Every week, we gather to discuss the latest news about the Dallas Cowboys and seek our writer’s perspective on each headline. Welcome back to the roundtable. This week we have David Howman, Tom Ryle, and Sean
Martin.
What grade would you give Dak Prescott against Washington, and what stood out most about his performance?
Mike: Dak played football with a surgeon’s calm and right now is showing how the league how to play the quarterback position. What popped most was his pre-snap command by using motion, clever cadence, and checks to keep Washington out of its comfort zone. He mixed quick-game layups with a couple of well-timed deep throws that were on the money and most importantly, he protected the football. Adding to his arm talent he also used good pocket awareness and movement to reset his angle without drifting into pressure. Dock him a half-grade for a few conservative decisions on second-and-long and one open shot he failed to notice, but this was a poised, efficient, award-winning quarterbacking display. Anyone giving less than an A-grade here is just playing to personal bias.
Howman: A+ as it has been for Dak Prescott all season. He looks so comfortable and in control, confident that he can hit any throw at any time. Nobody is playing better at the quarterback position right now.
Tom: It’s hard to disagree. I don’t think we have ever seen him play better. And now he has two dudes at wide receiver, a stud running back, and a tight end that is always converting a third down or scoring a touchdown. If we can see some continued improvement on defense, Prescott could keep them in a lot of games.
Sean: Prescott against the NFC East, particularly at home, has officially become that straight A student you worry about messing up the grading curve for the rest of the class. Once again he was in full command against the Commanders, delivered the deep ball with precision, played point guard better than anyone in the NFL is at the moment with his cast of weapons, and feasted on play action.
The changes that Matt Eberflus made to the defense had a positive effect, but is he out the doghouse yet or do you need to see more before feeling confident?
Mike: It’s not the best answer, but the best way to put it is Eberflus is trending up after last week’s game. His tweaks to the defense clearly showed up with cleaner rush-lane discipline, fewer freebies in the seams, and a better feel for when to rush the pocket. But one good outing doesn’t erase the major wobble we’ve seen with this Cowboys defense this season. Let’s see this defense stack the same level of execution for the next three to four games showing more wins on early downs, capping explosive plays in the secondary, and stopping those pesky third-and-mediums from converting for the opposition.
The encouraging part for Eberflus going forward is that the reinforcements are on the way. DeMarvion Overshown is working back, which adds range and versatility to a struggling linebacker corps, and Shavon Revel Jr. brings length and recovery speed at corner. If those two ease back in cleanly and the communication holds when opponents try to gain momentum, then we can talk about Eberflus being fully out of the doghouse.
Howman: He’s still got one foot in the doghouse right now. I’d like to see this kind of play last more than just one week. The next two opponents aren’t exactly offensive juggernauts, so it should be fairly reasonable to continue the solid play these next two weeks.
Tom: One game does not a trend make. We have to see how things go. But it was a nice step forward, albeit against a really depleted Commanders team. Eberflus still has to prove he deserves the job.
Sean: This is a tough one. On one hand, enjoying the Cowboys defensive breakout against the Commanders was sorely needed, and the win no doubt keeps all of their goals in front of them. It does that. On the other hand, it only makes the losses to the Bears and Panthers stand out more as ones that could come back to hurt in pursuit of those goals. That said, there’s plenty of runway for this team to continue playing to their personnel strengths, build on those strengths with the injured players on the way back, and continue playing strong enough defense to support this electric offense. That will get Eberflus out of the dog house.
What single adjustment on defense had the biggest effect last week? Formation, tempo, or execution?
Mike: The execution was on point. Rush-lane integrity kept Jayden Daniels from getting out and escaping, edges squeezed instead of flying by, and tackles played through double teams so the linebackers could get downhill on time. On the back end, the communication was much better. Safeties rotated without busts, corners passed off crossers, and tackling capped the YAC. It wasn’t all perfect, but the single biggest correction was doing the little things right on every snap, and that helped turn a collection of stops turn into turnover on downs, three-and-outs, and even some juicy turnovers. That’s execution.
Howman: People are talking about how much more Eberflus blitzed in this one, but it’s more than just that. He was mugging linebackers and crowding the line of scrimmage much more than he usually does. That helped Dallas get pressure even when they didn’t blitz.
Tom: I would say it was the press coverage. Again, it was against a bunch of backups, but they didn’t let the Washington quarterbacks burn them. Small steps, but you have to like it.
Sean: I’ll go with formation and execution. The first and foremost reason the Cowboys were good in man coverage is because their players are good in man coverage – that part really is that simple. The second part could have been that the amount of zone they’ve put on tape this season will actually help their man defense catch teams by surprise and be even more effective. How long that will last remains to be seen, but any edge they can get to even get a single stop or takeaway is big. The formation allowed them to do this multiple times against Washington, and the execution followed.
Against the Broncos, should the defense’s priority be squeezing Denver’s run game and loading the box, or defending the explosive plays by living in two-high?
Mike: Lean two-high as the default then earn your loaded boxes. Denver’s offense is most dangerous when it strings explosive plays off play-action, so start with split-safety to keep the top on the defense and force tough, frustrating slow drives for Denver. Use light boxes with late safety inserts in run defense, and disciplined squeezing on the edges, this keeps everything in front of the defense. Throw in some confusion for Bo Nix by disguising formations a little so he struggles to read the tells, just let him make the mistakes, not the other way round.
Howman: This is the type of game where I think Eberflus is best. Bo Nix isn’t really playing well right now – at least not consistently – but he’s always been capable of hitting deep shots when the defense cheats up. Live in the two-high and trigger downhill on the dink and dunk stuff that Sean Payton loves (to a fault).
Tom: Sounds good to me. Really, the Cowboys just need to slow down the Broncos’ offense and put the pressure on with the offensive attack. That is the formula for any real success this season.
Sean: I worry most about Denver’s ability to make big run-after-catch plays, and a little less about Bo Nix throwing it over their heads. If they allow both big yards after the catch and big yards on the ground, it will be a long afternoon. The Cowboys have to take away one of these things, so I’ll say prioritizing stopping the run. If it leads to a few shot plays deep, the Cowboys can match these plays with both Lamb and Pickens back together. They can’t let the Broncos dictate the pace of play with their own offense.
Rapid fire section
Better offensive gameplan for Dallas- quick game/fast tempo or patient and methodical?
Howman: Tempo kills most defenses when done right, and Dallas has the variety of weapons to succeed.
Tom: Tempo. If they build up a big lead, then they can slow it down and burn clock.
Sean: The Broncos pass rush has to be accounted for pre snap and they don’t make it easy. Patient and methodical, let Prescott be the maestro at the line of scrimmage.
Blitz Bo Nix or rush four and flood coverage?
Howman: Blitz early and flood coverage on third down.
Tom: I’m leaning to rush four. The pass rush may be coming to life.
Sean: Why not both? Keep mixing it up, it worked against Washington.
Dak Prescott passing yards, over/under 270.5
Howman: My gut tells me under, but just barely.
Tom: I’ll go with over, just because.
Sean: Under.
Javonte Williams rushing yards, over/under 82.5
Howman: Over. Revenge game here we come.
Tom: Not revenge so much as Williams seems to be hitting his stride makes me take the over.
Sean: Over thanks to another big explosive run at some point.
If Dallas jumps ahead early, lean on the run to close, or keep the foot on the gas?
Howman: Did you see the Giants game? Put that gas pedal to the floor.
Tom: If the run is working, they aren’t necessarily taking the foot off the pedal. Just keep getting down the field and putting points on the board.
Sean: Foot on the gas, win and lose with your best players. The Cowboys best players are “gas pedal” type offensive stars.
First explosive play for Dallas on offense. George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, Javonte Williams, or someone else?
Howman: Jalen Tolbert feels due.
Tom: I think CeeDee is in for another big game and will be the first big play.
Sean: Denver pays too much attention to Lamb on an early play and Pickens gets behind them, I’ll go with Pickens.
Dallas red-zone touchdowns, over/under 2.5
Howman: Over
Tom: Hopefully over.
Sean: Over.
Sacks allowed by Dallas, over/under 2
Howman: Under
Tom: I think 2 is likely to be right on the number.
Sean: I’ll go with Tom on the push.
