Category: News and Notes

News: Cowboys coaching candidates continue to emerge, Elliott says wins over stats

Cowboys Nation is still breaking down the Bears game and exploring possible coaching hires, while a franchise icon talks about being GM.

The long break between games has given Cowboys players extra time to get healthy, Cowboys fans additional time to dwell on the crushing defeat in Chicago, and the Cowboys rumor mill bonus time to swirl with possibilities and speculation.

Time to get caught up on who’s ready to play, who’s looking for wins over yards, and who’s looking like a problem when the tape comes on. There are names to mull over in the coaching carousel- including one that hasn’t gotten much publicity yet- and a familiar name who may have a GM job on his mind. Here’s the latest News and Notes.

Vander Esch not close to return; several others should vs. Rams :: Cowboys Wire

The Cowboys look to be nearing full strength coming off their mini-bye and heading into Week 15’s game. Wednesday’s injury report showed running back Tony Pollard, defensive tackle Antwaun Woods, and safety Jeff Heath all back at practice.

Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, though, did not practice due to his lingering neck issue. The second-year star is unlikely to play this weekend, and the coaching staff states it could be “a little time” before he is ready to return.

–TB

Individual milestones don’t mean much to Elliott :: The Mothership

The league’s defending rushing champ is having a down year by his standards. But that’s not what’s bothering Ezekiel Elliott these days. Despite topping 1,000 yards for the third time in four seasons as a pro, the number that Elliott cares about is the one in the team’s win column.

“Who cares if you rush for 2,000 and don’t even make the playoffs?” Elliott asked on Wednesday.

The two-time Pro Bowler is on track to see the second-lowest rushing attempt of his career, thanks in large part to the addition of a capable change-of-pace backup in Tony Pollard. But Elliott doesn’t mind the lightened workload so long as it helps the team.

“Whatever is in the game plan, whatever the team needs me to do to win, I’m going to go out there and do,” Elliott said. “They know I’m always ready to get as many touches as they need me to get.”

–TB

Film room: Inside Cowboys CB Chidobe Awuzie’s struggles, and how they affect the secondary’s future :: Dallas News

Chidobe Awuzie was supposed to be the future for the Cowboys at cornerback. Not only has the third-year Colorado product failed to live up to those lofty expectations, he seems to be regressing. His biggest issue? Inconsistency.

Awuzie is capable of being very good, but according to John Owning, his technique has failed him throughout the season, often leading to big plays the other way. To the casual observer, Awuzie’s issue is refusing to look for the ball when it’s in the air. The true problem, though, runs much deeper than that. He remains a player with untapped potential, but his drop in performance in 2019 may bring salary cap ramifications moving forward.

–TT

The Richard Report: Cowboys’ defensive effort shows ominous signs of surrender in Chicago :: The Athletic

If the Dallas defense seemed particularly bad at tackling during their Week 14 loss at Soldier Field, that’s because they were.

Want a sobering perspective on 19 missed tackles in one night? New England’s defense has missed 56 tackles all season long.

For fans who have the stomach to sit through the Chicago nightmare again, Bob Sturm brings the film study, including Xavier Woods and Jaylon Smith putting forth abysmal effort on perhaps the game’s biggest play.

–TB

Why did the Cowboys bother re-signing FB Jamize Olawale? :: Inside the Star

An awful miss while open on a crucial red zone pass play against Chicago in Week 14 is the strongest impression many fans have right now of Cowboys fullback Jamize Olawale. The third-down incompletion from Dak Prescott was just the second time the eight-year veteran had been targeted all season. He has logged zero rushing attempts and has been on the field for only 11% of Dallas’s offensive snaps in 2019.

Olawale “has some proven receiving and rushing talent from his days in Oakland,” points out Jess Haynie, “yet the Cowboys have been unwilling or unable to find a way to use him more on offense.” For all of that, the North Texas alum currently earns $1.8 million per season and is the fourth-highest-paid fullback in the league.

Fullback is a tricky position to quantify in today’s NFL, but on the surface, Olawale’s seems to be a textbook case of getting way too little bang for way too many bucks.

–TB

Cowboys legend Troy Aikman wants to be a GM, though doesn’t see it under Jerry Jones :: Cowboys Wire

The Hall of Fame quarterback has expressed interest in possibly returning to the league someday as a general manager. But the Cowboys icon doesn’t expect it to ever be with his former team… at least under its current ownership.

Speaking with Dallas radio station 1310 The Ticket, Aikman shot down the notion of taking a front office role under Jerry Jones, describing his ex-boss as “real stubborn and steadfast in that he’s the one in charge.”

With Jones as both owner and GM, the team famously has not advanced beyond the NFC divisional round since Aikman himself was taking the snaps in the 1995 postseason. Aikman is now the A-team color analyst for FOX Sports and in recent years has been a vocal critic of the longstanding power structure in Dallas.

“I think in a lot of ways,” the three-time Super Bowl winner continued, “until that changes, this team’s going to have some problems.”

–TB

Week 15 head coach replacement rankings: 35 potential names for Cowboys :: Cowboys Wire

While a Super Bowl appearance is still possible and would change everything for the Cowboys, a divorce in Dallas seems more likely than ever. K.D. Drummond plays matchmaker and swipes through 35 possible candidates to replace Jason Garrett if the Red Ball regime does, in fact, come to an end after this season.

From promising young up-and-comers (49ers special teams coach and assistant Richard Hightower) to former players climbing the ladder (Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich), and seasoned veterans (former Carolina/Denver/Chicago coach John Fox) to collegiate legends (national championship winner Bob Stoops), every option is explored and graded.

And yes, the list also includes a few current Cowboys employees, many of the usual suspects for any coaching vacancy, and He Who Shall Not Be Named (but whose name rhymes with Furban Squier).

–TB

Dan Mullen: If NFL calls, I’d probably consider it :: 247Sports

But wait, there’s more! Add another name to the list of potential candidates. Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen went on record this week as saying he would “probably consider” an opportunity presented to him by an NFL team. That quote made its way to The Rich Eisen Show courtesy of FOX reporter Bruce Feldman, who in turn was citing a report from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah; he had mentioned Dallas as a possible suitor for Mullen’s services should Cowboys owner Jerry Jones part ways with current coach Jason Garrett.

If Mullen’s name rings a bell with Cowboys Nation, it may be because he was instrumental in helping to develop a young Dak Prescott while roaming the sidelines at Mississippi State.

For what it’s worth, Mullen is also a protege of former Ohio State and Florida head coach Urban Meyer, the name most closely associated with any rumored coaching change in Dallas.

–TB

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News: Witten blocking Jarwin’s groove, Cowboys make roster moves

The Cowboys made a handful of roster moves, and will have armfuls to make in the offseason. There’s a depth chart move they need to make.

There are two trains of thought as the Dallas Cowboys head into the final three weeks of the 2019 season.  The first is that the Cowboys should blow everything up, lose out, and secure a top-15 pick in next year’s draft.  The other is to win 2/3 games with one of those victories against the Eagles in Week 16 and host a playoff game.  Arguments can be made for both because what is apparent is that the Cowboys have two completely different outcomes to their season, each on the opposite side of the spectrum.

The next three weeks will determine everything for the Cowboys.  In a season where the NFC East has been about as bad as it can be in recent years, both the Cowboys and the Eagles are scrapping towards the finish line with sub-.500 records and in doing so casts a wide range where the teams will pick in next year’s draft.  The Cowboys also did a bit of roster management, promoting Mitch Hyatt to the active roster while adding a track superstar to their practice squad.  In addition, teams were notified of the salary cap for 2020 and the Cowboys look to be in great shape, no matter how the 2019 season concludes.

Roster Churn: Cowboys add 4-time college track champ to WR group :: CowboysWire

The Cowboys have performed some late-season roster churning, adding Cyril Grayson to the practice squad.  Grayson has elite speed, running a 4.33 forty at LSU’s pro-day.  He still has yet to see any action this year having spent time with the Colts, Saints, Bears, and Texans’ practice squad.

–CM

Cedrick Wilson to IR, Cowboys promote UDFA OL to 53-man roster :: CowboysWire

The depth of the Cowboys’ wide receiver corps took a hit Tuesday as Cedrick Wilson was placed on injured reserve.  Wilson suffered a knee injury in Chicago.  Wilson’s roster spot was filled by promoting Mitch Hyatt to the 53-man roster.  Hyatt was a four-year starter for Clemson but has yet to see any regular-season action.

As we suggested in the article, it has been confirmed the move was made to protect him from another team trying to sign him to their 53-man roster.

The last time Dallas made a similar move was to protect TE Blake Jarwin from the Philadelphia Eagles.

–CM

Blake Jarwin’s potential success has been hindered by the return of Jason Witten :: Blogging The Boys

The Cowboys seem to have a tight end capable of making big plays, but he can’t get on the field because the club seems to prefer better blocking and veteran leadership out of the position. Is it wise?

The return of the veteran tight end has hindered Jarwin’s opportunity to get on the field. So far this season, Witten has played 76% of the Cowboys offensive snaps and caught 53 passes for 455 yards. This season, while playing just 37% of the team’s offensive snaps, Jarwin has caught 28 passes for 311 yards, an average of 11 yards per catch. Witten has a 5.6% drop rate while Jarwin has a 2.8% drop rate, Witten has a 2.6 YAC rate, Jarwin is at 4.4.

— KD

Six NFC East playoff scenarios for the Eagles and Cowboys :: The Athletic

Given the 6-7 record of the 2019 Dallas Cowboys, it’s tumultuous to even think they still lead the division and are on the verge of hosting a playoff game.  However, there is still a lot to determine over the next three weeks and The Athletic breaks down six different scenarios for the Cowboys that range from having them host a playoff game to potentially having a top-10 pick in next year’s draft.

–CM

NFL provides expected 2020 cap range, Cowboys could near $90M of space, 2 tags :: CowboysWire

NFL teams were made aware that the 2020 cap space would near approximately $197 million on Tuesday.  This provides the Cowboys with a ton of flexibility as they will have almost $90 million in cap space this offseason.  The team will need every penny as they sort out the long-term contracts for both Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper.

–CM

Cowboys playoff picture: Eagles’ win over Giants puts pressure on Dallas :: Dallas Morning News

The Eagles mounted a furious rally against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.  Zach Ertz caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime to secure the win and pull the Eagles to within a game of the Cowboys in the NFC East race.  All things considered, it’s looking more likely that the division will come down to the Week 16 contest between the teams.

–CM

2020 updated NFL draft order: Cowboys’ tale of 2 paths over final 3 weeks :: CowboysWire

The Cowboys will either host a playoff game this year and pick anywhere from pick No. 21-No.32 or they will not make it to January football and could potentially pick as high as No. 8 or No.9.  This is by virtue of their terrible 6-7 overall record as well as the terrible play of the Eagles.  One thing is for certain is that these next three weeks will determine the future for not only the current regime but future ones as well.

–CM

Notes: Aikman rips Cowboys front office, 3 Cowboys out vs. Bears

Jerry Jones has a cryptic comment about his coach, a HOFer has harsh words for his ex-boss, and the team’s new triplets close in on history.

A Thursday gameday has Cowboys Nation already looking at final injury reports for both Dallas and Chicago in advance of their primetime meeting on Lake Shore Drive. Three Cowboys have been ruled out, along with one familiar face in the Bears secondary.

Khalil Mack has good things to say about the Dallas offense, but Troy Aikman isn’t as gracious when it comes to the Cowboys front office. Owner Jerry Jones offers a cryptic comment about coach Jason Garrett’s future, and a noted football insider has a bone to pick regarding the current playoff seeding structure. All that plus the Cowboys’ new triplets close in on team history, and a closer look at some killer cleats for some exceptional causes. Here’s your News and Notes slate ahead of Week 14’s game.

Updates: 3 Cowboys ruled out vs. Bears :: The Mothership

The trio of Cowboys who were on the fence for Thursday’s game in Chicago will now officially be wearing street clothes on the Soldier Field sideline. Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is still dealing with a neck issue, defensive tackle Antwaun Woods has a knee problem, and safety Jeff Heath is working through a double shoulder ailment.

The ankle injury that kept running back Tony Pollard out of Tuesday’s practice is still a source of some concern; the rookie is listed as questionable for the Bears tilt.

Injury update: Amukamara doubtful with hamstring :: chicagobears.com

Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara had some memorable meetings with Dallas when he was a member of the Giants from 2011 to 2015. Thursday night was to be the former first-rounder’s first time facing the Cowboys since leaving New York. But that rematch may have to wait; Amukamara is listed as doubtful for Week 14’s showdown due to a hamstring injury sustained on Thanksgiving Day in Chicago’s game versus Detroit.

The Bears’ official website lists offensive tackle Bobby Massie, wide receiver Taylor Gabriel, tight end Ben Braunecker, and linebacker Danny Trevathan as out.

Khalil Mack says Dak Prescott will be huge challenge for Bears defense :: NBC Sports Chicago

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has had a stellar 2019 campaign, despite the team’s overall performance. The leader of Chicago’s defense thinks keeping him in check will be “a big challenge.”

Mack says of Prescott, “The guy knows how to put his team in a position to win games. He’s a hell of a ballplayer. He plays with a lot of heart, and you see it. You see it reflected in the film.”

But Mack and his defensive mates know they won’t be able to key solely on stopping the Dallas air attack. Of two-time rushing champ Ezekiel Elliott, Mack says, “He’s one of the most physical running backs in the league. It’s going to be a huge task. He’s a guy who runs the ball like he’s angry. It’s going to be our job to make sure he feels us.”

Aikman: Way organization is run is to ‘detriment of the Cowboys’ :: NBC DFW

Troy Aikman thinks his former quarterback understudy Jason Garrett has “the hardest job in football” as head coach of the Cowboys and says he’s “done a really nice job” in that capacity over the past decade. But the Hall of Famer admits that sometimes a change at the top is needed. If the team doesn’t go on a late run and find postseason success, that change could be coming soon to Dallas.

Aikman even had some harsh words for his former boss and went on to talk about the unique front office situation that a prospective new coach would be walking into.

“It’s not run, traditionally, the way most organizations are. I think that’s to the detriment of the Cowboys. I don’t think you can look at three playoff wins in the last 25 years and surmise that all of the problems over that time have been a result of coaching.”

Aikman goes into detail of how Jones meddles, and one can’t help but wonder how this will impact any coding search.

Jones waxes poetic on Jason Garrett with empty rhetoric yet again :: Cowboys Wire

The NFL’s annual head coaching carousel started turning a bit earlier than expected on Wednesday when Ron Rivera was shown the door in Carolina. Almost on cue, talk in sports radio circles turned to whether Rivera might be a fit in Dallas if Jason Garrett also gets his walking papers.

Even with a lackluster 6-6 record, Garrett’s team is- improbably- still favored to win the division title. Talk of a coaching change in Dallas might, then, seem premature. But it turns out the buzz had gotten a little louder just hours earlier, when owner Jerry Jones spoke with 105.3 The Fan that very morning.

The outspoken owner had plenty to say about Garrett’s aptitude and qualities. He talked about the high bar for NFL coaches in the chase to win Super Bowls. But he ended with the bombshell heard ’round the league: “In my opinion, Jason Garrett will be coaching in the NFL next year.”

Lots of room for interpretation there. Acres upon acres, in fact.

Cowboys’ new triplets close in on history :: @dannyphantom24 (Twitter)

Somewhat lost in the disappointment of a middling 6-6 record has been just how statistically good the Cowboys offense has been. Quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott, and wideout Amari Cooper are all putting up very good numbers. And while the individual totals might not be translating to as many wins as all involved would prefer, the trio of stars is on the cusp of doing something historic in the annals of Dallas football.

Big Facts: Cowboys haven’t lost TNF in 40 years :: The Mothership

Dallas has played on the Thursday night after Thanksgiving in each of the past three seasons. They won all three contests. They also appeared on Thursday Night Football in 2014 and 2007. Both were victories. In fact, the last time Dallas lost on a Thursday night? 1978.

Also explored in this compendium of trivia: Randall Cobb’s prowess this season against his former NFC North rivals, Jason Witten knocking on the door of the franchise’s touchdown reception record, and a look at the coldest games in team history.

Revised playoff seeding is long overdue :: ProFootballTalk

The winner of the NFC East- either Dallas or Philadelphia- will host a playoff game at their home stadium. Either San Francisco or Seattle will come in to that matchup with a much better regular season record, but as the runner-up in their division. That means they’ll be the visitors, with the lesser-performing team getting home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs. It’s happened before. And now that’s it’s happening again, it’s sparking discussion about whether that’s right.

As Mike Florio suggests, “Maybe the rule should be that the division winner has to have a winning record to host a wild-card game. Maybe the division winner should be required to generate a record of 10-6 or better. Whatever the formula, the current one is grossly unfair.”

Take note: If the existing seeding system benefits Jerry Jones and the Cowboys and helps them beat a seemingly-superior team and advance in postseason play, it just may be enough for another of the NFL owners to propose an official change during the league meetings in March.

Cowboys wearing their hearts on their cleats :: The Mothership

For the fourth year in a row, NFL players will showcase their personal causes in the My Cause My Cleats campaign. More than 900 players will wear custom-made cleats with artwork highlighting the charities and initiatives they support off the field.

From children’s hospitals and anti-bullying programs to cancer research and youth services, the Cowboys’ cleats will give attention to a long list of worthy causes when the players hit the field in their artsy footwear prior to Thursday night’s game in Chicago.

 

News: Cowboys ST terribad, horrawful, Cooper doesn’t want to leave Dallas

Dallas Cowboys news and notes for December 3

There’s no one inside the Dallas Cowboys organization that’s happy with how the 2019 season has played out. It’s been a year of miscues and misfires. It also isn’t too late to turn it around. Despite losing six of the last nine contests the end isn’t nigh for the Cowboys, although the team’ special team units are doing their best to bury a highly efficient offense.

There’s word of a fiery practice and a quarterback who’s done talking. There’s more contract talk surrounding wide receiver Amari Cooper and the playoff picture as it currently stands plus another look at just how poor the special teams has performed.

‘He’s going to start beating us’: Lesson from brothers fueling Cowboys QB Dak Prescott :: USA Today

Prescott isn’t shying away from the struggles in Dallas recently. He understands it and feeds off of it. He hates losing more than anything, stemming from a childhood of being the younger brother. In his own words, “Talk’s cheap. We’ve talked a lot and talked a bunch and gotten ourselves to right where we are.” Click through to read in detail what shaped Prescott’s mindset.

–TT

‘Angry’ Cowboys have ‘chippy’ practice Sunday; ‘No one’s happy, that’s for sure’ :: The Athletic

The Dallas Cowboys need an edge. Perhaps high expectations in the off-season led some to believe that getting to the playoffs was a guarantee. Whatever the reason, the Cowboys practice on Sunday was described by running back Ezekiel Elliott as “a little chippy.” Whatever it takes, honestly. This team is in control of their own destiny, and only a four game winning streak can avoid the worst NFC East divisional winner since the Washington Redskins in 2015.

–TT

Sando’s Pick Six: Can the Bills’ defense turn the tables on Lamar Jackson? :: The Athletic

If it’s not become clear to everyone following the Dallas Cowboys, it should have been long ago. This space has been harping on it relentlessly for weeks, but again for those in the back who may be new to the party: The Cowboys special teams unit is a train wreck. The Athletic’s Mike Sando broke it down like so:

Special teams comprise one big difference for these Cowboys vs. other Garrett-coached Dallas teams through 12 games. The 2019 special-teams units have cost Dallas about 30 points against expectation. That is the worst 12-game total for the Garrett-era Cowboys, by far. Only the Indianapolis Colts have been worse on special teams this season, at least by EPA.

It’s unlikely this gets fixed this season. The only hope going forward is avoiding a total meltdown that derails whatever’s left of the 2019 campaign.

–TT

2019 NFL playoff picture: AFC, NFC standings, seeds, scenarios and outlook in Week 13 :: ESPN

The goal at the beginning of every season is to win the division. Start there and worry about the playoffs as they come. The Cowboys are lucky enough to be in 2019 (and perhaps history’s) worst division. Dallas hasn’t been able to win a game against a team with a winning record, and yet, it might not ultimately matter. Two wins against divisional foes the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins is all it will take to make the playoffs. Of course, there’s other routes that are far more desirable. ESPN sums it up:

4. Dallas Cowboys (6-6)

The Cowboys owe a thank you to the Eagles, who gave up 37 points to the tanking Dolphins and lost on Sunday. In no other division would a 6-6 record put a team on track to host a playoff game. But that’s where the Cowboys find themselves, largely because the Eagles have lost three consecutive games. Dallas has yet to beat a team with a winning record this season (in five attempts) but could cruise into the playoffs by defeating the teams on its schedule that currently have losing records. But the Cowboys should be careful. The Eagles can overtake them by winning their remaining games, including a Week 16 game against the Cowboys. What a world.

–TT

Amari Cooper On Future: I Want To Be Here :: The Mothership

Amari Cooper isn’t going anywhere. The Cowboys don’t want him to leave and perhaps more importantly, Cooper doesn’t want to leave either. In a post practice locker room interview he had this simple message for those thinking he’s seeking greener pastures, “I want to be here. I just love this situation, my teammates. I just feel it’s the place for me.” What he brings to the table in Dallas is a bonafide No. 1 receiving option. He thrives with Dak Prescott and Prescott certainly thrives with him. Keeping those two together for as long as possible, especially after trading a first round pick is the only prudent move.

–TT

Mitchell Trubisky has regressed, but Bears defense has remained strong :: Cowboys Wire

A look into what has gone wrong with the Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in 2019. Perhaps opposing defenses caught on to the offense that head coach Matt Nagy is running out. Perhaps Trubisky was never any good and 2018 was a total mirage. Or perhaps it’s something else. Click through for the full details.

–TT

Garrett has Cowboys practicing outside to prep for Chicago cold :: Cowboys Wire

It is going to be cold in Chicago on Thursday night. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone given that it’s finally December, but the Cowboys were seemingly caught off guard by the elements in New England two weeks ago. Practicing outside doesn’t seem like a revelation by any stretch of the imagination, but in Dallas, it’s perhaps the most forward looking idea of the last month.

–TT

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News: Vander Esch ‘week-to-week’, Gallup ‘No.1 receiver’, Belichick calls Dak ‘super impressive’

Previewing Sunday’s showdown between Dak Prescott and Tom Brady, outsmarting Bill Belichick, and cashing in on Dak’s pregame dance moves.

So much to discuss as Sunday’s showdown draws ever nearer. The Cowboys look like they’ll be dealing with a surprise scratch in the middle of the defense, while there’s plenty of talk about the two quarterbacks this game will feature. Everyone is trying to predict what Patriots coach Bill Belichick will or won’t do, and what the Cowboys should or shouldn’t do in this one… all while one of the player units in Dallas suggests it’s all just business as usual.

All of that, plus an early look ahead at running back contracts and unrestricted free agents for 2020, breakdowns of both the Dallas offense and defense, and the perfect holiday gift for the Cowboys fan who’s still trying to learn “How to Dak.” That’s ahead in this edition of News and Notes.

Sources: Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch (neck) out vs. Patriots :: ESPN

Updating Thursday night’s big news, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is expected to miss Sunday’s matchup with New England.

“Vander Esch’s injury flared up in practice, which led to an MRI. He will have another MRI in three weeks, according to a source,” reports ESPN’s Todd Archer. Also citing sources, Archer says the second-year star is now considered “week-to-week.”

Longtime veteran Sean Lee will take over for Vander Esch as the team’s weakside linebacker. Joe Thomas is slated to move into Lee’s spot on the strong side, but he has missed two practices this week with an illness.

–TB

Brady vs. Prescott: A one-sided battle is on tap in Cowboys-Pats :: Cowboys Wire

Metrics nerds, get your popcorn ready. Travis Somers presents all kinds of graph goodness in this look at the two quarterbacks who will lead their teams against one another at Foxboro Stadium on Sunday.

Come for the visual eye candy of data plotted out on an X/Y grid and all the pretty colors; stay for the eye-opening conclusion about how the Cowboys’ young star actually compares to the most decorated passer in league history.

–TB

Belichick: Prescott is ‘Super Impressive’

Not much else to say here but watch the reverence  (second vid) the Patriots head coach has for the Cowboys QB ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

— KD

Tom Brady: I’ve disliked the Dallas Cowboys since birth :: Boston Herald

As a San Francisco kid who grew up during the 49ers’ dynasty of the 1980s and saw Dwight Clark make “The Catch” in person as a four-year-old, Tom Brady was perhaps genetically hardwired to hate America’s Team.

“I’ve really not liked the Cowboys since coming out of the womb,” the Patriots quarterback said this week.

“They’ve actually had a great, winning organization, and have got a lot of great players in their history,” Brady said. “Guys that I, just as a Niner fan, you know — you play the Cowboys and every time they’d hand it to Emmitt Smith, it’d be a 5-yard gain. And you’d pull your hair out.”

Brady is 4-0 in his playing career against Dallas.

–TB

Cowboys not changing mentality for defending champ Patriots :: The Mothership

For all the hype and hoopla surrounding Sunday’s showdown with the New England Patriots, the guys in the trenches say they’re approaching this week’s game like any other.

On the Miller Lite Cowboys Hour, offensive linemates Zack Martin and Travis Frederick dispelled any notion that they’re changing their mentality for Week 12 simply because they’ll be squaring off against the defending Super Bowl champions.

–TB

Examining what the Cowboys are up against in Bill Belichick’s singular coaching mind :: The Athletic

“Take away what they do best,” they say. Well, no one’s better at it than New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who has been making winning look easy for going on two decades. The Cowboys offense will present a unique challenge in Foxborough, but here’s a look at what has made things in New England so different for so long.

–TT

Should the Cowboys focus on blitzing Tom Brady? :: Blogging the Boys

The Patriots do just about everything well, but if there’s a weakness to be found, it may in Tom Brady’s performance when under duress.

Connor Livesay writes: “Heading into last week’s matchup against the Eagles, Tom Brady ranked 28th in yards per attempt (4.0), 27th in passer rating (47.9), a 4:3 TD:INT ratio, and is only completing 34% of his passes when under pressure.”

Harassing Brady will be of critical importance, but only if the Cowboys can do it without sending too many blitzers. That’s because one of Brady’s strengths is utilizing screen passes to backs James White, Rex Burkhead, and Sony Michel… and unfortunately, stopping the screen attack hasn’t been something the Dallas defense has excelled at in 2019.

–TB

Classic matchup: Dallas Cowboys’ ‘America’s Team’ vs. New England’s ‘We are all Patriots’ :: ESPN

A comparison between two of the best runs in NFL history, the Dallas team that garnered the “America’s Team” moniker and the Bill Belichick version of the New England Patriots. There’s a trip down memory lane, an NFL record that’s on the brink, and a look at the animosity that the two teams’ success has wrought over the years.

–TT

Amari Cooper confident in WR depth vs. Pats :: The Mothership

Given the Patriots knack for shutting down the thing that’s working best for their opponent, it’s fair to say that keeping wideout Amari Cooper in check will be a priority for the New England secondary. That unit “has been outstanding, ” team staff writer David Helman notes, “anchored by strong play from Stephon Gilmore and Jason McCourty, and nabbing 19 interceptions on the year.”

Cooper himself, though, thinks that strategy is a double-edged sword. “We have a lot of guys that can make plays, so if they try to take me away and just focus on me, I don’t think that’d be the wisest approach,” he said. “You saw what Gallup and Cobb did last week, going for over 100 yards. If they do try to take me away, we have other guys that can make plays.”

–TB

2 under-the-radar keys to Cowboys finding weakness in Belichick’s defense :: Cowboys Wire

Joey Ickes breaks down a favorite New England technique for negating an opponent’s primary receiver and offers a pair of strategies that Kellen Moore could use in response.

The entire article is worth the read, but one of those tactics has been screamed at the TV by every Cowboys fan out there at some point this season: let Dak Prescott use his running ability.

The second ploy involves a few names that the casual fan- and hopefully the Patriots- might not expect. And a former New England assistant confirms that this particular plan of attack hits one of Belichick’s personal bugaboos.

–TB

All the NFL running backs who could get paid in 2020, and why recent deals look like disasters :: ESPN

Ezekiel Elliott’s is among the running backs’ deals examined in this piece by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, and the results aren’t pretty. Elliott is very good, but he hasn’t recaptured that dynamic play that he flashed throughout his rookie season when he took the league by storm. This year, the new rookie in town, Tony Pollard, has made the Cowboys more efficient when he spells Elliott. Caveat: sample size.

Elliott isn’t holding the Cowboys back by any means, but they have actually been slightly more efficient on offense with backup Tony Pollard on the field than him. Elliott has been on the field far more frequently, but the offense has generated 0.21 points of additional expected points per play with Pollard on the field and 0.17 points with Elliott in the lineup.

–TT

Decoding Kellen Moore: Explosive passes become routine as Cowboys offense transforms before our eyes :: The Athletic

A team’s record has the capacity to make the general NFL fan either overestimate or underestimate a team on that fact alone. This is certainly the case with the Dallas Cowboys, whose offense is as good as any in the league. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and quarterback Dak Prescott have their half of the team rolling in terms of explosive plays and third down conversion. That and more in Bob Sturm’s weekly breakdown of the offense.

–TT

The Richard Report: Cowboys defense allows Detroit a worrisome number of big plays :: The Athletic

It takes two to tango, and in Week 11 the defense failed to hold up their end of the bargain. As explosive as the offense has been, the defense let a backup quarterback match them in that regard. That kind of performance is the exact opposite of the “bend but don’t break” approach that’ s been preached for years in Dallas.

–TT

Top 50 pending NFL unrestricted free agents for 2020 :: The Athletic

The Cowboys dominate this list of upcoming free agents with five players listed on it. Two of them, Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper, are guaranteed to continue their careers in Dallas, but the others on the list have futures that are up in the air, including one of the newest members of the team.

–TT

‘How to Dak’ shirts now available :: Cowboys Pro Shop

Nobody knows how to push their brand quite like Jerry Jones. First, it was the “Zeke Who?” shirts that poked fun at the owner’s perceived slight of Ezekiel Elliott during the star running back’s holdout. Then it was the fun the team had with the black cat who appeared during the Week 9 win over the Giants, even putting him on the stadium’s video screen during player intros the following week.

Now it’s Cowboys Nation’s ongoing love affair with quarterback Dak Prescott’s pregame warmup routine.

The 100% cotton tee is available in all sizes for both men and women, and features the above graphic on the back. On the front, the Cowboys star and Prescott’s jersey number appear above the left breast. The shirt sells for $24.99.

–TB

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News: Playoff race heats up, Cowboys beat up, Prescott keeps upping ante

Dallas Cowboys news and notes for November 18, 2019.

The Dallas Cowboys are readying to play the toughest game of the season, but the way quarterback Dak Prescott has been playing makes anything seem possible.

The passing attack has been all the rave this season in Dallas, and it’s reaching a fever pitch. Contributions are pouring in from all levels of the field and several different players that the offense is a unit that has only been stopped by itself. Despite the win, not everything is looking up in Dallas, in particular the defense that continues to struggle to hold up their end of the bargain.

At the end of the day, it’s just a game, and once in awhile there’s something to remind everyone of exactly that. In this case, it’s wide receiver Michael Gallup who performed at a high level with a heavy heart.

Making sense of the 2019 NFC playoff race: Eight good teams for six spots :: ESPN

As it stands, the Cowboys are atop the NFC East and, if that lead holds, a playoff spot. There’s little room for error due to earlier miscues leaving them with only one realistic route to meaningful January games. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell gave quarterback Dak Prescott some well-deserved kudos while breaking down the future prospects of the team.

Dallas Cowboys (6-4)

Chance to make the playoffs: 71%
If the season ended today: 4-seed, vs. Seahawks

There’s a four-quarterback MVP race right now by Total QBR. Four passers have posted a QBR between 77 and 79, and the signal-caller with the most volume of those four is Dak Prescott. It’s time to stop pretending that the Cowboys run their offense through Ezekiel Elliott or that Prescott needs his star running back to create throwing opportunities. This is Dak’s offense, and the Cowboys are a better team for it.

–TT

Gallup says departed brother helped on circus catch: ‘He was right there with me’ :: Cowboys Wire

On the one year anniversary of learning of his brother’s death, wide receiver Michael Gallup played beautifully on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. It’s impossible to abbreviate in this section everything that needs to be said about a situation that’s bigger than football. Click through to read more.

–TT

Anthony Brown’s season is over, Cowboys CB to have surgery :: Cowboys Wire

The 2019 season hasn’t been kind to Brown, who is set to become a free agent following the campaign. He’s already missed some time with a back injury, lost snaps to his replacement Jourdan Lewis and now will need to have arm surgery ending his season.

There’s some good news in this article, as the prognosis for La’el Collins knee injury from Sunday’s game is a bit more positive and hopeful.

— KD

3 things we learned from Cowboys-Lions, including how Dak Prescott put together another MVP performance :: DMN

John Owning checks in with his weekly film study of the Cowboys game and focuses on Prescott’s evolution with using multiple delivery angles, specifically on the screen pass touchdown thrown to Ezekiel Elliott.

At 6-foot-2, Prescott isn’t considered a short QB, but he certainly isn’t a towering one either as he doesn’t possess the height necessary to stand tall in the pocket and make throws regardless of the position of the defenders at the line of scrimmage. This means he must rely on his feet and arm angles to take advantage of throwing lanes and alleys that present themselves.

The fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Elliott was a great example:

Elliott will rightfully be lauded for making a tough catch here, but it was also an excellent example of Prescott fitting a pass around a defender thanks to an alteration of his arm angle.

— KD

The Morning After: Defense still lacks sharpness, but Cowboys’ offensive showcase demonstrates growth :: The Athletic

Dak Prescott is really, really good. On a day where some usual suspects went missing and the defense and special teams were lackluster at best, Prescott saved the day. The Cowboys offense continues to be at its best when the ball is in his hands and Bob Sturm notes here it seems as if the brain trust in Dallas has figured that out.

–TT

A Cowboys defense that still believes it can be great was left frustrated with its effort against the Lions :: Dallas Morning News

The Cowboys defense was supposed to be a weapon in 2019, but have been a liability more often than not. Against the Lions, they had the good fortune of playing against a backup quarterback, and made him look not only passable but downright dangerous at times.

–TT

Dak Prescott in rare air: ‘The best football I’ve ever seen him play’ :: Cowboys Wire

Every time Prescott accomplishes something at a high level the goal posts are moved and he has to do it again, only better. This year he’s been doing it with ease and in the last month, he’s caught fire. It’s not gone unnoticed by his teammates and coaches who recognize he’s the best he’s ever been.

–TT

Five observations from Cowboys’ win in Detroit: Run game still a problem, but Dak can carry Dallas :: The Athletic

Amari Cooper is the best receiver on the Cowboys roster. He’s one of the best in the league. But when he was ailing Sunday, his receiver room buddies Michael Gallup and Randall Cobb were more than capable of carrying the load. A struggling run game and defense round out the rest of the notes from Jon Machota.

–TT

Fantasy Playbook: The Lottery-Ticket Running Backs Worth Taking a Chance On :: The Ringer

Tony Pollard is getting some love in fantasy football circles and not just as a lottery ticket and contingency in the case of injury to Ezekiel Elliott. The rookie back shows his worth every time he gets playing time on the field.

Ezekiel Elliott and his $90-million contract remain the foundation of the Cowboys ground game, but Pollard (12 percent) showed in the team’s 35-27 win over the Lions that he is a dynamic runner who comes with the versatility to line up in the backfield or as a de facto receiver from the slot and outside. The rookie fourth-rounder finished the day with two carries for 12 yards while adding four receptions for 44 yards and a score through the air, netting 17.6 PPR points―all on just 12 snaps. Behind the Cowboys’ top-tier offensive line (which ranked third in adjusted line yards coming into the game), Pollard—who came into this week ranked first among qualifiers in yards after contact per carry this season—would come with every-week RB1 upside if Elliott went down.

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News: Final Week 11 injury report, Cooper gets top grade from CB Slay

Also, why Jason Garrett is more Marvin Lewis than Tom Landry, the latest on Dallas and Kaepernick, and is Jason Witten part of the problem?

The final injury report for Sunday’s Week 11 game is encouraging for Cowboys fans- both in who Dallas will have suiting up, and also in who they won’t have to face across the line in Detroit. But the Cowboys aren’t the only ones assessing their opponent; a Lions star grades his Dallas assignment tops in the league.

Also, a wily veteran offers his take on the team’s slow starts… but is he part of the problem that’s holding the offense back? A native Michigander comes home this week to play in front of friends and family, Dak Prescott has the numbers to disprove the doubters, the latest on the Cowboys’ interest (or lack thereof) in Colin Kaepernick, and a look at where Jason Garrett really ranks among long-tenured coaches. That’s on tap in this edition of News and Notes.

2 Cowboys questionable versus Lions :: The Mothership

The Cowboys are expected to be close to full strength heading into Sunday’s game in Detroit. Offensive tackle La’el Collins is listed as questionable with a knee and back issue. Safety Jeff Heath has the same designation with a shoulder ailment. Only guard Connor Williams is a confirmed scratch for Week 11; he missed the whole week or practice with a bad knee. All other names who appeared on the injury report over the past few days are cleared and expected to suit up, including Amari Cooper, Zack Martin, Tyron Smith, Sean Lee, and Michael Gallup.

The Lions are not so fortunate when it comes to team health. They will be without quarterback Matthew Stafford for the second week in a row as the veteran continues to nurse a back problem. Also listed as out are defensive end Da’Shawn Hand and tackle Rick Wagner. Safety Tracy Walker, defensive end Romeo Okwara, running back Ty Johnson, defensive tackle Damon Harrison Sr., and punter Sam Martin are all considered questionable for kickoff.

Detroit Lions’ Darius Slay readies for Cowboys’ Amari Cooper :: Detroit Free Press

Of all the wideouts in the NFL, Lions cornerback Darius Slay calls Cowboys wideout Amari Cooper tops at winning at the line of scrimmage.

“‘I might give nods to (Cooper as the best) just cause he’s a lot more explosive than all of them, just cause of the fact that he can run,’ Slay said Wednesday” as per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “‘He came out as a 4.3 guy (in the 40).'”

Slay, a two-time Pro Bowler, typically travels with the opponent’s No. 1 receiver, so expect to see him shadowing Cooper for much of the afternoon. As for other pass-catchers with a great get-off, Slay also mentioned Keenan Allen of the Chargers and the Packers’ Davante Adams.

“‘Keenan’s got quick instincts, but he’s a guy that can be quick off the line of scrimmage and quicker downfield, and he’s a little bit bigger than some of them,’ Slay said of Cooper. ‘Overall, they’re all kind of like the same, but he’s very, very, very great off the line of scrimmage, so got to have great patience with him.'”

Pivoting from earlier report, Cowboys not attending Kaepernick workout :: Cowboys Wire

Despite reports earlier in the week that suggested the Cowboys front office would be sending a team representative to Atlanta for quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s league-wide audition, owner Jerry Jones refuted the story on 105.3 The Fan on Friday.

“That’s not correct,” Jones said on-air. “We’re not going to have anybody there. We’ll basically… You know, those are taped, and we’ll look at the tape if we need information there. We really like where we are with our quarterback. We’ve got some very young quarterbacks, and that’s the way we think, to bring anything up behind Dak is to do it with young ones like we’re doing. So we won’t be there.”

Jason Witten thinks he might know reason behind Dallas Cowboys’ slow starts :: USA Today

If the Cowboys’ notoriously slow starts in games this season are maddening for fans to watch, it’s even worse for the players on the field. It’s well-covered territory in coaches’ interviews and press conferences, with everyone on staff trying to find a reason and zero in on a fix.

But tight end Jason Witten has a theory.

“‘Sometimes when you go through opener (drives), you’re using that to see how they’re going to play certain other things,’ Witten said,” according to USA Today’s Jori Epstein. “‘It may be, in the midst of that, sometimes if you have a three-and-out, yeah, it may have opened our eyes to what we can do in the next series down the road, what we want to get to. But it may have had a negative impact on that possession not scoring early in the game.'”

Dallas will look to come out of the blocks faster in Detroit and score a first-quarter touchdown for the first time since Week 3 versus Miami.

Lewis ‘playing for free’ this week in Detroit :: The Mothership

Dallas cornerback Jourdan Lewis gained a lot of new family and friends this week, it seems. The Motor City native has been bombarded with ticket requests for Sunday’s game when the Cowboys visit Ford Field in Detroit. So far, he’s bought 40.

“Yeah, 40… I’m playing for free this week,” Lewis joked. “And I had to scratch a few off the list. There’s definitely some people hitting me that I haven’t heard from in a while. After 40, you have to get your own.”

The Michigan alum says that despite playing at the Lions’ home stadium with various youth teams and high school squads while growing up, paying a visit to Ford Field as a pro is still “definitely a dream.”

Why does Cowboys’ Jerry Jones treat Garrett like Landry 2.0? :: 105.3 The Fan

Owner Jerry Jones has always been coach Jason Garrett’s biggest fan. The prevailing philosophy he espouses in interviews and sells to the fanbase is that Garrett’s smarts, his pedigree, and his patience and consistency will eventually bring home a Lombardi Trophy.

But as Ari Temkin points out, Garrett is one of just six coaches in league history to coach at least 145 games with the same team and not play for a conference title. The only one with a worse winning percentage than Garrett’s 56% is Marvin Lewis, who won 52% of his games leading the Bengals.

Interestingly, Tom Landry coached 152 games (the same number Garrett will reach with the season finale) before he finally took Dallas to a conference title game. But expecting Garrett to magically go on a Landry-like run at this point is the equivalent of hoping for Garrett to evolve overnight into something he’s never been. As Temkin writes, “Garrett is more Marvin Lewis than Tom Landry.”

Here’s an idea… the Dallas Cowboys should use Blake Jarwin more :: Blogging the Boys

Jason Witten’s return to the field as the Cowboys’ starting tight end was a feel-good story when it was announced, but some wondered if the team would trot out the future Hall of Famer at the expense of the younger tight ends already on the roster trying to gain valuable experience.

RJ Ochoa cites a stat from Inside Edge that says backup tight end Blake Jarwin has averaged 9.8 yards per target this season, the best mark of 42 qualified players at the position. Better than Kelce, better than Ertz, better than Hockenson, better than Kittle. And yes, better than Witten.

“Essentially, on average, when Dak is targeting Blake Jarwin, there’s a move of the chains on the line… Jarwin could be the future at tight end for the Cowboys; maybe that future is now.”

Prescott’s advancement echoed by top spot in several advanced stats :: Cowboys Wire

The Dak Doubters don’t want to talk about it, but the Cowboys quarterback is having a monster season, by almost any measure. He’s leading a passing attack that ranks highest in the league in: EPA per pass attempt, success rate per pass attempt, offensive DVOA, yards per pass attempt, and yards per play.

But the chart that should by all rights turn the non-believers around is Eli Cuellar’s highlighting of Prescott’s week-by-week effectiveness (using Expected Points Added per play) and how he’s compared to the league average quarterback play.

It’s an eye-popping visual and can be found at the link, but the punch line is this: on Prescott’s worst statistical week of the season, he basically matched the league’s average performance.

NFL coaches are finally getting more aggressive on fourth down :: FiveThirtyEight

The two-minute-drive playcalling that got the Cowboys coaching staff raked over the coals all week has also sparked a larger discussion about how NFL teams are approaching fourth downs in general.

While teams generally do not attempt to convert fourth downs as often as the stats say they should, 2019 has seen the highest go-for-it rate in at least 25 years. So far, though, offenses are converting those fourth-down tries at a below-average pace.

“As coaches like Garrett continue to learn which players to trust and when to trust them,” Ty Schalter writes, “they should continue to look at the numbers and realize how far they have to go before they’re actually making the best fourth-down calls they can.”

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News: Cowboys record betrays performance, breaking down the break down

News and notes for all things Dallas Cowboys on Nov 13, 2019.

The Dallas Cowboys are treading water more than halfway through the 2019 season. In today’s news and notes there’s a snapshot of the playoff picture, which as of now, has Dallas tenuously holding in a crowded and talented NFC field.

It shouldn’t have to be this hard. Especially in the modern NFL where offense is king. By any metric this version of the Cowboys offensive attack is as dangerous as any in the league. Unfortunately, while the offense is keeping them afloat there’s anchors doing their best to drag them under.

The Cowboys playoff hopes aren’t the only thing on the verge of being cancelled. That and more below.

Week 10 EPA Power Rankings: Cowboys knocked from top-offense perch :: Cowboys Wire

Another team with a young quarterback playing out of his mind has snatched the top spot in terms of offensive EPA. Still, the Cowboys are still held in high regard in this aspect, indicating that they’re better than the 5-4 record they’ve cobbled together so far. But at some point, as Bill Parcells liked to say, “You are what your record says you are.” All the analytics and underlying stats won’t be able to get a team into the playoffs.

–TT

Decoding Kellen Moore: How Cowboys stalled against Vikings despite Prescott’s finest performance :: The Athletic

The weekly must read breakdown from Bob Sturm. This week is a postmortem on the final three plays of the Cowboys’ penultimate drive. There’s no denying those plays are tough to look at but there’s palette cleansers in there too, with a review of what was likely the best performance of Dak Prescott’s career.

–TT

Michael Bennett on adjusting to Cowboys: After Patriots, learning any defense is easy :: USA Today

Bennett gives his thoughts on his time acclimating to the new way of life for him in Dallas as well as what the future holds past this season, which is murky. He also holds one of his defensive line mates in high regards, ranking him near the top with any player he’s ever taken the field with. That and more, including some background on the headline above.

–TT

Keith O’Quinn not endearing himself after ST blunder on frustrating night :: Cowboys Wire

The Dallas special teams unit is not good. The biggest culprit is the man who runs that aspect of the team, Keith O’Quinn. This had been largely swept under the rug for the last year and a half while the team had bigger fish to fry, but the fair catch gaffe from Sunday night is the spotlight to take a closer look into what O’Quinn’s unit is costing the Cowboys.

–TT

NFC Playoff Picture Week 11: Cowboys in danger of being cropped out :: Cowboys Wire

It’s times like these when a team has to be thankful for the division in which they play. No team is as grateful as the Dallas Cowboys who are getting lapped by the contenders in the NFC yet hold on to the No. 4 seed for the playoffs. If the Cowboys continue to find ways to lose games, however, that too will slip away.

–TT

Ellie Goulding threatens to cancel her Cowboys Thanksgiving halftime show over Salvation Army concerns :: Dallas Morning News

In a story that’s not at all about what usually happens on a football field, the traditional halftime show may be facing some changes in Dallas. Ellie Goulding, the singer tapped to perform, has found herself in hot water with fans after an Instagram post touting the Salvation Army. Whether or not the show will go on as planned is unknown.

–TT

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News: Cowboys wasting Dak Prescott’s greatness feels eerily familiar

Cowboys news and notes for November 12 2019.

Starting with Sunday night’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Dallas Cowboys entered what could potentially be the deciding four-game stretch of the season.  The team had an opportunity to start this stretch on a high note by defeating one of the stronger foes in the NFC.  Instead, they like so many times previously, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

The Cowboys have to start trusting their quarterback.  Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP caliber level and Jerry Jones knows he will command an MVP contract once the season is over.  Which is all the more reason to not waste the talent his rookie contract affords them.

Cowboys still America’s team

Death, taxes, and the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Since 2010, the Cowboys rank first in the number of SNF contests averaging 20 million-plus viewers with 30 such games.  Whether they win or lose, people are intrigued by what happens with the Cowboys.  Both the NFL and NBC know this which is why the Cowboys are generally booked for the maximum allotment of SNF games every season.  Jerry Jones wants the focus of the sports world on the Cowboys every season, and the numbers back that up.

–CM

Cowboys Wire’s wall-to-wall coverage

Here are links to all of our in-house coverage of the loss.

— KD

Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper blast team’s lack of execution in loss to Vikings, won’t blame coaches :: CBS Sports

Our good friend Patrik Walker checks in with a great look  at what the players were saying following the tough loss.

“Yeah, it’s frustrating — definitely frustrating,” Prescott said following the game. “We had a chance, an opportunity right there at the end. A quarterback can’t ask for more — the ball in your hands, fourth down, a chance to make a throw to win the game. They made a great play. They made more plays than we did when it counted and beat us situationally.”

— KD

The Cowboys Just Need to Trust Dak Prescott :: The Ringer

Prescott carved up the Minnesota Viking defense all night.  Two of his three receivers eclipsed 100 yards receiving, and when the game was on the line the Cowboys took the ball out of his hands and put it in their $90 million running back’s instead.  Ezekiel Elliott isn’t going to take this team anywhere this season, if the Cowboys want to play football late January it’s Prescott who is going to take them where they want to go.  It’s time they started to trust him.

–CM

Dak Prescott again leads NFL in QBR Rating after Week 10

— KD

The Cowboys are wasting Dak Prescott :: The Draft Network

Prescott is proving his doubters wrong by his play so far this season and his nearly 400-yard performance against the Vikings cemented his status.

–CM

The Cowboys failed to get a statement win in a critical game vs. the Vikings, and that’s on Jason Garrett :: Dallas Morning News

A victory over the Vikings would have sent a statement to the rest of the NFL that Cowboys are for real.  Unfortunately, they stuck to an ultra-conservative philosophy of running the ball straight into the opponent, no matter the result.

–CM

Film room: 3 takeaways from Cowboys’ loss to Vikings, including an outstanding Dak Prescott performance gone to waste :: Dallas Morning News

John Owning gives his three takeaways from Sunday night’s loss.  While he also focuses on Prescott’s greatness and taking the game out of his hands, he has other areas to take to task.

Missed tackles, poor LB pursuit ruin Cowboys’ run defense

The Vikings may have finished with 36 carries for 153 rushing yards (4.3 yards per carry) and a score, but it was the 10 straight runs for 61 yards and touchdown on Minnesota’s lone touchdown drive that really broke the back of the Cowboys’ defense.

It was yet another instance of Dallas’ poor run defense setting the stage for disappointment, harking back to losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Rams from last season. The Cowboys struggled mightily at bringing down Vikings running backs on first contact. In fact, 77 of Cook’s 97 rushing yards came after contact, illustrating Dallas’ tackling issues.

— KD

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