Each week, we collect to debate the newest information concerning the Dallas Cowboys and search our author’s perspective on every headline. Welcome again to the roundtable. This week we have now Sean Martin, Jess Haynie and Tom Ryle.
The Cowboys need to win out, the Eagles need to lose out for Dallas to make the playoffs. Will we see that occuring?
Mike: Brief reply right here is it’s alive, nevertheless it’s a parlay I’d by no means wager. Profitable out is difficult sufficient, asking the Eagles to concurrently lose out multiplies the improbability throughout each remaining week. Might it occur? Certain, soccer is noisy, accidents pop, and peculiar December video games swing on a bounce. Let’s additionally not overlook that the Eagles have failed at this stage of the season earlier than. However the lifelike stance is to deal with this as a one-week season. If Philly stumbles as soon as, nice. If not, Dallas’ focus switches to the draft, my favourite time of 12 months, together with Christmas.
Sean: Sadly, under no circumstances. Having fun with the Eagles slide was enjoyable whereas it lasted, however we will’t lose sight that the most effective factor that occurred throughout it was that the Cowboys have been additionally taking part in nicely. With out that component, there isn’t any enjoyment in rooting for a group to limp into the playoffs, and that’s precisely what Dallas can be doing if a miracle occurs in these final video games. I do assume the Cowboys will beat the Commanders and Giants to finish the common season on a win streak, however whether or not its two video games or three with how they’ve performed at residence is difficult to say going into the ultimate residence sport versus a sizzling Chargers aspect.
Jess: Their Buffalo sport appears like a loss, however Washington sweeping Philly with a division title on the road simply isn’t within the playing cards. And even when that miracle occurs, this Cowboys group might not even win their subsequent sport. It appears like segments of the group have checked out this season. I believe many people are able to do the identical.
Tom: TBH, I want they have been eradicated already. I’m bored with discovering a option to hope when my extra rational aspect has recognized for weeks if not months that this Dallas group is simply too flawed to be a contender. I’m not going to let myself get sacked again in once more.
After the collapse towards Minnesota, do you see Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator subsequent season, or does he get fired?
Mike: I’d lean towards a slender second probability, with guardrails, and I do know the readers shall be going mad over that sentiment. The collapse final week was about repeatable fixes with rush-lane integrity, tackling method, and explosive-play prevention. Midseason adjustments with Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams provides Eberflus instruments he didn’t have in September. If Eberflus returns, it ought to be with clear benchmarks and cleaner communication towards his plan. Miss these requirements early subsequent 12 months and Brian Schottenheimer ought to pivot, however meet them and also you’ve stabilized a unit that has potential.
The Cowboys have been churning by means of defensive coordinators the previous seven years, and getting one other subsequent season would make that six totally different coordinators in eight years, and that’s solely going to disrupt cohesion additional. I now disguise underneath my desk whereas the readers take photographs.
Sean: The bigger pattern dimension factors in direction of Eberflus not returning, in my view. This was a close to consensus opinion by means of the fanbase by means of the early-to-mid portion of the season, and now that feeling has returned after getting shredded by J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings. With no single win towards his former division, I simply don’t assume there’s sufficient Eberflus can level to in defending his job standing for subsequent season.
Jess: This group wants a defensive coordinator who will adapt to his gamers, and who has really proven a constant acumen for the job within the final 5 years. Eberflus appears to have been found out in most league circles. He isn’t adaptable sufficient, both to the expertise at his disposal or to what opponents are displaying. Unsuitable man for the job, in all probability for any group at this level.
Tom: Whereas the offense has some points, the protection has simply outright failed on a number of events. So many video games we needed to watch the opponents simply march down the sector within the fourth to get a win, whereas the protection radiated confusion. If Schottenheimer will get to make the decision he can’t hesitate. Frankly, I don’t assume it issues who decides as a result of Jerry needs to be disgusted, too.
What’s the most important enchancment you wish to see this week towards the L.A. Chargers?
Mike: The most important enchancment must be in consistency. Meaning successful early downs, ending drives within the pink zone with touchdowns as a substitute of subject targets, and taking part in protection with disciplined rush lanes so Justin Herbert doesn’t get free extensions that change into explosives. If Dallas can preserve their penalties down, get the ball out on time, and cease the chunk performs on the again finish, the Chargers sport is winnable.
Sean: Getting George Pickens concerned one way or the other, and never with an arbitrary bubble display. For so long as I can bear in mind protecting the Cowboys on this capability, this group can subject a primary offense with out getting the chemistry at WR right sufficient to make it imply something. There have been few widespread denominators, however no scarcity of expertise. The duo of Lamb and Pickens was too good in too many video games this season to not proceed attempting, however they’ve to indicate extra beginning on this Chargers matchup.
Jess: Overlook enhancements; it’s time to organize for 2026. Give Klayton Adams a crack at calling performs. Give extra reps to the likes of Brevyn Spann-Ford and Ryan Flournoy. Even in case you’re not going to fireplace Eberflus, give Aaron Whitecotton some alternatives to deal with extra accountability. And naturally, extra taking part in time for Joe Milton.
Tom: Precisely, Jess. It’s exhausting to throw within the towel this early, however as you additionally mentioned, which may be taking place already. As dangerous as issues are, it could be far worse for one of many stars to be critically injured in an ultimately meaningless sport. Time to make use of each minor ding attainable to sit down the vets and work the younger ‘uns.
Who scores first for Dallas?
If the Chargers sit in two-high, pound mild packing containers with Javonte, or keep on with Dak and the quick-game?
Sean: Too many empty yards within the passing sport proper now. Lean on the protection extra with the run.
Jess: Pound the rock and let your offensive line do what it’s really good at.
Tom: Depend me in for some floor and pound.
If Derwin James lurks as a robber, assault the perimeter or nonetheless hunt seams?
Sean: Profitable on the perimeter is a should to successful video games.
Jess: One in all their finest weapons is the RAC skill of all of their WRs. They should do extra with quick passes: slants, crossers, and so on. Whether or not it’s Lamb, Pickens, Flournoy, Turpin, give these guys area to work with and get the ball out of Dak’s arms fast.
Tom: Fast passes all day. Don’t have Dak holding the ball in any respect.
CeeDee Lamb receiving yards, over/underneath 89.5
Javonte Williams dashing yards, O/U 80.5
Cowboys third-down conversion fee, O/U 44%
Justin Herbert passing yards, O/U 280.5
