Tag: Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks

Cowboys finally get a chance to silence critics with upcoming schedule, will they?

The Cowboys have been criticized for not beating good teams, but their upcoming schedule gives them the chance to change that reputation. | From @ReidDHanson

The Cowboys, and many of their fans, came out of their first Philadelphia contest feeling pretty good about themselves. Despite the loss, Dallas appeared to be the better team that day. It took a handful of bad bounces and questionable calls to lose that game and they still fought back and had a chance to overcome it all in the end.

While the loss hardly constituted a moral victory, it was enough to show the cluster-fudge that happened in San Francisco a few weeks prior was well behind them, and that Dallas was a legit force to be reckoned with.

Still, the national media and many outside the fanbase only recognized the final result. The Cowboys had again lost to a good team and were continuing to live up to their reputation as a team that can only beat up bad teams.

Even though the Cowboys have roughly a 100-point advantage over Philadelphia in scoring margin amongst common opponents, they trail in wins. Fair or not, it’s the reality of the situation and something Dallas has to accept.

As things stand today, the Cowboys don’t play a team with a losing record again until Week 18 in Washington. And by then, Dallas may be resting players for the postseason.

Beating teams with a winning record is the only way to re-write the narrative and show the Cowboys really do belong on that top tier in the NFC. And it all starts with Seattle on Thursday.

The Seahawks, 6-5, may not be a juggernaut but they’re a winning team and in the playoff picture. Beating them is a step in the right direction.

After Seattle, the Cowboys host the Eagles for a much-anticipated revenge match. If Dallas has any hope of changing anyone’s perspective, they need to win this. Otherwise, the criticism will be relentless and frankly, deserved.

Arguably the scariest game left on the schedule is traveling to Buffalo to take on the Bills in mid-December. The Bills are fighting for their playoff lives and adverse weather isn’t just a possibility, it’s a likelihood.

Before ending in Washington, the Cowboys face 8-3 Miami and 8-3 Detroit. Both teams are forces of nature and will offer significant challenges to Dallas.

Current odds say the NFC East crown is likely out of their reach, so Dallas isn’t necessarily required to run the table down the stretch. But in order to reset any narratives and instill faith in their postseason viability, they need beat the Eagles and look strong throughout this upcoming stretch of games.

While daunting, it’s an opportunity they should embrace and something fans should welcome.

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Here’s how the Cowboys earn their second win vs. a plus-.500 team

The Cowboys can continue their hot streak at home if they accomplish some specific tasks against the Seahawks. | From @cdpiglet

The Dallas Cowboys have become a juggernaut at AT&T Stadium under head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Dak Prescott. This year, they have won their five home games by a combined score of 205 to 60, have never scored under 30 points, have three games scoring over 40, and have never allowed more than 17. Prescott hasn’t even attempted 20 fourth-quarter passes total in those five contests.

Dallas utilized the bye week well, switching the offensive game plan to feature pre-snap motion and shifts. They were at the bottom of the league before the bye week and have been in the middle of the pack since. They used shift or motion on a season-high 76% of their snaps versus the Washington Commanders.

Prescott has thrown for 312 yards per game in his last six outings while completing over 70% of his passes. He has 18 touchdown passes to only two interceptions and a passer rating of 122.6. He has now thrown 16 touchdowns on vertical routes, and 14 of those have been since Week 8. There isn’t a quarterback playing at that level besides him.

The Seattle Seahawks will be the first team since the 1-0 New York Jets in the Cowboys home opener to come in with an above-.500 record, at 6-5. This game will test Dallas’ home dominance more than any this season. The Cowboys will need to accomplish these specific tasks to keep the Seahawks from pulling off a significant upset at AT&T Stadium.

Gilmore vs Metcalf could be key matchup in Cowboys-Seahawks tilt

Of all the matchups between the Cowboys and Seahawks in Week 13, the most intriguing is when Stephon Gillmore and D.K. Metcalf line up. | From @ReidDHanson

The Week 13 battle between the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks features a number of storylins. Both teams are in second place within their respective divisions and both have hopes a late-season surge can lead to  division crowns.

The Cowboys’ offensive line has finally take shape. LT Tyron Smith is regaining a form not seen in years. He’s currently ranked No. 2 by PFF and could be in store for his first Pro Bowl season since 2021.

Opposite him at RT is Terence Steele, who up until recently has struggled to bounce back from a season-ending injury suffered last December. Steele has posted two strong games in a row and could be on an equally as impressive upswing.

Both men will be put to the test by Seattle’s Boye Mafe. Mafe, an EDGE who has played 275 snaps on the left and 177 snaps on the right, can rush from either side. When he sees a matchup that favors him, he’ll attack it. Expect him to test both OTs.

Another key battle to watch will be between the Cowboys’ safeties and Geno Smith. The Seahawks are loaded with downfield weapons and keeping their big plays down to a minimum will be of high priority. Seattle should expect more 2-high looks than normal from Dallas as the Cowboys try to keep things under wraps and caged in.

But the key matchup to watch on Thursday has to be between Stephon Gillmore and D.K. Metcalf. Dallas isn’t married to the idea of shadowing WRs with a specific CB in most games. In fact, they rarely do it this season and haven’t since Week 4, but matchups like this seem like the perfect opportunity.

Metcalf, 6-foot-3, 229-pounds, is an enormous task for anyone. But Gilmore’s long arms and veteran savvy make him the ideal candidate to limit his damage. If there was ever a reason to have him travel, this seems like the time.

Only a few weeks ago Dallas pushed Gillmore into A.J. Brown’s direction. Against Gillmore, Brown caught all four passes he was thrown, but he was kept to just 42 yards on the day. Gillmore was smart enough to reduce the damage and stay between his WR and the endzone. He will be asked to do the same against Metcalf, a player who has the speed to break off a long run from anywhere.

While Metcalf is fast and powerful, he doesn’t have the agility or move with the same suddenness as the other Seattle WRs. It makes Gillmore the ideal matchup for Metcalf and DaRon Bland best used elsewhere.

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Cowboys TE Peyton Hendershot’s status changed to questionable; decision looms for club

From @ToddBrock24f7: Hendershot is officially listed as questionable for Thursday’s game vs Seattle; the Cowboys must activate him soon or end his 2023 season.

After originally giving Peyton Hendershot no gameday designation for an NFC showdown at AT&T Stadium on Thursday, the Cowboys later changed the second-year tight end’s status to questionable.

Whether or not the 24-year-old is activated to the 53-man roster in time to face the Seahawks, a decision will need to be made soon on the remainder of his 2023 season.

Hendershot has been on injured reserve due to an ankle injury he suffered in practice on Sept. 29. After his 21-day activation window was opened on Nov. 15, the Indiana native reported that he felt “fresh” and was “eager to move around on the practice field again.”

But now the Cowboys are nearing the end of his practice window. If Hendershot is not moved back to the active roster- which will necessitate someone else losing their spot- the Cowboys will be forced to place him back on injured reserve, this time officially ending his season.

The 6-foot-4-inch Hendershot has just one catch on two targets for three yards thus far this season. He dropped a sure touchdown pass in Week 1 and was stuffed on a goal-line rush in Week 2.

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In his absence, fellow tight end Jake Ferguson has tallied the second-most receptions of all Cowboys players this season, for a third-best yardage total and four touchdowns, tied with Brandin Cooks and trailing only CeeDee Lamb.

Rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker has played over a third of the team’s offensive snaps; Sean McKeon has been on the field for nearly 100 snaps over the eight games that Hendershot has missed.

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Cowboys-Seahawks Final Injury Report: Parsons clean bill, RB Kenneth Walker doubtful

A look at the injury status for Thursday’s Cowboys-Seahawks matchup as the teams close practice and ready for the contest. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys appear to be at full strength for their Thursday matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. After missing the Week 12 game with a back issue, safety Jayron Kearse was not given a game designation after Wednesday’s work, indicating his imminent return to the starting lineup. Along with Kearse, all seven Cowboys avoiding even a questionable designation. That list includes linebacker Micah Parsons, who missed Tuesday’s practice due to illness.

Parsons was a full participant in Wednesday’s work. Meanwhile, the opposite sideline isn’t as lucky. The Seahawks had hoped to get star running back Kenneth Walker back in the lineup after leaving the team’s Week 11 loss with an oblique injury. That will likely not be the case as he didn’t participate this week and was listed as doubtful. For a full run down of both team’s ailments and designations, check out below.

Here’s how Dak Prescott, Cowboys efficiency is setting the NFL standard

Dak Prescott has the Cowboys third down offense in rarefied air here in 2023. | From @ReidDHanson

In the NFL, games are often won or lost on third downs. While early downs are typically the most productive, it’s those critical third downs that make the difference between a drive stalling or a drive extending.

Dak Prescott has always been among the best in the league in this aspect. Since joining the Cowboys in 2016, he’s top-10 in both third down EPA and success rate on third downs. But here in 2023, he’s taking his third down prowess to new levels, averaging a jaw-dropping 0.553 adjusted EPA/play. It’s a number that’s 0.25 more than the No. 2 QB this season, and an output better than any QB has achieved in the last six seasons.

This isn’t the season something like this was supposed to happen. On a micro level, the Cowboys offense was undergoing a change in leadership. With Kellen Moore out, Mike McCarthy was finally able make the offense in his image. Growing pains were expected, and throughout the first five weeks, growing pains were experienced.

On a macro level, the NFL is shifting back to a two-high safety league. The bend-but-don’t break virus has been spreading throughout, as the Legion of Boom model fades into the background. Passing numbers are down across the league, and with it, many efficiency stats as well.

Despite fate’s best efforts to limit big plays and force offenses to dink and dunk their way down the field, Prescott and the Cowboys attack have found a way to post gaudy numbers without being needlessly reckless downfield.

Prescott has been opportunistic in 2023 and he’s often choosing to be most opportunistic on third downs.

As a team, the Cowboys are second in the NFL in their third down conversion rate. Considering how slowly they started the season, that’s a very impressive position to be 12 games into the season.

Will the good times keep rolling?

There’s no reason to think they’ll stop. Even with the increasingly difficult schedule, Prescott has been operating at peak levels within McCarthy’s system. It’s not smoke and mirrors but an every-down efficiency that can adapt to a variety of defensive schemes.

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Cowboys’ DBs maximizing impact of dominant pass rush

Much of the secondary’s success is because of the pass rush but here’s why both parts working together makes Dallas their most optimal.

Defensive football is a synergistic dance between the many layers of a complete unit. While some players are transcendent and can impose their will on any given play, defense is generally regarded as a single-point failure situation where one weakness stands to undo the entire mission.

The Cowboys don’t have such obvious weaknesses. Their defensive plays in harmony with one another, offering high-end play at every layer and daring opponents to find a weakness to target.

The league thought they found a weakness in Dallas when Trevon Diggs was lost for season. Yet with DaRon Bland recently setting an NFL record in interceptions returned for touchdowns, the Cowboys inexplicably replaced one All-Pro with presumably another All-Pro.

The dominance of one layer allows the perfect opportunity for another layer to thrive. And as long as the Dallas offense does their part and puts points on the board, the defense is in position to do what they do best. Make plays.

Are people making too much of the Cowboys home/away splits in 2023?

Too much is made of the Cowboys’ home and away splits this season which is good news because their postseason will likely be on the road, from @ReidDHanson

The Cowboys have been virtually unstoppable at home. Not only are they a perfect 5-0 at AT&T Stadium in 2023, but they are averaging 41 points per game. Their homefield advantage even dates back to last season. Aside from their Week 1 loss to Tampa Bay, the Cowboys were perfect at home in 2022 as well.

On the road it’s a bit of a different story. The Cowboys are only 3-3 on the road in 2023 and their average offensive output of 24 points/game sits 17 points lower than their average scoring output at home. It’s a noticeable split between home and away and it’s brought them plenty of national attention as a result.

It’s understandable too since the Cowboys will very likely be playing most, if not all, of their postseason games on the road. Odds currently have Dallas as heavy favorites to finish as the fifth seed (77 percent chance). The need to get better on the road is something even I harped on when the Cowboys lost their first matchup with Philadelphia in Week 9.

But maybe it’s not as simple as home vs away?

Cowboys list Jayron Kearse, Rico Dowdle as limited in first Week 13 report

From @ToddBrock24f7: The Cowboys safety and running back are dealing with ankle and back issues respectively, while LB Tyrus Wheat and DE Dante Fowler sat out.

The Cowboys are currently in a strange wrinkle within the time/space continuum, thanks to a second straight Thursday game. That basically makes our Monday their Wednesday, meaning the first injury report of the week is already out ahead of Week 13’s primetime meeting with the Seahawks.

Veteran offensive linemen Zack Martin and Tyron Smith took their rest day to start the week, tight end Peyton Hendershot continued his rehab by participating in full, and safety Jayron Kearse explained that he would “200 percent” be ready to go come gametime, despite being limited in Monday’s practice.

Defensive tackle Mazi Smith appears to have worked through a shoulder ailment, running back Rico Dowdle was limited by an ankle, Dante Fowler took the day off due to illness, and linebacker Tyrus Wheat has entered concussion protocol.

Here’s a look at the full reports for both Dallas and Seattle ahead of Thursday night’s important NFC showdown.

Here’s why the Cowboys are a great fit for Shaq Leonard

The Cowboys have a few things going for them and as long as the money’s right, they should be a desirable landing spot for Shaq Leonard. | From @ReidDHanson

When Shaq Leonard was released by Indianapolis last week, the Cowboys were immediately linked as a potential suitor. But unlike most links to Dallas, this one had actual teeth. The Cowboys’ thinnest position on their roster is arguably their LB corps so a former All-Pro like Leonard just makes sense.

Playing primarily out of a nickel defense that utilizes extra safeties and rarely asks more than two off-ball LBs to take the field together, the Cowboys have their starters in place. Damone Clark, an ascending second-year LB out LSU, and Markquese Bell, a converted SAF, have been doing admirably at LB for Dallas.

The two players understand Dan Quinn’s system and are proving to be true three-down players for the Cowboys. But behind them the well looks dry.

A neck injury in Week 5 had already ended the season of Leighton Vander Esch, and before that, Dallas lost rookie LB DaMarvion Overshown to a preseason ACL tear. The player they hoped would have developed by now, Jabril Cox, never did, resulting in his preseason release. Even Devin Harper was lost when Cincinnati claimed him off waivers in late September.

Aside from Bell and Clark, the Cowboys only have Rashaan Evans playing the off-ball LB position at the moment.

On one hand, this could be seen as a bad thing, but on the other hand, it’s that glaringly obvious need at the LB position that’s Dallas’ biggest selling point.

The Cowboys need Leonard and that could work to their advantage. Players want to be where they’re needed. The Cowboys are extremely shallow at the position and can all but guarantee snaps to Leonard on Day 1.

The chances of Bell and Clark going injury-free from here on out is fairly slim. LB is a physical position, and at the very least, an extra LB could give them breathers in a regular rotation.

Leonard might not be likely to regain All-Pro form, but last seen, he’s still pretty darn good. He’s particularly effective in run support, which happens to be an area in which Dallas struggled. It should be no mystery as to why the Cowboys are interested in adding Leonard and why they scheduled a visit for Tuesday.

Recent reports indicate other teams may also be interested in the former Colt and Dallas will have to sell him on the idea of joining the Cowboys. While money is understandably a big factor in any free agent sales pitch, the attractiveness of the situation is also sure to play a role.

Besides money, the Cowboys have a few things separating them from the pack:

  1. An immediate need
  2. A long-term need
  3. Contender status
  4. A dominant defense around him

The immediate need is clear. Rotating Leonard in on obvious run situations is a way he could make an instant impact on the Cowboys.

Yet, unlike other teams who just need Leonard to hold down the fort while other players recover from injuries, Dallas needs him for the entire season. There are no reinforcements coming for the Cowboys which means Leonard can feel confident he won’t be benched a few weeks down the road.

The Cowboys are also quite clearly playing for something. They are one of the top teams in the NFC and on a clear path to the postseason. Leonard would be playing for something in Dallas.

The Cowboys also have an elite defense in place around him. Their defensive line and secondary are elite. Leonard wouldn’t be picking up the slack of others – he’d be playing with an All-Star cast and only have to focus on himself.

As long as the money is right, there are reasons to believe the Cowboys have the inside track on adding Leonard.

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