Locked On Cowboys & Locked On Raiders: Are Young Dallas Cowboys Stars READY to Turn the Season Around In Bounce-Back Game vs. Raiders?

Date: November 13, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher (Locked On Cowboys), Q (Your Boy Q - Locked On Raiders)
Episode Focus:
A preview of the Monday Night Football matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders, with an emphasis on young stars, organizational dysfunctions, and what’s at stake in a season that hasn’t gone according to plan for either franchise.

Episode Overview

This crossover podcast episode brings together insights from Locked On Cowboys and Locked On Raiders, focusing on the underwhelming seasons both teams have endured, the evaluation of young talent in the midst of adversity, and key matchups for the upcoming Monday night game. The hosts discuss coaching upheavals, roster challenges, and the urgency for both franchises to identify building blocks for the future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of Both Franchises (02:03–04:50)

• Both teams are struggling and find themselves in evaluation mode going into Week 11.
• Raiders:
  • Now at 2-7, they’re "all about evaluation season" with an eye to see if their recent draft class (coordinated by GM John Spytek) has any foundational pieces.
  • Young players like Jack Bech and Dante Thornton Jr. must step up with injuries and departures thinning the roster.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "Now I think at this stage of the game, really the rest of the season, it's all about who's going to be what for this Raiders team now and in the future." – Q (03:36)
• Cowboys:
  • Also under a first-year head coach (Pete Carroll) and in the same evaluation trap, especially on defense, after a dismal first half of the year.
  • New defensive additions Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson are expected for their debuts to see if they can stabilize the unit.

2. Offensive and Defensive Lines: Youth and Vulnerability (04:50–06:27)

• The Raiders’ offensive line is a mix of inexperience and injury; rookie Caleb Rogers will likely make his first start against Quinnen Williams ("welcome to the NFL moment").
• The Cowboys’ defensive line is seen as an opportunity for Quinnen Williams to "make a huge impression" in his Dallas debut, especially facing an injury-ridden Raiders O-line.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "This is going to be really an interesting test... Hey, Caleb Rogers, welcome to the NFL. Here you go. This dude named Quinnen Williams across from you." – Q (05:37)

3. Quarterback and Offensive Coordinator Issues in Las Vegas (06:27–09:28)

• Geno Smith was brought in to "stabilize" QB but has struggled; questions loom about when to give snaps to Kenny Pickett or Aidan O’Connell if Smith continues to turn the ball over.
• Offensive disconnect: Chip Kelly’s play-calling is under scrutiny, particularly the sporadic usage of top talent like Brock Bowers.
• Organizational dissonance: Confusion over who made key hirings like Pete Carroll, Chip Kelly, and Geno Smith—a clear sign the Raiders front office and coaching staff lack cohesion.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "It doesn't seem like everyone is on the same page. And as you know, that's the biggest issue. If your team's not on the same page, it's not going to be successful." – Q (09:28)

4. Similar Dysfunction in Dallas (09:53–10:44)

• Dallas’ defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was reportedly not Brian Schottenheimer’s choice, echoing the lack of organizational unity seen in Las Vegas.
• The Cowboys’ disastrously performing defense has fans and media alike evaluating Eberflus’s fitness for the job.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "Now that the defense has performed so poorly in the first half of the year... it's really up to Eber Flutes to show that he can hold on to this job." – Marcus Mosher (10:31)

5. Key Matchups to Watch (14:08–18:43)

• Raiders O-Line vs. Cowboys D-Line:
  • The focus is on how rookie RG Caleb Rogers manages against disruptive force Quinnen Williams.
• Coaching Chess Match:
  • Schottenheimer (Cowboys) vs. Pete Carroll (Raiders) is a matchup with a personal edge, as Carroll previously fired Schottenheimer in Seattle. How will Schottenheimer reinvent the Cowboys’ offense post-bye?
• Wide Receivers vs. Young Corners:
  • Can Dallas’s CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens exploit a talented but inconsistent Raiders secondary?
    • "CD Lamb and George Pickens are really good one, two punch...in the National Football League in general." – Q (18:16)
• Brock Bowers’ Usage (19:45–21:26):
  • The Cowboys’ battered secondary creates a prime opportunity for Las Vegas to feature Bowers, but Chip Kelly has underused him.
    • "They didn't target him one time in the second half against Denver. That's unexcusable. That's non negotiable." – Q (20:43)
    • "As a Cowboy fan, you're going to be happy every time Geno Smith drops back and throws the football to anybody else but Brock Bowers." – Marcus Mosher (21:01)

6. Keys to Victory (23:56–29:22)

Raiders

• Stop Beating Themselves:
  • Penalties and unforced errors have been killers; "get out of their own way" is the mantra.
    • "The biggest key for the Raiders is not beating the Raiders...They can't keep shooting themselves in the foot." – Q (25:11)
• Special Teams Woes:
  • After firing their coordinator (“Atomic Man”), any spark from this oft-overlooked unit could be a game changer.
• Max Crosby Must Dominate:
  • With little help from other pass rushers, Crosby must “wreck the game” for Las Vegas to have a defensive impact.

Cowboys

• Start Fast, Play with a Lead:
  • Dallas struggles when trailing, so a quick start is crucial.
    • "It's all about the game script...when they get behind, things just start to feel rushed and panicked." – Marcus Mosher (25:29)
• Special Teams Advantage:
  • The Cowboys’ special teams unit is a strength, with Brandon Aubrey and Kevontae Turpin highlighted as difference-makers.
• Don’t Let Crosby Take Over:
  • Keep Max Crosby neutralized with help and chips; the defense feeds off his energy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Q on Raiders’ struggles and focus:
  "It's all about evaluation season...who fits, what doesn’t fit. Can they work out the kinks?" (02:18)
• Marcus Mosher on defensive evaluation:
  "Can this unit be better? They've been awful in the first half of the year." (03:41)
• Q on organizational dysfunction:
  "It doesn't seem like everyone is on the same page...that's the biggest issue." (09:28)
• Q on Brock Bowers’ underuse:
  "He should get targeted when he's not even in the game...That's unexcusable. That's non negotiable." (20:12, 20:43)
• Marcus Mosher on game script:
  "When they get behind, things just start to feel rushed and panicked and the defense can't get stops and the offense is now pressing." (25:29)
• Q on Raiders' need to be mistake-free:
  “First and foremost, for the Raiders to have any chance...they cannot make the mistakes. They can't keep shooting themselves in the foot.” (25:23)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• State of franchises & evaluation mode: 02:03–04:50
• Youth and offensive line concerns: 04:50–06:27
• Quarterback and OC turmoil for Raiders: 06:27–09:28
• Organizational discord in both teams: 09:28–10:44
• Key matchups breakdown: 14:08–21:26
• Keys to victory for Raiders & Cowboys: 23:56–29:22

Episode Tone and Takeaways

Both hosts keep it candid and light, mixing football analysis with inside jokes and shared memories, all while painting a realistic picture of disappointment and cautious optimism. The episode is a must-listen for fans wanting a pulse check on two storied franchises searching for answers, leadership, and glimmers of hope—both through their young players and overdue changes on the coaching staff.

Quick Summary Table

| Segment | Raiders | Cowboys | |------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Franchise focus | Young player evaluation | Defensive turnaround, youth evaluation | | Offensive line status | Inexperience, injuries, rookie RG | New talent on D-line, hope for Quinnen Williams’ impact | | Quarterback situation | Geno Smith, shaky, evaluation | Stability on O, wanting defensive improvement | | Coaching issues | Chip Kelly under scrutiny | Eberflus' future as DC in doubt | | Key skill players | Brock Bowers underused, need more | CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens vs. young corners | | Victory path | Minimize mistakes & penalties | Fast start, special teams, contain Max Crosby |

For fans of either franchise, this episode is a nuanced, honest discussion about the crossroads at which both teams find themselves—and the young stars who might help turn things around, starting Monday night.