prop wagers on CeeDee Lamb for Monday’s game, which starts at 8:15 PM ET on ESPN. Lamb and the Dallas Cowboys (5-7) meet the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) in Week 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Watch CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys vs. Bengals on Fubo! CeeDee Lamb week 14 player props Matchup: Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals Time: 8:15 PM ET Date: December 9, 2024 Rushing yards prop: Over 1.5 (-111) Receiving yards prop: Over 67.5 (-115) National Football League odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds updated Sunday at 10:35 PM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Lamb receiving stats and trends Lamb’s 73.3 receiving yards average is 5.8 more than his over/under for Monday’s game. He has gained over 67.5 receiving yards in five of 12 games this year. Lamb’s average of 73.3 receiving yards is lower than his average prop total of 76.3. In five of 12 games, Lamb has gone over on his receiving yards prop bet. He has caught a touchdown pass in three of 12 games this season, including more than one TD pass on one occasion. Cowboys vs. Bengals stats and trends The 241.0 yards per game the Bengals are conceding through the air makes them the NFL’s 27th-ranked pass defense. The Cowboys are totaling 236.8 passing yards per game offensively this season (10th in NFL), and they are surrendering 212.1 passing yards per game (10th) on defense. The Cowboys rank second-worst in rushing offense (85.8 rushing yards per game) and second-worst in rushing defense (147.6 rushing yards per game allowed) this season. In addition to 6.1 yards per play allowed on defense, which ranks fifth-worst in the NFL, the Cowboys have put up the 25th-ranked yards-per-play average on offense (5.2). Watch the NFL on Fubo! Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Cowboys Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
4-Round Cowboys 2025 Mock Draft: Replacing Zack Martin, new WR, DTs on deck
The Dallas Cowboys cannot afford to waste any draft picks, despite their recent misuse of their fourth round picks. Some internal data must have told the front office that it’s better to use those selections on currently disappointing young veterans than rookies out of school. The team used their 2024 fourth rounder to acquire QB Trey Lance who hasn’t seen any significant action in two seasons and is going to be a free agent in 2025 after originally being selected third overall by the San Francisco 49ers. Earlier this season, the club sent away their 2025 fourth rounder to bring in WR Jonathan Mingo, who has yet to show any serious ceiling in his handful of games. We can’t fix that in real life, but in the mock draft world, we can work to correct such errors by trading back. The Cowboys are going to have plenty of holes to fill this coming offseason, and the biggest might be the replacement of Zack Martin, who has hinted at retirement and is now out for the year with an ankle injury. His decision will likely include consideration of the new coaching staff and blocking scheme, as he’s had two down years under Mike Solari. In this mock, we assume he’s calling it a Hall-of-Fame career. Other considerations are the departure of WR Brandin Cooks, DT Osa Odighizuwa and other needs. Here’s a look at a four-round mock draft conducted on Pro Football Focus. Cowboys pick at No. 13 The current draft order projection for Week 14 is that the Cowboys’ 5-7 record places them 13th in the first-round draft order. Cowboys Team Needs Sep 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones on the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat New Orleans 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Dallas has needs all over the place, and as always will have to balance their free agent moves… ahaha just kidding. They’ll need to balance their availability projections. If they need to fill two positions pretty equally, and one is top heavy and the other is deep, it’s probably a better decision to grab the prospect from the top-heavy position. Dallas is in need of a running back, wideout, defensive end, and defensive tackle. They could also potentially need safety help, depending on if they give the youngsters a chance to show their worth, along with linebacker depth. And as explained above, QB shouldn’t be ruled out if one who they think is special is staring them in the face. Top 12 picks ahead of Dallas BOULDER, COLORADO – APRIL 27: Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes warms-up prior to their spring game at Folsom Field on April 27, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) Jacksonville Jaguars : WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado Las Vegas Raiders: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State New York Giants: DT Mason Graham, Michigan New England Patriots: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona Carolina Panthers: DE Abdul Carter, Penn State New York Jets: Safety Malaki Starks, Georgia Tennessee Titans: QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama Cleveland Browns: T Wil Campbell, LSU New Orleans Saints: Edge Nic Scourton, Texas A&M Cincinnati Bengals: CB Will Johnson, Michigan Chicago Bears: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri Miami Dolphins: OT Kelvin Banks, Jr., Texas 1.13: Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Josh Simmons (71) blocks Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports With the departure of Martin, the Cowboys look to immediately replace him with a midwest tackle they’ll shift inside. Hopefully similar results as their 2014 choice ensue. Simmons stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 310 pounds, and is a monster whose minimal deficits will be mitigated on the interior and wealth of talents put to greater use. Simmons has missed time this season after knee surgery, but the power and athleticism he showed will make him an easy first-round selection if his medicals are cleared. Trade Down: New England Patriots Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports The Patriots wanted to package their two third-round picks to move up into the second round and Dallas jumped at the chance to demand an early fourth rounder as well, in exchange for including their own fifth rounder. Cowboys receive 3.68, 3.83, 4.105 Patriots receive 2.45, 5.149 Cowboys Mock Draft 5.0 Complete Haul Sep 30, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Utah State Aggies wide receiver Jalen Royals (1) runs the ball for a touchdown against the UConn Huskies in the second half at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports 1.13 OG Josh Simmons, Ohio State 3.68 WR Jalen Royals, Utah State 3.77 DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon 3.83 DT Deone Walker, Kentucky 4.105 RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
