Locked On Cowboys Podcast Summary

Episode: Cowboys Face Cardinals WITHOUT Kyler Murray | BIG Advantage For Dallas?

Hosts: Marcus Mosher, Landon McCool
Date: November 3, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool provide a comprehensive preview of the Week 9 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals. The primary focus centers on how the Cowboys gain a significant advantage facing the Cardinals without their star quarterback Kyler Murray, who will be replaced by Jacoby Brissette. The hosts analyze how Murray's absence affects both teams' strategies and dive deep into key matchups, offensive approaches, and how Dallas should attack both sides of the ball to secure a much-needed win at home.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kyler Murray Out, Jacoby Brissette In: Impact on the Matchup

• Why Brissette Starts: Marcus reveals that while Kyler was expected to play as late as Thursday, head coach Jonathan Gannon named Jacoby Brissette the starter, surprising many (01:17).
• How Much Does It Matter?
  • Landon: "Oh yeah, it matters. It has an effect for sure. I mean, it certainly changes the way that you expect them to play on offense...it matters in the fact that how the Cardinals will be attacking this Cowboys defense will be different than if you had Kyler Murray in there." (02:42)
  • Both agree it alters Arizona’s offense, but not necessarily the Cowboys’ level of concern given their defensive prowess.
• Vegas Perspective:
  • Marcus notes that the point total didn’t move after Brissette was announced, suggesting the betting markets aren’t heavily impacted by Brissette over Murray (03:42).

2. Defending the Cardinals Offense without Kyler Murray

• What Changes with Brissette:
  • Brissette is a more stationary pocket passer, simplifying pre-snap reads for Dallas and reducing the threat of explosive quarterback runs (04:25).
  • "You don't have to worry about Brissette taking off as much as Murray...he certainly isn't the threat with his legs the way that you worry about Kyler Murray." – Landon (04:46)
• Stopping Trey McBride (TE):
  • Marcus flags Arizona’s tight end as the top third-down weapon, especially with Dallas battling safety injuries (05:40).
  • Landon highlights the challenge: "Trying to do so with what the Cowboys have been rolling out at safety is going to present a difficult task." (06:09)
  • Potential adjustments: Cowboys could use corners or hybrid defenders (e.g., Marquise Bell), possibly mixing coverages to contain McBride.
• Other Receiving Threats:
  • Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, and Zay Jones could capitalize if attention is solely on McBride.
• Blitzing Brissette?
  • Marcus suggests a more aggressive approach since Brissette isn’t a run threat: "Do you want to see them blitz more in this game?" (07:57)
  • Landon advises moderation: "You definitely will fold it in a little bit more. You certainly don't want to do it exclusively..." (08:14)

3. Defensive Philosophy: Aggression Over Conservatism

• Marcus’s Philosophy:
  • "I would rather lose being aggressive than being passive and letting Arizona kind of control the tempo of this game. Try to get turnovers, try to get sacks…" (08:59)
• Landon Agrees:
  • Cowboys can afford man coverage and blitzes: "Play a heavy amount of man coverage this week and come after the quarterback a little bit..." (09:52)
• Key to Success:
  • Get Arizona into third downs—if not, Dallas could struggle just as Denver did last week (10:41).

4. Cowboys Offense vs. Arizona Defense

• On the Offense’s Health and Preparation:
  • Healthiest the offense has been in weeks, with eight days to prep (08:59).
• Challenges Posed by Jonathan Gannon’s Scheme:
  • Landon points out former Cowboys coach Clayton Adams’ familiarity with Gannon, which could influence the matchup (13:47).
  • Arizona’s ‘quarters’ heavy zone coverage: masquerades as man, keeps eyes on the QB, and challenges standard passing concepts (14:42).
• Exploiting the Quarters Defense:
  • Marcus asks if you can attack quarters deep; Landon confirms especially with ‘Mills’ route concepts (14:40).
  • "Cowboys got to find a way...especially...to be efficient, especially on early downs..." – Landon (15:48)
• Run Game is Key:
  • Success on early downs will make things easier against a tricky Cardinals defense.
  • "If you can run the ball...you're going to be able to move the ball up and down the field. That's what Indianapolis did against them. It's what Green Bay did in the second half." – Marcus (15:48)
• Expect a Cat-and-Mouse Game:
  • Anticipate Arizona using run blitzes to counter Dallas’s ground game (15:48).
• Dak’s Track Record Against Gannon:
  • Prescott has a mixed history against this scheme; more offensive motion and varied run game (added by Adams and Schottenheimer) could help (16:52).

5. Passing Strategy & Playmakers

• Get the Ball Out Quickly:
  • Marcus hopes for more short, quick-hitting passes to create manageable second and third downs (17:38).
  • Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, and even backs/fulls like Hunter Luepke could be keys in the short game.
• CD Lamb’s Health is Critical:
  • Marcus: "He needs to have one of those vintage, you know, eight catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns." (19:01)
  • Landon: "On the inside, they don’t have anyone who can keep up...with CD Lamb if he’s healthy. So...you're going to see fireworks on this offense." (19:31)

6. Predictions & Stakes

• Cowboys Need the Win for Playoff Hopes:
  • Multiple mentions that a loss likely ends realistic postseason chances.
  • Marcus: "This is kind of their season...if the Cowboys lose this game...it's going to be pretty dark." (24:30)
• Score Predictions:
  • Landon: "I think something like 28 to 24 is...a good score..." (23:57)
  • Marcus: "I think they win a 30 to 27 game. But I don't think...the Cowboys control [it]. I think it's going to be really, really tight throughout and I would think Dak at home gets it done." (25:14)
• Brissette’s Limitation in the Run Game:
  • Marcus concludes the Arizona run game without Kyler or top backs is much less threatening (25:56).
• Cowboys Need More Than Wins:
  • Landon: "We need something to make this defense play better...you need personnel better. So it's not just a win that's going to...turn this around a little bit. It's a win, you know, a trade, some personnel changes, something that's going to really change the angles on defense." (27:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the QB Change:

  • "How much does it matter that Kyler's not starting and it's going to be Jacoby Brissette instead?" — Marcus (01:17)
  • "Oh yeah, it matters. It has an effect for sure...But as far as efficacy or, or how much the Cowboys defense needs to be concerned...I don't know that it has a...that much of an effect." — Landon (02:42)

• On Defensive Aggression:

  • "I would rather lose being aggressive than being passive and letting Arizona kind of control the tempo of this game." — Marcus (08:59)
  • "Because you have Brissette in there, I wouldn't be afraid to kind of play a heavy amount of man coverage this week and come after the quarterback..." — Landon (09:52)

• On CD Lamb:

  • "He needs to have one of those vintage, you know, eight catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. They really need CD Lamb to play like a superstar." — Marcus (19:01)
  • "We need to see a healthy version of CD Lamb operating out of the slot. And you're going to see fireworks on this offense." — Landon (19:31)

• On What’s at Stake:

  • “This is kind of their season...if the Cowboys lose this game...it's going to be pretty dark.” — Marcus (24:30)
  • "You need personnel better. So it's not just a win that's going to need to turn this around..." — Landon (27:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Start of Analysis/Show: 01:17
• QB Switch: Does it Matter? 02:42
• Vegas Odds Unchanged with Brissette: 03:42
• Cardinals Offensive Strategy w/Brissette: 04:46
• Covering Trey McBride / WR Threats: 05:40–07:57
• Discussing Blitzing Brissette: 07:57–08:59
• How Aggressive Should the Cowboys Be? 08:59–10:41
• Cowboys Offense vs. Gannon’s Defense: 13:47
• Can You Beat Quarters Deep? 14:40
• Importance of Run Game: 15:48
• Short Passing Game, CD’s Health: 17:38–19:49
• Predictions and Stakes: 22:28–27:53

Summary Table

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Opening | QB switch – Kyler to Brissette | 01:17 | | Does it matter? | Immediate reaction to Brissette starting | 02:42 | | Vegas take | Over/under doesn’t move with QB change | 03:42 | | Defensive strategy | How Dallas should defend Brissette/Cardinals | 04:46 | | McBride/WR matchups | Who can beat Cowboys’ depleted secondary | 05:40-07:57| | To blitz or not? | Weighing aggression vs. experience | 07:57-08:59| | Aggressive philosophy | Why Dallas must attack | 08:59 | | Cowboys offense preview | Best approach vs. quarters defense, run game importance | 13:47-15:48| | Short passing game/CD | Getting Lamb / TEs involved, injury concerns | 17:38-19:49| | Stakes/predictions | Why Cowboys must win, score predictions | 22:28-27:53|

Final Takeaway

With Kyler Murray sidelined, the Cowboys have a major opportunity against a less-mobile, traditional quarterback in Jacoby Brissette. However, both hosts warn not to overlook Arizona or Jonathan Gannon’s clever defensive schemes. The onus is on Dallas to be aggressive on both sides of the ball, win with superior talent, and keep playoff hopes alive. The consensus: This is a must-win, high-pressure spot for a banged-up Cowboys team needing a strong showing on Monday Night Football.

End of summary.