Cowboys Report: Live News & Rumors + Q&A w/ Tom Downey (Oct. 9th)

Cowboys Report: Live News & Rumors + Q&A w/ Tom Downey (Oct. 9th)

Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] And we are back live here on the Cowboys report. The final live show before the Cowboys take on the Panthers in week six of the NFL season. Tom Downey here, producer Aiden behind the scenes on today’s show. Who you got in this upcoming matchup? I think I know how the majority of people will vote, but still a chance to sound off and have your voice heard. C for the Cowboys, P for the Panthers. Let me know in the comments section of today’s show who you have winning this one. C for the Cowboys, P for the Panthers. I assume it’s going to be a lot of C votes, but maybe you’re thinking upset. 96% right now voting in favor of the Cowboys. Uh, Jacqueline Benwis is the only one that has a P in there. Um, C’s from Tyler, Brendan, Mary, Jason, War in Peace, Warin. It’s kind of funny back to back there. Trey, Big T, Trey, and Essay, Rex, Chad, uh, Divine, Clayton, Marcus, Elizabeth, Steven, all typing in their C’s. Uh, Trey Manning’s got a C. Rico doubt worshiper C. Uh, which is always fun to me in the end. Uh, C’s from Rusty and Trey and Yeet God, ISO, Scoot, uh, let’s see, uh, Vinnie Hagen, Chris, Javius, Marcus Bennett, all typing in their C’s. Dallas is favored in this one against Carolina. A road game in this one. So, get your votes in. C for the Cowboys, P for the Panthers. Uh, I do see one more P from Nicholas Davis in there as well. We’ll talk trades on today’s video. You saw some action last 48ish hours, give or take, a little bit less than 48, I suppose. uh in the trade world, the Browns and Bengals doing the Joe Flacco trade, the Adafloe Gilman trade, and the really interesting uh Tyson Campbell Greg Newsome swap, which almost felt like the Browns saving some cash with a trade because they’re now they don’t have to pay Greg Newsome. They’ve already got um now Tyson Campbell under contract. So, why for yes and for no? Will the Cowboys end up making a trade? Y or N? Let’s see. I see yeses from Brian and Jason. Uh again, a question on Miles Garrett. Miles Garrett’s not available, guys. The the Browns can’t afford to do it. There’s so much dead money involved there. Miles Garrett trade only was going to happen before they paid him. So, it’s just it’s not in the cards at all. Just straight up not. Decent split on the yeses and nos. We’ll I bet they wait at least two more weeks and then we’ll see how they want to play things out where they sit. uh when we get to two weeks from now, you’ll have played the Panthers and played the Commanders. You’ll probably know if you should be viewing yourself as a contender, small, large, or not at that point. So, get your votes in. Y for yes, N for no. Will the Cowboys make a trade? I don’t know if we’re going to see any more trades this week, but I wouldn’t be surprised if next Monday, next Tuesday, we see another trade or two just across the NFL in general. Uh whether or not it’s specifically for the Cowboys, we shall see. Get those votes in. Y for yes and for no. AJ Pawir, a $5 super chat. What can the Cowboys do to avoid slow starts on offense? Know that they start games slow and conservative. Let me go back and look at the numbers here on what they’ve done. Uh let me just do let me pull up the first quarter splits for the Cowboys this year. Uh first quarter their average Oh, it’s not offensive splits. I want total splits. splits by I guess it is doing splits by quarter which is interesting. It’s both pass and run. Um they’ve been a little bit more runheavy in the first quarter. 28 carries against 30 attempts in the first quarter compared to just a fewer plays in general in the first quarter is is a factor. Um just overall there. And then it’s 27 runs versus 58 throws. That’s also two-minute warning going more pass aggressive. 33 runs versus 35 runs in the third quarter. Uh the yards per attempt aren’t drastically different. They’re still doing a good job in terms of that area. I think finishing off drives is probably a big thing and not settling for field goals is probably the main element there. And you know it’s scripted plays. The Cowboys often defer in the first to begin the game. So that is one less one less possession they get there and it bounces out in the third quarter. They’ve got a lot more plays in the second, third, and fourth quarter. I sure it’s probably a factor. Obje $5 super chat gets him into our raffle this upcoming weekend against the Panthers. Any super chat is a shout out. $5 gets you a raffle entry. $10 gets you three. 50 bucks is a shotty and $100 is a beer bong. No one’s done the midweek beer bong yet, but it does still get you all the entries. Does get you into the helmet of honor as well. And we’ll do a beer bong for it. On top of that, I want you guys to grade Brian Shotttimer as the Cowboys play caller so far this season. Not not head coach specifically play caller. I think it is potentially reasonable to have two different grades on that front, but great shotty as the Cowboys play caller. His first time calling plays in a while. I have overall been pretty pleased with it. There’s a lot of the stuff that I was hoping we were going to see. I think we’re seeing um not being my biggest was is this just going to be run run pass like his dad was. It’s not it’s not run pass. Um if anything it’s a little bit more less pass heavy although it is kind of run at least once on the first two downs which I don’t love second and 10 runs but at least you’re better at running the football this year. So grade the Cowboys a great shot timer as the Cowboys play caller. B minus A, B plus B, B plus A, B plus B plus B, B plus B plus B, A, A, A, A. So, lot of B’s, lot of A’s so far, which I think is is reasonable uh for that to be the the current grading scale and review uh for the Cowboys so far. So, great shotty as a play caller. And Divine says, “Shouts Clayton Adams.” Did a whole video on that about the run game with Adams and I I agree. He has been really really good. All right, $5 from William Cook. I noticed the team seems more prepared for games than in the McCarthy era. I think Shotti is a good play caller, too. They’ve come prepared for their two biggest games of the year, Eagles and the Packers. Now, it’s only been five games. I I think a lot of the stuff on Shottenheimimer, you know, I’ve seen the Cowboys new offensive coordinator have a lot of good stuff and then it like goes away in September or in in December as I’m with Kell Moore multiple times. So, I I do want to see it continue beyond this, but I I do think it’s off to a very good start. And, you know, they didn’t come out flat against the Eagles or Packers. They didn’t even come out that really scared it felt like. So, I I do agree on that front there. Now, if you want the Cowboys to crush the Panthers, blow them out. And we have a fun watch party on Sunday. Show it by liking today’s video, please and thank you. Free, simple, easy to do. All you have to do is like the video on today’s show. Uh we are at not close to the 50% like ratio, frankly. So, help us out. Actually, we’re like the quarterish mark. So, help us out. Like today’s video, cuz the more the more likes we get, the more likely it is the Cowboys take down the Panthers. Appreciate everyone who has already liked today’s show. Coming up on today’s Cowboys report, we’ll run through some Cowboys trade rumors discussed with a lot of uh the other uh chat sports hosts who could be available. We’ll do a kind of a playaction offense deep dive kind of tying into the run game stuff we had discussed previously here on the channel. We’ll have a mailbag for you as well. Two ways to get on the show. #cowboys skip the line alto together. Guarantee you get on via super chat. If you don’t use that hashtag Cowboys, producer Aiden cannot find your question and cannot get it up on screen. And we’ll have our second preview between the Cowboys and the Panthers. One really interesting stat I came across that I didn’t anticipate being that way and I am curious to see if the Cowboys can exploit it. All covered live here on the Cowboys Report. [Music] Welcome into the Cowboys report. Tom Downey here. Jerry Jones once again expressing interest in a potential trade before this year’s NFL trade deadline, which ends up coming here on November 4th. Here’s what Jerry said after this week’s win. I think that old sign is out. Open for business is there. I think that we are continually looking as we go on into the season. teams which themselves where they basically feel like less of a contender because of the losses or circumstances on their team. That’s when you’ll see sometimes some better players that are available because they decided to start re redoing some things on their salary cap for instance or the opportunities there and that’s when you start getting those calls and yes we’re in a position to improve our team if we get an opportunity to do so. So, will the Cowboys make a trade or is Jerry just going to let the phone calls come to him and not be aggressive enough? Or maybe the right value isn’t there? Get your predictions in. One for yes, zero for no. Let me know in the comments of today’s video. Now, I’m looking at a bunch of different potential trade candidates on today’s show, and I’m I’m focusing in kind of like what Jerry said on some of the worst teams in the NFL. Right now, there are eight teams that have one win or fewer. And here at Chat Sports, every single one of these teams has a host who covers them. So, what I did is I reached out to all the hosts and said, “Who are your realistically available trade candidates?” And I got all the lists and we’ll go through some of the ones that a are more notable, might help the Cowboys andor actually make sense for Dallas. It’s not like, you know, a quarterback or something along those lines. Only one name from our Jetso is Patrick Seamman, Bree Hall, which I think you could have some interest in. I do wonder if because of the play of Javvante Williams, who has been really good so far this year, if the cost to acquire Hall is going to be a little bit more out of whack versus what is, you know, realistically smart for you to give up. I do think having it be the right value is something you have to consider for the Cowboys. You start waving around your first round pick, you can get a deal done. Should you though? The Browns, no. Miles Garrett, it’s not happening. Stop asking me. Jerome Ford, is he better than Jaden Blue? I don’t even know at this point. David and Jojoku, you don’t need a tight end. Wyatt Teller is a good guard in a contract year, but you don’t need a guard right now. Devin Bush is a name to monitor. And this is a it does fit the Cowboys mold. They love those early round draft picks that kind of flamed out. BCH struggled, frankly, in Pittsburgh. um really undersized at 5’11 234. Doesn’t fit what Matt Eberlu typically likes there from a size perspective at the linebacker spot. He wasn’t great in Seattle. He’s kind of had a resurgent year though for the Cleveland Browns. And if you’re looking for a linebacker, this probably is one that isn’t going to be too expensive that you could at least pursue from a market perspective. Over to the Ravens, Katon Mitchell, again, you need a running back. Mark Andrews, you don’t need a tight end. You don’t need a t a tackle. And Daniel Fle Trenton Simpson is a backup linebacker in Baltimore who isn’t playing great. The big notable name there was maybe was from Joey Peterson, our our Ravens host. Maybe Rocoan Smith. We will go more in depth on that name because it’s a big name. Would you try to trade for him? We’ll get into some of the pros and cons and likelihood here. And there are issues with the likelihood sign. Why for yes, N for no? Let me know in the comments of today’s show. This is what Joey sent me on the Ravens potentially trading Rocoan Smith. I think it’s the least likely, but it’s still on the table given how bad he looked before the injury. He is currently hurt right now and the fact it would save up over $20 million in cash owed for the next two years. The only thing is there would have to be a good return. That’s how he spelled it with multiple O’s. Either on the interior of the defensive line or edge for Baltimore to do it. Sam Williams is not a good return on the edge. Can I emphasize that part for for for Smith? The numbers have declined a little bit. And I mean slightly over the last couple years. I think he was at his best probably in in 2022. I don’t know how much I’m going to blame Rocoan Smith for having some struggles this year before he got hurt. The Ravens have been a mess on defense all year long. That might not uniquely be a Roquan Smith injury. I think he instantly fixes the issues at linebacker. Now, he’s injured. That’s a huge red flag for me. I think that the I think the Ravens would consider it because they’re bad right now, but I think the the opportunity trade cost is probably going to be a little bit too expensive. It’s probably going to be more than what the Ravens would realistically give up or or what the Cowboys would give up to acquire Rogue One. Contractwise, he’s super cheap this year, but the Ravens can cut him next year. There’s no more guaranteed when he left on his contract, so it doesn’t actually do anything from like a bonus savings perspective. $20 million each of the next two years. So, I I will acknowledge it. I will monitor it. I am not going to get my hopes up, though. Today’s show is made possible by Omaha Stakes. In addition to their current 50% off sitewide sale, you can also get an extra $35 off right now by using promo code Cowboys at checkout. That link will be in the comments section and the description of today’s show. I am a huge fan of Omaha Steaks because I mean I’m a I guess I’m almost middle-aged guy who likes to eat meat. Sue me. It is delicious. Omaha Steaks has all kinds options. Not just steaks, by the way. Burgers, uh, Juicy Franks. They’ve got chicken as well. You can get all kinds of options. Maybe you just go with the classic favorites assortment, which you tack on the extra $35 off with promo code cowboys. This is under $100 for four steaks, four pork chops, four burgers, four Franks, a a box of fries, camel uh caramel, apple tartlets, seasoning, and just delicious food to take care of of dinner for a week and beyond. So, during their uh early Black Friday sale event, go get an extra $35 off by using promo code cowboys at checkout. That’s on top of the current 50% off sitewide that you can get by going to omahastak.com and using promo code cowboys. Again, folks, go to omahastakkes.com to get 50% off sitewide, plus an extra 20% off select favorites and more limited time deals during their early Black Friday sale. Use promo code cowboys at checkout for an extra $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Seite for details. A big thank you to our advertiser today, Omaha Stakes. Let’s go to the Dolphins. And we’ve spent a lot of time on Bradley Chub and on Jaylen Phillips. So, you can go check out those channels. I don’t really feel the need to to rehash that too much. Ma Fitzpatrick is a name that I do want to mention here on today’s show. Veteran player, not maybe the prime version of himself from, you know, previous years. I don’t know if that’s really what he offers at this time, but I do think he he would help you with safety. You’re banged up right now in the back end. You know, Mink is not crazy expensive. Still a very good safety like in the conversation for best in the NFL, but I think he helps you in a lot of different ways. I don’t know if Jordan Brooks is available. Wasn’t name mentioned uh by Nick, but I I I would definitely keep an eye on Minka if they were to actually invest in a safety. I will say when Minka first got traded years ago, the Cowboys did have some interest there. They didn’t offer enough to get the deal done. They weren’t that close to it, frankly. They never offered more than a two, but there was some interest the last time around. Let’s go to the Saints. They have been heavily linked in trade rumors. Our Saints host, Trace Gerard, is not as convinced that they end up selling. There’s a long list of names he sent, but they’ve all got issues. Demario Davis, Alvin Kamara, Cam Jordan, aging, frankly declining players who have also made a big deal about at least publicly wanting to retire as a Saint. Chris Ave, Rasheed Shahed are awesome wide receivers. You don’t need a wide receiver. I’m also not convinced that they trade them because how can you judge your young quarterback if you don’t have those guys? Justin Reed, I don’t know if if the contractwise that actually makes sense for anybody involved. Pete Warner is a linebacker. I don’t know if he’s good enough to really fix things. Like if you didn’t have the Marvin Nova show coming back, maybe that would make some more sense. Trevor Penning, Brian Brazie, Taesm Hill don’t fill needs for you. Also, don’t don’t don’t do Taesm Hill. So, name a player who you want the Dallas Cowboys to trade for. Try to keep it realistic. You’re not getting Miles Garrett, but let me know in the comments section of today’s show. Mr. friends sent me this list of names for the Raiders. Jacobe Meyers, Dylan Parm, Jackson Powers Johnson, Tyrie Wilson, no Max Crosby. We could maybe revisit that next season. Um, unless you just start waving around two first round picks and more, which does that defeat the purpose a little bit of what you did with the Michael Parsons trade at that this point? Does it even matter? Uh, Wilson, I think, would be available, but I don’t need a guy at edge. I need the guy at edge. Tennessee, maybe they shop Calverly who’s been super inconsistent for them. Kevin Zitler as a veteran guard. Do they want to get worse with their uh offense to help out Cam Ward? Jeffrey Simmons has played well. And if you didn’t have Kenny Clark, I’d be singing a very different tune about adding Simmons, who’s off to a really good start this year. Looks like there could even be, you know, Pro Bowl allp pro caliber seasons here. But I don’t think Simmons fits what the Cowboys need. And from a cash flow perspective, you’d be paying like something close to $60 million for three defensive tackles next year. And that doesn’t make sense unless you’re going to cut one of them. In which case, why are you trading for them to not have it be why you giving up assets for a rental DT when you have two guys already? So, I don’t think that makes much sense. If Taj Spears flashes, you know, maybe you could revisit Tony Pard, but again, is assets for running back what you need right now? We have you covered on all the latest and greatest Cowboys news, trade rumors, everything else in between. So, if you haven’t already, hit that sub button, youtube.com/cowboystv for more free Cowboys YouTube videos. Let’s go to the Giants. Now, you always got to be aware of intra division trades, though although we did see the Browns and Bengals do one here. Uh Jaylen Hyatt, you don’t need a receiver. Daniel Bellinger, you don’t need a tight end. Evan Neil, you don’t need he could be a free agent option for you next year as a as a rehab uh candidate. Kavon Tibido will come back to Bobby Okaki and Deontay Banks. Tibido I am intrigued by. You know, he’s under contract next year. It is kind of expensive. He’s probably the odd man out in the Giants pass rush room with their investments in Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. I don’t know what the cost is for for Kavon. That’s the guy the Cowboys liked a lot coming out of Oregon and he might be able to be the dude at edge that actually depending on what the cost is I am highly intrigued in. Uh Bobby O for the Giants I think has kind of cooled off a little bit. The big thing that jumps out to me and it is just stat sheet scouting but it’s kind of true for the Giants defense. I want impact plays zero TFL TFLs zero INTS zero sacks. looks like he may have lost a half step at this point, but as a maybe could actually be your middle linebacker, which I don’t really know if you have a good enough one right now. That is a name to monitor. And then Deontay Banks would be kind of a rehab candidate at corner. I think because you’re getting back Kalin Carson soon in theory because you’re getting back other uh you know options down the line in Revel as well. You have some health with Diggs and Bland and and Elum. Knock on wood. I don’t know how much they want to add another corner right now. All right, predict the Cowboys record for me this season. Let me know in the comments section of today’s show. What do you think the Cowboys record will end up being this year? I’m going to sip some water real quick. What’s the Cowboys record? Someone said Jonathan Taylor. Not realistic, unfortunately. Uh because the Colts are good and they’re not trading away their best player. Probably their best player. 106 and one. I hate I just now realiz put a tie in the record every time. That’s so stupid. Oh, I hate that so much. Oh, I hate that so much. Uh 971 106 and 1 uh 115 and1 97 and1 106 and1 106 and1 106 and1 lots of nine win 10 win projections on that front from Roman Wolf Gaming a $2 super chat. What about Marlon Humphrey and Trey Hendrickson quarterback and defensive end? I don’t know if Humphrey is really available. I’m still not really sure just for the Ravens in general what their plan is this year because on one hand, a Humphrey’s been bad this year. Like he’s been really bad. I know he’s been a bit banged up um and maybe trying to do too much weird stuff with like where he’s being asked to play and everything, but I I have been really underwhelmed by home. They they’ve put him a lot in the slot this year. I know that they they were doing that last season, but he looks like he has lost a significant step. Again, it might be a coaching issue in Baltimore, but I do get worried when your 29-year-old corner looks like he’s lost a step. That kind of concerns me. Uh don’t know if he’s actually available. Ravens, I want you trade away Adaf also get a safety back to start for you. Like, are you selling or are you just kind of like realigning and you’re going to keep guys like Roan and Marlon Humphrey? Their schedule’s kind of easy after their buy. Frankly, I’m not convinced they’re going to go full on fire sale yet. Uh Hendrickson, the fact that they went out and traded for for Joe Flacco makes me think it is less likely the Bengals trade away Hendrickson. With that said, check it again in two weeks. In 3 weeks after the deadline, Bengals lose all those games. They might just say f it and and sell at that point. I I am I am curious to see how it ends up playing out for them. that that that is I think a little bit less likely because why would you trade for Joe Flacco then to trade away your best defensive player? That kind of that doesn’t align organizationally. Ignore the fact that this team paid the quarterback and then traded away their best defensive player. That’s not how most teams do it. All right, super chat menu on today’s show. Any super is a shout out. $5 is a raffle entry. $10 gets you three for our Cowboys signed jersey giveaway coming up on Sunday. 50 bucks for the shot, $100 for the beer bong as well. That is today’s super chat menu. Yeah, cool. Nothing important on the I always get worried when I see texts. I’m like, this is my wife. No, it’s not. We’re fine. We’re fine. That is the super chat menu. So, get your uh super chats in right now. Welcome back into the Cowboys report. On today’s show, we’re going to do more of a deep dive into one particular element of the Cowboys offense that has been upgraded from what it was last year. and how it is helping the Cowboys look like a much more competent offense under Brian Shanheimer. In particular, it is the playaction game that has drastically improved for the Dallas Cowboys. Several reasons for that. We will break it down, but last year I complained about this last year and it felt like the Cowboys struggled with what they were trying to do on play action. It felt like it was one of two plays. It was that little waggle, the play action roll out. check it down to Ferguson or a first forced vertical deep shot to you know Tolbert or Turpin that was always covered. It always felt like defenses knew what was coming and they were they were prepared for it. I don’t think it was a good designed uh play action game because it didn’t really match they were doing in the ground game. They weren’t married together properly. Now at the same time personnel matters. Getting pickins on this team helps you there. Game scripts certainly matter. Play action doesn’t really do anything for you. If you’re down by 20 in the third or fourth quarter, okay, run the ball for six yards. That’s fine. You’re taking away the big explosive play. So, it game scripts do matter. And the Cowboys have been in a much more favorable game script this past season. Their run game is also better. The threat of the run game is also better this year. We broke this down in depth and kind of teased this video at the end of the uh run games fixing which is led by Javvante Williams and Clayton Adams. It’s all interconnected. So, if you have not checked out the in-depth breakdown on how the different designed run game stuff is helping out the Cowboys significantly, go check it out. It’s on the channel. Make sure you are subscribed. YouTube.com/cowboysv. Let’s just first look at what the Cowboys playaction game is doing this year. And it is clicking. So Dak leads, this is all per NFL’s NextGen stats, by the way. Dak leads the NFL in completions with 46. He is second in attempts. He is second in completion percentage. He is second in completion percentage over expectations. So based on down and distance, everything there. Third in yards, tied for first in touchdowns. Has yet to throw a pick this year. Uh eighth in yards per attempt. He is fourth in total EP. That’s expected points added. So just a a comprehensive stat of like is this working? Yes or no? Essentially and EPA per play he is seventh. The Cowboys play action offense has been clicking this year. To put that plus 19.8 number in perspective. Dak Prescott this year total EPA a EPA play is plus 19.8 points. The previous three years combined he was at plus 8.9. It has doubled this year compared to the three previous previous three years combined. The playaction game is way better right now for the Dallas Cowboys. And there’s a lot of different reasons for that. We’ll dive into them on today’s show. So, are you happy with Brian Shottimer as the Cowboys play caller? Overall, I’ve been pretty pleased with it. Let me know in the comments section of today’s show. Why for yes and for no. I think the single biggest thing the Cowboys have done this year to make their play action game look better is they’ve married their pass game and their run game. And as a result in part there’s a lot of other, you know, pieces involved here. They they’re getting better play results. And what I mean by marrying the run game and play action game is you have to make it look at least somewhat similar. If you’re only going to run the ball under center, okay, well then it’s a run play. If you’re not going to do play action out of shotgun, play action out of under center. If you’re not going to have a diverse, you know, tree of getting into different looks again in the run and the pass, not going to help you. It felt like a lot in previous years. Then the data mostly backs this up as we’ll get into felt like the Cowboys would run under center and pass out of shotgun. To an extent, that is still the case, but the fine-tuned details are a little bit better this year. And there’s a really great answer on this exact topic from Brian Shottenheimer cuz Greg Olsen had mentioned something similar uh in the broadcast on Sunday, which I actually didn’t realize until Joe Hoy put it out and I was mad cuz I’m like, no, I was going to sit on that one. I had the idea first, but you know, great minds, whatever. Great long long answer from Shottenheimer, so bear with me on that, which we’ll get to here in just a second. But today’s show is made possible by ethos. I’ve got two kids now and yeah, I got a lot of responsibility. It’s not fun to think about what would happen if something happened to you, but you do need to be prepared. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get your free quote at ethos.com/nflaily. That’s ethos.com/nl. Ethos is a trustworthy company that disrupts the traditional life insurance industry and as of March 2025 was named by Business Insider as the number one nomed medical exam instant life insurance provider. Ethos is an online platform that makes makes getting life insurance fast and easy to protect family’s future in minutes, not months. There is no complicated process and it’s 100% online. No medical exam is required. You just answer a few health questions and get a quote in as little as 10 minutes. Three million families have completed their applications and trusted Ethos to help find the right coverage for them. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get your free quote at ethos.com/nl daily. Link will be in the comment section and the description of today’s show. Application times may vary and rates may vary. All right, long quote here from Shotheimer. Bear with me. He says, “Marrying the run of the past means there’s no scouting giveaways. There’s no tells. There’s no, hey, we’re in the gun. we’re throwing. If we’re under center, we’re running. And if we’re in a 2 by two with both edges closed, it’s 85% runs we have in the game. We’re going to have action pass off of that and vice versa. There is so much technology now in terms of our ability to get information that if you don’t do that, you’re battling uphill. If you don’t do that, in my opinion, there’s going to be a handful of plays in the game that the defense is predicting or the offense is predicting what you’re going to do. We actually have people on staff where that’s all they do. They tell us, “Hey, about this.” Some of it’s analytics, some of it’s coaches. I won’t get the spec specifics of it, but they’re looking for trends. Then then we’re going to break those trends. If you break those trends early in games, for example, in the openers, then the player says, “Okay, that doesn’t hold up anymore.” You I’ll go to Carolina Luke Keequley in terms of diagnosing things and having tells Russ coming off the bench and saying, “Yeah, he’s calling every play. He was literally calling every play.” What do you mean he’s calling out every play? Trap is here, a three-step there. I think the guys that over to do the studying, you can then use it as an advantage because otherwise you’re playing into their hands. I love that quote from Shottenheimer. And in general, the Cowboys are simply just doing more play action, but what their play stuff is is better aligned with what their passing concept is. You you this happens a decent amount in football where sometimes it feels like your run calls and your pass calls, there’s no cohesion between them. It’s it’s just like these all look the same. you if you’re going to go with with two tight end packages and you’re for this is all hypothetical you’re only running off two tight end packages well then there’s no threat of the pass that’s an extreme example but that’s what shot is talking about and in general Cowboys are simply doing more play action they are 10th in the NFL with play action rate this year at 28.2% 2% behind the Colts and Lions, Packers and Broncos and Chiefs and Seattle and Rams and Bears. You know what I notice about that entire list from one to nine? You know what the common trend is? They’re all different schematics. There’s plenty of Shanahan variation and and some McVey stuff in there. But if you were to rank the top play callers in the NFL, how many of those names are on that list? Play action should make your life or make life easier on the quarterback. That’s why I was mad last year when it wasn’t making life easier and they weren’t effective with it. Cowboys are 10th in play action this year. They were 31st in play action last year. Now again, you know, it does matter with with game scripts and everything, but there’s been more of a dedication to run those play action. They have four touchdowns against the Jets off of play action last week. More on this to come, but I want you guys to grade Brian Shottenheimer as a play caller. So far, at least A, B, C, D, or F. Let me know in the comments section of today’s show. Again, I do think that just the designs of those play action calls are good. That that screen to Jake Ferguson was a thing of beauty from a design perspective. You had a bunch of different stuff going on. You had under center, which we’ll go more in depth on here in a little bit. You had motion with Ryan Fenoy. You had a fake handoff to Williams and then the tight end screen. I that’s some that’s some lane keen college offense stuff. And I mean that in a good way. All that misdirection kind of freezes the linebacker’s eyes and you get an easy touchdown because of the play action. The one area I think the NFL is kind of adjusting and evolving here, it’s under center stuff. So 2024 Cowboys snap splits. They were in shotgun 69% of the time. It was a very high figure. They passed out of it 75% of the time. They were under center 27.8% of the time and ran it 72%. So, pretty big splits there of like if you’re in shotgun, it’s probably going to be a pass. Under center, probably going to be a run. That’s actually not that different of a split for most teams in the NFL. And in general, like game scripts matter. If you’re in shotgun a lot, you’re going to throw it. We saw some of that this year as well. The shotgun pass rate is actually up this year for the Dallas Cowboys a little bit higher in 2025. The under center rates though are higher. Shotgun is down a little bit. Shotgun pass is up a little bit. Under center rates are up. Under center pass rates are up as well. So don’t sleep on that. Look at what the Cowboys have done from an under center perspective of late. They were in, you know, a thirdish, less than a third, more than a quarter under center rates against the Eagles and Giants and Bears. But game scripts probably matter for those games. But the Packers and Jets, they’ve upped that significantly to 43 and 52%. Look at who the top teams are in under center play action. Rams, Lions, Seattle, Buffalo, Bears, Niners, Vikings, Patriots, Jags, Houston. There’s a lot of Shawn McVey and Shanahan trees involved there. But how often have we clamorred for those types of play calls? And those are all good offensive play callers. The up the the the trend in the NFL has been kind of reverting. It’s technical, right? You’re going back a little bit to some of the stuff you used to work. I mean, it was funny to see like the Rams in particular lead the NFL in under center rates. They they’re they’re at the top of play action rates. That was the original McVey offense with Jared Goff under center and then they got to the Stafford aired out stuff. Now they’re back to it. And the one element of football that’s kind of died out but has made a bit of a resurgence is the straight under center dropbacks where you go under center and you do a five seven step whatever drop and throw it and no play action instead of shotgun game. It’s under center dropbacks. Nobody uses this. The Cowboys are top five in this stat this year along with the ners, the Rams, Seattle, and Green Bay. And do you know what? Every single one of those teams have they’ve got some semblance of a Shanahan McVey Tree guy. Every single one of them have that. They’re they’re all they’re they’re all built from that type of organizational structure of having the the Shanahan McVey. That’s what we’ve been clamoring for, right? On offense, kind of getting elements of it with Brian Shottenheimer. So, what is your confidence level right now in the Cowboys offense? Scale it for me from 1 to 10. one in the low end, 10 on the high end. The NFL at its core is rather cyclical. You know, you’re going to have teams do a bunch of two high shell coverage. Well, how do you stop that? Easy way, run the ball down their throats. You’re going to pivot to the cover three stuff to to have the, you know, the Seahawks style stuff from way back when. Well, then you hit vertical shots over the top. The NFL is cyclical and the Cowboys leaning back into a more diverse run game that’s not just inside zone up the middle, utilizing more straight under center stuff, doing more play action stuff matters. It is very similar to what some of the adjustments have been as of late from the Shanahan and McVey guys. And I wonder if maybe for the first time in a long time on offense if the Cowboys aren’t actually behind the curve here. You’re either ahead of the curve or slash on the curve or by then it’s already too late. And I wonder if some of these changes we have seen from Shottimer and company on offense are going to pay massive dividends for this Dallas Cowboys offense. We can get your questions in on the show. Use Cowboys or skip the line all together via the uh super chat feature. #cowboys skip the line all together via super chat. Let me know what questions you have, what comments you have, what thoughts you have. Some super thanks. Uh we will get to here as well with of course it’s not pulling from me because I kind of hate the new YouTube studio update is is bad. Not a fan of it. Not a fan of it. But get your questions in via hashtag cowboys. Skip the line all together via super chat. This is the mailbag, by the way, on to or the the super chat menu. Wow. I can’t can’t use words right now. All right. Any super is a shout out. A $5 super chat is a raffle entry. A $10 super chat gets you three raffle entries like William Cook just did. 50 bucks is a shotty and $100 is a beer bomb. We’ll see if anyone wants to step up and drop the beer bong on today’s show. But let’s get to the mailbag coming up right now. Get those questions in as as soon as producer Aiden gives me the thumbs up. All set. Sweet. Last call. Get them in. Hashtag Cowboys or guarantee you get on with a super chat. A super thanks to begin today’s show from Matthew Helms. I have not been able to watch a lot of games this year. How has Hunter Lipkkey been and has he been a factor in Blitz pickup being down so many starters? He does not get talked about much, good or bad. He’s mostly been deployed as a blocker. I think he’s got a catch and a run so far this year. Mostly as a run blocker, which cool. Um I I would almost rather see him be involved more as like a hybrid tight end, Hback. You just kind of trust him to do some lead blocking stuff. I don’t think he’s actually been that great as a lead blocker. He’s been fine in blitz pickup, but Javvante has actually been super good in that area. So Lipkkey is just kind of your emergency extra power back, your fullback when you use one, your emergency tight end, your core special team. He just kind of is one of the last active men on your roster to help you out in that area. Now, today’s show is made possible by Omaha Stakes. Go to omahastakes.com to get 50% off sitewide, plus an extra 20% off select favorites and more limited time deals during their extra Black Friday sale. And when you use promo code cowboys at checkout, you get an extra $35 off. You can get a wide variety of not just steaks, but pork chops and chicken and burger. I mean, you get the essential griller bun, which is 16 free smash burgers, bacon wrap, flameans, chicken breasts, pork chops, burgers again, Franks, caramel apple tartlets, seasoning. You throw on the extra $35 off, you’re barely past $100 for all of that food. Get your deal today. And remember, Omaha Stakes is America’s butcher, America’s original butcher since 1917. They’re a family-owned company with 100% years of expertise in the meat industry. They carry mouthwatering burgers, chicken, pork, seafood as well. My wife is not a fan. I am a fan. So, it’s just for me in the end. So, get fired up for fall grilling with Omaha Stakes. Visit omahastakessakes.com for 50% off sitewide during their early Black Friday sale, plus an extra 20% off select favorites and more limited time deals. Use promo code Cowboys at checkout for an extra $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. See site for details. A big thanks to our advertiser Omaha Stakes. William Cook is next up. this great video. This is all on the Clayton Adams stuff showing how good coaches and players improve the team. I think Clayton Adams is the most significant addition to the team. I don’t disagree. I I I have been quite impressed with with what Clayton Adams has brought. It’s kind of everything I was hoping he was going to bring, he has brought so far for this Cowboys organization. He he has been able to to deliver the exact type of stuff I was hoping for. And I I think he has been a huge impact for this team. I don’t want to lose him. O line non-play calling coordinators don’t normally get that much buzz around them, but Cardinals miss him pretty clearly. Jaden Blue Burner, I really love Leaf Foul’s energy and tone setting. The problem is he is too physical after the play, getting penalties on special teams. I think Shotti is changing the culture as well. Players are buying in, playing hard, especially offensively. We do miss Lewis though. He was such a dog defensively. I do miss Jordan Lewis as well. Um it’s one of those like damn you I really wish you kept him. And if the Cowboys were ever honest about it, they would have said, “Oh, we didn’t pay Jordan Lewis because we’re going to have to pay Mah Parsons.” They didn’t pay Mike Parsons. Like they would have had a doover on that front if they could have. It’s okay. He’s playing good for Jacksonville. I’m happy for JL. I do miss him. You do need another dog on defense, I think. Like who who’s your dog right now? Leafoul’s got the energy, but I don’t know if he even like Overstoneone hopefully is when he’s back. But I I I do think I do think that’s a big thing that they’re missing right now. So, grade the job Shotty has done so far. A, B, C, D, or F. Let me know in the comments section of today’s show. Grade the job Brian Shottimer has done so far. A, B, C, D, or F. It’s the pin comment on today’s show. From William Cook. I wonder if being under center also reflects more confidence in the offensive line. Last year, I don’t think Dak really trusted the offensive line. Good call out here. Um I I do wonder that. I think it might have been more game script focused than anything else. They’ve always been actually a decent under center rep team. Like this is not Kyler Murray and Arizona all shotgun all the time stuff. Like I think the Cardinals have had zero straight under center dropbacks for like two years now, which is they just don’t do it period. Um as an example with Adams coming over from there. Um I I do wonder if that’s a factor. I I think that there is more trust in this offensive line this year. I think that there’s, you know, I I I do wonder if I think how you measured it from coaching matters, too. Like the thing about this from I I feel like last year the the mindset was we don’t trust the offensive line. We don’t trust the O line. Get it out quick. Get it out quick. And if that’s your messaging week in and week out, you kind of get in the in everybody’s head of like, okay, our our O line is bad. I don’t think that’s been the messaging this year from from the coaching staff. Like I at times I felt like last year the the O line coach didn’t like some of the players he had. That’s not an issue right now with Clayton Adams. So I think like overall trust not just from the quarterback, I think from the coaching staff is a factor there, too. Alvin Newborn, will our defense stop the run this weekend? I hope so. I think that is one of the bigger elements that is going to impact this game. The Panthers want to run the football. They want to make life easier on a inconsistent undersized quarterback in Bryce Young. I do think the run game is going to be a huge element of what the uh Panthers try to do. They ran the ball great last week. Dallas didn’t stop the run that great last week. You know, sometimes you get so focused on stopping the pass that the other element kind of trickles in and vice versa. They’re going to stop the run this week against against Carolina. From Raymond, can the Cowboys flip Tolbert for a stud defensive end or a linebacker? Stud, honestly, probably not. I think in general probably need to give up this idea of, well, I will offer you a day three pick and this player I don’t want for your top five player on your roster. It’s not how NFL teams do business. Like Jaylen Tolbert, I think does have some value, but it’s like day three-esque value. Not like like you’re not getting Trey Hendricks, not the Bengals receiver. You’re not getting Hendrickson for Tolbert. I joke about like Tolbert for a first from the Giants. That’s obviously a joke on social media, but they’re not going to give you Kavon Tibido for him. They’re going to ask for a lot more in exchange for tips. So, you could package him as part of it. I’m not opposed to that because I love what I’ve seen from Fenoy in only one game. But I I you’re you’re not going to get a great hall for the guy you don’t want anymore. So, do the Cowboys make a trade this year? Why for yes, N for no? Let me know in the comments section of today’s show. Why for yes, N for no? From Turner Sears, they lose the Panthers. That’ just be sad. I don’t even want to put that into the universe. I don’t I don’t want to I don’t want to have that thought out there, frankly. Stephen, uh, would you be disappointed if the Cowboys did nothing during the trade deadline? Let me see what it looks like in a few weeks. I I am open to it. You’re two two and one. Like, you’re kind of on the buffer of like, are you a contender? Are you a pretender? We don’t really know yet, frankly. I know Jerry thinks that they are, but it’s the Jones boys how they always operate. I I would I would want to be patient and check it again in two weeks. And there’s a scenario in which, yes, I’m upset that that they did nothing to make this team better and they’re wasting a prime year from Dak, whatever. And there’s a scenario where I’m like, you know what, they were right to not do any trades. It doesn’t make sense for them to go do something. I just I don’t think the Cowboys truly know how they should feel about that at this time. And you don’t have to yet. You got two plus weeks, three weeks to figure that out. From Tara, does the Bengals getting Flaco hurt the Hendrickson trade chances? I think that’s how we should be looking at it. Now, again, two, three weeks from now, we can re-evaluate and see how everything looks for the Bengals. But the fact that they went out and acquired a veteran quarterback in frankly a desperate trade, let’s call it what it is, was it was a desperate trade, it would be extremely non-cohesive to then say, “Let’s trade away our best defensive player.” Like, that’s not how NFL teams often operate. I think the fact they went out and got Flaco makes it more likely that they keep Trey. Now, if they lose their next games before the trade deadline, you know, maybe we reevaluate that, but for now, I will lean towards that makes me think that they will keep him. So, name a player who you want to trade for. Let me know in the comment section of today’s show. Keep it realistic. They’re not getting Miles Garrett. Let me know in the comments section of today’s show. Rico Dao worshipper. Hopefully the Cowboys resign George Pickkins and Javvante Williams. We can’t let them walk. You have the franchise tag available for George Pickkins. I think at minimum that will be the usage there. I think if if Williams keeps this up, you will be able to retain him. He’s made comments how much he loves being in Dallas. I think that there is some semblance of like loyalty maybe for both those guys of like you know hey they went out and got me like they they they they made the trade for Pickkins and I think he likes having a good quarterback for the first time in his career frankly. U Javon I think likes being in Dallas he fits well. You know the grass isn’t always greener somewhere else. I I I do think in terms of like keeping them on the roster next year if you want to you’re not you’ve got plenty of money by the way. There is nothing to be concerned about on that front. A very valid question from William Cook here. Do you trust the Jones Boys to make a good trade? I mean, I think they made a good one with Pickkins, but it’s fair. I I trust them to make a good trade when they’re not doing a trade out of an emotional reaction to something. I honestly I think the mingo trade last year was an emotional reaction to being banged up and not playing well and trying to make it seem like they were still a contender. That’s what I think the mingo trade was like. Oh, we got to do something to help us out here. You know, the Micah tren I think was a a reaction to the emotions between Micah and Jerry Jones. Um so I if if they’re just shopping and even bargain shopping, they mostly do okay there. I I don’t like the Kenneth Murray trade. It didn’t cost you that much. It’s fine. Um, but I think they’re at their best when teams call them. I just wish they’d be better when they called teams. Now, if you want to be a part of our Cowboys mailbags, hit that sub button so you never miss out. Free Cowboys videos each and every single day right here on the channel. YouTube.com/cowboys TV. Free videos every single day. Cowboy Rob 28. What should we expect from Savone Rebel this year? I don’t know. I I don’t have a great timeline for when he’s back. Clearly had a setback in training camp. Unfortunate. Now you’re not really worried about rushing him because he’s still just playing behind the eightball so much. I, you know, this is not a fair example, but like in years past, you would have I would say like you can’t trust Randy Gregory for anything. If he gives you something, great. But you have to treat him as a luxury, as an extra. For this year, I think that’s how you treat Savone Rebel. If he’s back, awesome. If he helps you, even better. If he’s not, if it’s a red shirt year, sucks, but so be it. From TKG, what week is the trade deadline, and who do you want if we do a trade again? I Who do I want? We will do full-on videos on that. We’ll keep an eye on what the the the market actually ends up looking like, etc. But I’m not going to overreact to it one way or the other. Uh the trade deadline this year is on November 4th. That’s actually the day after the Cowboys Cardinals Monday Night Football game. So, uh it is a slightly later trade deadline. That is the date to monitor. So, you’ve still got quite a bit of time. the super chat menu on today’s show. Any super chat is a shout out. $5 is a raffle entry. $10 gets you three raffle entries. 50 bucks for a shot. $100 for a beer bong. Thursday night football action. Who you got? E for the Eagles, G for the Gmen of New York. Let me know in the comments section of today’s show. You’re you’re taking the Giants. I appreciate you trying to speak it into existence. I got the Eagles and Eagles going to cover. I I told you maybe I told you or I told you after Dart’s first game. I did the whole show. I’m like, you know, I don’t want to anoint somebody after a game. He He hasn’t actually been that great yet. like he he he he he began the game great and then you know just kind of cooled off like he threw two picks against the Saints. He was 20 of 42 for 200 yards. Like he’s not he runs a lot, he’s athletic, but like he’s he’s missing throws that are there. like he’s missing I I I I keep when it comes to to the Giants and this will probably come back to bite me in the ass as it gets better and better and they upset the Cowboys or something stupid. I keep reminding myself of keep being reminded of Ron Rivera was just hyping the hell out of Sam How and like Sam How’s so good. Sam How is our guy and I’m like but he’s not. He’s throwing it a lot but he’s not actually playing well. Yeah. And that and Ron Rivera was doing that because that was the only way he could save his job is if Sam was the guy and they tried to frankly artificially prop him up. And I I just wonder if Brian Dable’s doing some of that with Jackson Dar because it’s the only way he saves his job. And maybe Joe Shane too is if Dart’s him. And the the mobility is great. Look, the man’s got six sacks in two games. That’s bad. He’s got two interceptions against three touchdowns. He’s averaging 5.2 yards per pass. He’s not actually playing very well. Like even even his his downfield stuff is not particularly good. Like I just I there’s a lot of stuff that I go hm I don’t I don’t know about Jackson Dart. With that said, I hope he wins. I I hope the Giants take down Philadelphia. I think that benefits you quite a bit. Um, I I think you would be much better off if the Giants take down Philadelphia because on the flip side of Philadelphia, this is this is really weird to me. Um, how often do we see somebody like Jackson like Philadelphia have all this success and it’s like kind of bad vibes in the locker room? How does that How do you win a Super Bowl and you’re five games in and your receivers are complaining about the ball? you just won a Super Bowl. Like, how does that even happen? It blows my mind. Um, and I’m I’m looking at a darts like passing chart here. It’s like he’s got a little bit more passing to the air, but it’s all like screens and outs and sideline shots, a couple stuff over the middle. Like, he’s just not I just I don’t I don’t see a lot of dynamic dynamic passing from him. Like, I just I I I think he I think he’s limited in the end. And I I just wonder if he’s really that guy or if he’s just like he’s good but he’s always going to be a bit, you know, held back for lack of a better phrase. That’s just that’s my concern there. Like like he was I’m looking at his passing chart from last week. Like on throws beyond 15 yards, he was two for one two three four five six seven eight nine. Two of nine beyond 15 yards. like it’s just it’s all like screens and stuff like it just it’s not I don’t know I just I I I don’t buy him yet all the way from Turner a $5 super chat. Appreciate that. Turner can’t root for New York. Can we have a worthless damn tie? I I can root for New York because I’m rooting I I’m not rooting for New York. I’m rooting against Philadelphia. That’s the way to look at it. And I I I I knew what you meant there, Turner. Uh that’s that’s my mindset. I’m I’m I’m not rooting for New York. I’m rooting against Philadelphia. And you know, other games this week that seem to matter uh that I will also shout out here are plentiful. Like I just we’re also rooting against the Packers every single week because we don’t want them to win games. So, who you got? Final call. E for the Eagles, G for the Giants. Let me know in the comments section of today’s show and we’ll get set up for the Cowboys Panthers final preview of the week. All right, the most comments on today’s show, as we do each week, will get a free raffle entry. You probably need at least 50 plus comments to get the free raffle entry. So, flood the comments section right now. Just spam D A L if you want the Cowboys or just C for the most comments on today’s show gets a raffle entry. Week six matchup. Cowboys on the road against Carolina. I’ve seen this line eb and flow. Three, three and a half. Can find a two and a half if you’re looking at the right spot by the way. But Cowboys are favored either way by about a field goal on the road over under 49 and a half. Was a lengthy injury report this week for the Cowboys. Let’s dive into it. Tyler Booker, CD Lamb, I think they’re a week away. You know, we’ll revisit this as we need to. I will make note, we are filming this on our Thursday live show. The full final injury report and designations will be in the comments section and the description of today’s show. By the way, Jack Samborn’s concussion seems unlikely. Cavonte Turpin in the foot unlikely as well. Donovan Wilson did return to practice on Thursday, giving him a chance. Dante Fowler practiced Wednesday, did not on Thursday, so we’ll have to monitor that one as well. These guys were all limited early in the week with with stuff. So, I’m not worried about them. Uh I have called my shot previous. I wonder if they’re going to injury stash a Johnny Cornelius since he got hurt with double knee injuries while not doing anything was really weird. Um, so I think those guys, all these guys, Bland, Clowney, Diggs, Gayton, Houston, Sanders, we’ll see about. Uh, that one is maybe the least like this of this B group. Tyler Smith, Wania Thomas, Marshon Neland, if I had to guess, I I think all those guys are going to be out there for the Cowboys. My Sanders is the one that maybe not so much. And Cornelius, if the O line is healthy, will be a scratch. Anyway, Panthers injury-wise, we’ll monitor Taylor Motton and and Chuba Hubard. Those are the ones that most stand out. It’s a new injury for Taylor Motton, but I think he’s got a chance to play still. Okay, see if I look dumb or smart on Sunday. Uh, Tuba Hoverbert’s calf. I think it’s going to be the Rico Dowel game for the Dallas Cowboys. Let’s talk matchups to watch. Number one, the motion from the Cowboys offense against the Panthers defense. I had a tough time finding stats against motion from Carolina’s defense, so I tried to use the new summer sports AI tool, but didn’t have it for me. This is per next stats on plays with motion over the last two games played by the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott is playing out of his mind right now. He’s uh completing 40 of 57 passes, 459 yards, 8.1 yards per attempt, six touchdowns, zero interceptions so far for Dak Prescott. He in just the last two games they’ve boosted the motion and they are cooking with it on that front. I have been extremely impressed with what uh Brian Shanimer is doing and calling from from that perspective. It is working in Dallas right now. it. I hope they continue to use that motion, get guys moving, get guys like Fenoi whenever Turpin’s back and it puts strain on a spine of the defense in Carolina that I don’t think is that good. What is your confidence level in beating the Panthers? Scale it for me from 1 to 10. One on the low end, 10 on the high end. It’s the pin comment on today’s show, so if that ad plays here, ignore it. Go vote. 1 to 10 is your scale. matchup to watch. Number two, it is the Cowboys third down defense against the third down offense for uh Carolina. The Cowboys, they were better against the Jets and they still have a historically bad third down defense. Opponents converting at a 54.9% clip against the Cowboys. That’s so bad. Carolina converting at a 39.4%. Again, this is like a league average third down offense. Look at the difference there. Like 15%. It’s absurd how bad this Cowboys third down defense is. They have to be better and they have to get off the field on third downs. Number three for me, and this was I I was really interested by this. The interior of this offensive line, a homecoming game of sorts for Brock Hoffman, by the way, against a very perceived stout Panthers interior defensive line. They went out and they signed Bobby Brown. Derrick Brown is a stud. Aan Robinson’s played pretty well. You’re playing one to two backups on the interior. Probably going to be Tyler Smith, Brock Hoffman, TJ Bass. Again, the Panthers run defense this year. A little bit worse than league average in yards per carry. They are actually, and this blew my mind cuz I I I would have I I literally went like, “Okay, let’s go look at outside runs. You’re going to run the ball to the outside against they got Derrick Brown and stuff, right?” No. Carolina is actually the worst team in the NFL when it comes to yards before contact this year on runs inside the tackle. I never would have guessed that. Here’s the overall inside run defense. The presumption of teams, understandably so, is they don’t run the ball up the middle. Carolina is facing the least amount of inside runs. They don’t want to challenge Bobby Brown and Aan Robinson, everybody else. They’re 19th in yards per game, dead last in yards per carry, just a one touchdown. They’ve allowed six explosive runs. They’re only 21st in stuff rate. Now, what does stand out here, and I will make note, the other nine numbers are per NextGen Stats NFL.com’s uh advanced sites. The success rate is from summer sports, so there is a possibility. It’s it’s not all the way accurate, but I think it does make some sense. They’re high in success rate. So, when you’re high in yards per carry, kind of high in 10 plus yard runs on a very small sample size, it means you’re allowing some big chunk plays, and that’s why they’re dead last in yards after contact. I think there is the possibility that you can bust some big runs up the middle against this Panthers defense. And Javvante Williams has been one of the NFL’s best running backs, a in general, but also on inside runs. 49 carries, 266 yards, 5.4 on average. His success rate is 49%. He’s been really good. So, I would not Everyone has been scared, understandably so, of Panthers inside runs. I might try it a few times. See, see see how it goes. Now, today’s show is made possible by ethos. 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That’s ethos.com/nflaily. Application times may vary, rates may vary. Links in the comments and the description of today’s show. Number four matchup to watch, Trayvon Diggs/Don Bland against the Panthers number one receiver. The guy that we and the Cowboys, to be clear, wanted to draft, Tedoa McMillan. McMillan only has 24 catches on the season. Maybe only is not the right right word for it. Got a pretty high target share. 351 yards. I think he’s done a lot of really good stuff for Carolina on film. the touchdowns are not there yet. Carolina should be a little bit healthy this week. Uh Xavier Legette is going to be back. Um I is back and they might get Jaylen Coker of Cokehead fame uh back for Carolina as well. I’m curious if they put Diggs I’d lean Digs on McMillan bland on somebody else, but maybe they just go sides. We’ll see. I’m very curious how the Cowboys try to cover up the Panthers best receiver in McMillan who does some of his best work over the middle where if the Cowboys are in zone, he will get to take advantage of the linebackers. I expect to see a lot of deep digs for McMillan. All right, next up is George Pickkins against JC Horn. And we mentioned it last week like how can you take advantage of non uh Sauce Gardener corners? Cowboys did a good job of that. They still got Pickkins going with a one touchdown catch. And I think they’ll try to get him a little bit more involved against what I assume is going to be JC Horn. I Mike Jackson, Cowboys legend uh against George Pickkins is not a matchup I think Carolina wants to employ that much. Pickins this year, five touchdowns already matching his previous single season high in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. JC Horn though is having himself a year. Uh 38.1% completion rate. that is he is when healthy he’s been really good 21 targets eight catches allowed per pro football reference this year he’d been good I still wonder if you can take advantage of him though just a little bit if Pickkins is good enough to to justify it now who scores the first touchdown for the Dallas Cowboys is it Pickkins is it Ferguson that was the answer last week by the way let me know in the comments section of today’s show all right player to watch number five Jake Ferguson We we nailed it last week. You know, we gave away the sign Jake Ferguson jersey and it worked wonders. He had two touchdowns in the game. He’s playing at a mostly great level. I think he’s a better been a better blocker this year. He’s not ever going to be a great blocker. Um just who he is. The one thing I want to see from Ferguson is make more guys miss tackles. Be even more dynamic. Bring me back the hurdle Fergie. Not the try to make a guy miss and fall down Fergie. Don’t become Zack Z. Be more D. be more like like Tucker Craft has been uh in over the course of his career with the Green Bay Packers. Ferguson have been the league leader in force miss tackles hasn’t been as good as that uh this year. I think against a Panthers linebacking core that I don’t think is that good. I think take advantage of guys like Christian Roseboom and and Trevon Wallace. I think Ferguson could have a nice day. Number four is Shamar James. My guess and it’s a guess you’re not going to have Jack Samborn due to concussion. So, Kenneth Murray will be your middle linebacker. And on passing downs, it will be Shamar James over Maurice Leaf out there in coverage. James had a bunch of tackles in coverage, which isn’t always a good thing. In fact, in general, I actually think coverage tackles is normally a bad thing because it means you’re normally getting beat in coverage. Specifically though, last week that was keep everything in front of you, let the clock bleed off, be super conservative. So, I wasn’t as upset about it. There are times though, look, I know we’re all mad at Sanour. He’s not been good this year. I do think there was a pretty stark difference against the Jets when Sanour went out of that game with with a concussion and how they fit the run against Bree Hall. I think your linebackers have to be better in that area. Now, we will be live for the Cowboys Panthers matchup. Our watch party will begin 11:15 a.m. Eastern time. Hit that sub button so you don’t miss out. Let’s go to number three. That is Ryan Fenoi, the wide receiver. I loved what I saw last week. I mean, how can you not? It was the Fenoy game. He might get a chance to do it again, you know. Are they That was not a name I think Jets fans knew of, which it would be kind of impressive if they did. Maybe they have no life or they’re deep, deep fantasy people. But Floyd was great for the year. 10 catches, 149 yards, and no touchdowns yet. I mean, they got him involved on jet sweeps. They’re like, he can just do the Kamonte Turpin stuff. fine. Like I I am excited to see what Ryan Fenoy is able to do in this matchup. Can he can he build on it? Can this be more of a Miles Austin breakout or is it just the one random Kevin Ogal tree game? And do you bring back Mingo this week for a revenge game? We shall see. Number two player to watch, Donovan Ezaraku. The numbers aren’t there yet for easy. I think it is coming. He was close several times last week to bringing down Justin Fields for his first sack of the campaign. My hot take in this one. This is the game that Ezaraku gets a sack that it that the the the damn burst so to speak and after showing some flashes even against the run two, Ezaraku has his first sack of the season. So, do you agree with me? Is this the week EZ gets his first sack? Why for yes, N for no? Let me know in the comments section of today’s show. Number one though is Dak Prescott. Of course, like it’s just it’s he has to play great. You’re you’re not going to win games with the way your defense has played unless your quarterback plays great. Good news, he’s played great this year. Uh Dak is off to one of his best starts to a season. He looks in complete control of this entire Cowboys team and the offense and everything is is operating well for Dak Prescott right now. So hopefully that continues against a inconsistent but shows flashes of being great Panthers defense. Who we got? C for the Cowboys, P for the Panthers. Let me know in the comments section of today’s show. C for the Cowboys, P for the Panthers. Get those votes in in the comments and at the pinned poll of today’s video. It is 96% right now voting in favor of the Cowboys, which sounds about right to what I would expect. So, get those votes in. C for the Cowboys, P for the Panthers. If you guys want to stay up todate on everything Dallas Cowboys, hit that sub button. youtube.com/cowboys TV. Free Cowboys videos each and every single day. [Music]

The Cowboys Report with host Tom Downey is live again as NFL Week 6 approaches! Here’s all the topics on today’s show:
– Cowboys trade rumors via Jerry Jones
– Dallas Cowboys trade targets
– Dak Prescott, Brian Schottenheimer and the Cowboys-play action usage
– Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers preview
– Cowboys Report mailbag
– Cowboys injury news

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LIKE today’s Dallas Cowboys YouTube video … or else

Jerry Jones has again expressed interest in the Cowboys making a trade before the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline. So on today’s show, Cowboys Report host Tom Downey looks at the top trade candidates on these NFL teams:
New York Jets (0-5)
Cleveland Browns (1-4)
Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
Miami Dolphins (1-4)
New Orleans Saints (1-4)
Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
Tennessee Titans (1-4)
New York Giants (1-4)

Dak Prescott play-action stats:
Dak Play Action Stats
Completions: 46 (1st)
Attempts: 53 (2nd)
COMP%: 86.8 (2nd)
CPOE: +18.3% (2nd)
Yards: 463 (3rd)
Touchdowns: 5 (T-1st)
INTs: 0 (T-1st)
YPA: 8.7 (8th)
Total EPA: +19.8 (4th)
EPA/Play: +0.32 (7th)

Today’s Cowboys Report audience questions:
– Who ya got? Type ‘C’ for the Cowboys and ‘P’ for the Panthers
– Will the Cowboys make a trade? Type ‘1’ for Yes, ‘0’ for No
– Grade Brian Schottenheimer as the Cowboys play-caller: A, B, C, D or F!

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Cowboys vs. Panthers where to watch | NFL Week 6
Spread: Cowboys -3.5
Total (O/U): 49.5
Time / Date: 1p ET | Sunday, October 12th, 2025
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: FOX

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Cowboys players to watch vs. the Panthers:
#5 Jake Ferguson (TE)
#4: Shemar James (LB)
#3: Ryan Flournoy (WR)
#2: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE)
#1: Dak Prescott (QB)

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Cowboys current offensive starters:
QB: Dak Prescott
RB: Javonte Williams
WR: CeeDee Lamb (Hurt)
WR: George Pickens
WR: KaVontae Turpin (Hurt)
TE: Jake Ferguson
LT: Tyler Guyton (Hurt)
LG: Tyler Smith (Hurt)
C: Cooper Beebe (Hurt)
RG: Tyler Booker (Hurt)
RT: Terence Steele

Dallas Cowboys rumors & news are covered on the Cowboys Report by Chat Sports throughout the 2025 NFL season. Subscribe today to stay in the loop: https://www.youtube.com/CowboysTV?sub_confirmation=1

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Watch these Cowboys YouTube videos for the latest Cowboys news & rumors:
– What Colin Cowherd Said About Dak Prescott Might SHOCK You – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsZBAG0bVv0
– MAJOR Cowboys Injury News: 15 Players On Injury Report Ft. CeeDee Lamb, Donovan Wilson & Tyler Smith – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRxJTF1k-h8
– Cowboys Pulled Off HIGHWAY ROBBERY And FIXED Their Running Game – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyfckIzNoN4

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