Locked On Cowboys Podcast

Episode: COMEBACK: Dallas Cowboys DEFY ODDS With EPIC 21-Point Comeback vs Philadelphia Eagles!
Hosts: Marcus Mosher, Landon McCool
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this electric episode, Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool break down the Dallas Cowboys’ jaw-dropping 24-21 comeback victory against the Philadelphia Eagles. Down 21-0 early, the Cowboys staged one of the most improbable turnarounds in franchise history. The hosts analyze the game’s key moments, the defensive resurgence, the dual-star performances at receiver, and how this win shapes the season’s playoff outlook—all with their signature mix of expertise and fan passion.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Stage: “The Most Improbable Win”

• [01:45-03:00] Marcus opens by describing how dire the game seemed after the Cowboys went down 21-0:

  "At one point, it was 21-0. And I was tweeting about draft stuff at that time. And yet they found a way to win." – Marcus Mosher [02:30]

• Landon details how, even when the comeback began, doubt lingered due to the team’s first-half performance and bad luck:

  "They played very poorly in the first half... but on top of that, the ball was bouncing the wrong way too." – Landon McCool [03:08]

• The hosts highlight the emotional swings and the sheer improbability of the Cowboys’ path back, especially as the key defensive turnovers occurred and the game tightened:

  "When they started to come back...the next thing that needed to happen in order for you to have a little bit of hope...it just kept happening." – Landon McCool [03:46]

2. The Anatomy of the Comeback

Cowboys Had No Lead Until Time Expired

• [04:57]

  "The Cowboys never had the lead in this game until there was no time left on the clock in the fourth quarter." – Marcus Mosher

• Marcus points out how the game never felt under control—even as the Cowboys clawed back, they were perpetually one play away:

  "Whether that was CeeDee Lamb dropping the ball in the end zone...or on defense, they couldn’t get that one turnover...But they did it." – Marcus Mosher [05:04]

Gritty, Not Pretty

• Both hosts emphasize the “gritty” nature of the win, as incompetence at key times was overshadowed by timely execution:

  "There were a lot of times in this game...they were not functional, they were not competent, they were making stupid penalties." – Marcus Mosher [07:15]

3. Offensive Line Stands Tall

• [08:26-09:44] Despite adversity, Dallas’ O-line gave Dak Prescott enough protection (only 1 sack on 36 pass attempts) and paved the way for 125 rushing yards at 4 YPC.
• Landon credits both pass protection and run blocking, but flags red zone rushing as a continuing concern, foreshadowing offseason analysis:

  "We need to have a whole conversation about the Cowboys' inability to consistently run the football in the red zone..." – Landon McCool [07:01]

4. Defensive Resurgence: “Best Game Since 2023”

Bottling Up Philly After 21-0

• [11:38-14:27]

  "From that point on, the Cowboys had eight straight drives on defense where they got a stop." – Marcus Mosher [12:03]

• Landon praises the defense’s ability to step up and keep the team in the game:

  "The Cowboys defense to be the difference...this is just a completely different unit. It's playing with a different tenor." – Landon McCool [13:17]

Shutting Down the Run, Forcing the Pass

• Saquon Barkley: 11 rushing yards after the Eagles led 21-0.

  "Their run defense is now one of their strengths—back-to-back weeks where they were really good at stopping the run." – Marcus Mosher [15:14]

Quinn and Williams’ Dominance

• Quinn and Williams (defensive tackle) dominated the Eagles’ interior line, posting 8 pressures (elite for a DT):

  "It just felt like as they were...the Cowboys defensive line was only getting better and stronger." – Landon McCool [17:34]

• Osa Odighizuwa’s (OSA) late sack was crucial.

Cohesion & Confidence

• Both point to multiple factors in the defensive turnaround: Williams’ impact, fresh blood from the injury list, and the growth in Eberflus’s scheme.

  "It’s a confluence of all of those things. The additions, including people coming off the injury list, all of it has just added up to the vibe being very different." – Landon McCool [19:55]

5. The Tale of Two Receivers: Pickens & Lamb

George Pickens: The Offensive Star

• 9 targets, 9 catches, 146 yards, 1 TD. Highlighted for both efficiency and explosive play—most notably the 43-yard catch to set up the game-winner:

  "Pickens had the exact opposite sort of effect where every single time the ball went to him… it felt like it was a big play." – Landon McCool [24:39]

  "Every time the Cowboys needed a big play, he was there to make it, including the final catch that set up a chip shot field goal." – Marcus Mosher [28:01]

• The trade for Pickens is lauded as a “home run,” especially in games where Lamb struggles.

CeeDee Lamb: A Difficult Night

• 11 targets, 4 catches, several key drops including an end zone miss at a crucial juncture.

  "Seven drops in two games against Philadelphia." – Marcus Mosher [24:36]

Having Both Pays Off

• Marcus:

  "In previous iterations of the Cowboys, if CeeDee Lamb had a bad game like this, no chance you win...But now that you have Pickens...the other one can go off and look like Randy Moss 2.0 and save your season." [25:51]

6. Playoff Implications and Big Picture

• With the Cowboys at 5-5-1 and other NFC contenders winning, the best path is still the division, hoping for a Philly collapse.
• Thanksgiving game against the Chiefs now carries real weight.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the rarity & magnitude:

  "There’s very few of these games in my lifetime where the Cowboys have had a massive deficit and they've been able to come back and win against a quality team." – Marcus Mosher [04:57]

• On defensive dominance:

  "That is a dominating defensive performance from basically the second quarter on." – Marcus Mosher [19:05]

• On Pickens’ breakout:

  "They've hit a home run on George Pickens." – Marcus Mosher [28:01]

• On team mentality:

  "When you prepare confidently and then the results show up for you, you start believing in yourself a lot more and you start playing that way all the time, and that helps your overall game." – Landon McCool [20:20]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:45 – Game story setup; 21-0 deficit, why this felt over
• 03:00-05:00 – Emotional swings during comeback, improbable events
• 06:11–07:23 – Offensive inconsistency, red zone issues
• 08:26–09:44 – Offensive line performance review
• 11:38–14:27 – Defensive performance & standout stats
• 15:19–16:35 – Run defense emerges as a strength
• 16:35–18:21 – Quinn and Williams’ impact, pass rush dominance
• 19:21–20:46 – Defensive improvement: new personnel, confidence, scheme fit
• 23:47–28:30 – Wide receiver breakdown: Pickens vs. Lamb, importance of having two high-level WRs
• 29:09 – Playoff race impact; looking ahead to Thanksgiving

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• The Cowboys’ comeback against the Eagles is described as perhaps the most improbable and satisfying win in recent franchise memory.
• Defensive improvement—anchored by additions like Quinn and Williams and promising young talent—has transformed the team’s identity post-bye.
• George Pickens’ emergence as an elite WR provides a much-needed safety net for games when CeeDee Lamb struggles.
• The win keeps Dallas very much alive in the playoff hunt, especially if Philadelphia begins to falter.
• The episode ends with optimism and anticipation for Thanksgiving’s pivotal matchup.

For more deep dives, analysis, and daily Cowboys news, tune in to the Locked On Cowboys Podcast with Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool.