3 things we learned from Cowboys’ schedule gauntlet as team prepares for final 4 games

DETROIT — Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer celebrated his first day after a gauntlet of a schedule — which included four games in 18 days — by watching game film of the low point in that stretch. He said he replayed the game three times Friday in the wake of the Cowboys’ 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Schottenheimer was so busy Friday that he didn’t even have the chance to talk to wide receiver George Pickens as of Friday afternoon about an Instagram post that Pickens had blasting former NFL cornerback and current analyst Richard Sherman, who criticized the receiver for his effort Thursday. That post has since been deleted.

In theory — and probably not in actuality, knowing NFL coaches — Schottenheimer could have the chance to breathe and prepare for the team’s final four-game stretch. He indicated last week that the team would have the chance to do self-scouting about how they traversed the schedule gauntlet, which left them clinging to a small chance — about 9%, according to The Athletic’s playoff projection — at making the postseason.

There are a lot of areas the Cowboys could self-scout after the Lions’ loss. Here are three that stick out, based on the data.

Cowboys

A new draft need developed?

Externally, there was a lot of intrigue about what second-year offensive tackle Nate Thomas could do if he had the chance to start on the Cowboys’ offensive line. Thursday night’s game against the Lions wasn’t a shining example. Thomas allowed a team-high eight pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

Right tackle Terence Steele wasn’t far behind, finishing the game with six pressures allowed. The other three starting offensive linemen allowed five combined pressures, according to PFF.

Quarterback Dak Prescott was under siege all night. He was hit 11 times and sacked five times, including three times by former Cowboys training camp invitee Al-Quadin Muhammad.

The Cowboys, of course, were without former first-round pick Tyler Guyton for the second full game in a row. And while Guyton could return this week — team owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) it was a likely possibility — the performance on Thursday does highlight a potential need at tackle moving forward.

Jones said it himself on The Fan on Friday: Finding tackles isn’t easy. That’s why they invested a first-round pick in Guyton and it’s why they gave Steele a big extension in 2023. It’s why they could invest another early-round pick on an offensive linemen in the 2026 draft, especially considering that they have two first-round picks.

The tackle position hasn’t been a strength this season. Thursday showed there are questions about the depth, too. That would imply the need to invest more resources there.

Status quo

Jones started hyping the trade for linebacker Logan Wilson nearly a full day before it became official. In doing so, he sparked intrigue in a potential game-changing addition, much like the second trade he made before the deadline — acquiring Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets — has proven to be.

Wilson’s impact has been limited, however, in part because his usage has been limited. Wilson entered Thursday’s game averaging just over 29 snaps per game. He finished with 26 against the Lions. Schottenheimer has preached the importance of competition between Wilson and starting linebacker Kenneth Murray. He said that the snap count distribution between those two will likely remain the same.

But should it?

Murray has been lauded by coaches for his leadership, which is something that comes with being a green-dot player on defense. His play has been scrutinized, however. PFF’s grades are subjective and not without scrutiny of their own, but for perspective: Murray was rated as the 81st-best linebacker in the NFL after Thursday out of 84 players.

“It’s a good comparison,” Schottenheimer said of the snap count distribution between Murray and Wilson. “I think both players have attributes that we really like. The run and hit ability of [Murray], the physicality he plays with, definitely jumps off the film, and I think Logan has done an incredible job coming in here and learning the system. His ability to dissect things is incredible. Right now I think we’re getting positive play from both guys, and that’s why you see the numbers where they are.”

The Lions averaged 7.2 yards per play. Murray and Wilson had five combined tackles on Thursday. No matter who’s playing, they’ll need better production from their mike linebacker.

Off the ground

One of Schottenheimer’s favorite things about tight end Jake Ferguson is his commitment to fighting for every yard. This season, it’s also become a vulnerability,

Ferguson didn’t have a fumble in his first two seasons in the NFL. The last two years he’s combined for seven, including a fumble he lost while fighting for extra yards on a third down he likely wouldn’t convert based on how much distance he had remaining when he was first corralled. The fumble set up a Lions touchdown before halftime.

Schottenheimer said Ferguson’s fumble in that case came down to a simple fundamental thing. Ferguson can continue to fight for extra yards, but Schottenheimer said he should do it with the ball in his outside arm. The ball was in his inside arm when Lions linebacker Jack Campbell forced the fumble.

Ferguson’s fumble wasn’t the only turnover Thursday. The Cowboys finished minus-three in turnover ratio, pushing their season-long ratio to minus-eight. Schottenheimer said before the week that turnovers would decide the game against the Lions. They certainly played a huge part.

Schottenheimer said they talked about the turnovers and improving those Friday in the wake of their sixth loss of the season. If they want to prevent a seventh loss — a must if they want to contend for the postseason — then they have to improve.

Twitter/X: @JoeJHoyt

Letters to the Editor — Three Cheers for newspapers, air travel articles, Charlotte Jones

Reader remember a tour of the DMN; appreciated articles about air travel over the holidays; and praise Charlotte Jones for supporting Bad Bunny to sing at the Super Bowl.

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