Cowboys LOSE on Monday Night Football To Cardinals | Season Already Over?

Summary

Locked On Cowboys Podcast Summary

Episode: Cowboys LOSE on Monday Night Football To Cardinals | Season Already Over?
Date: November 4, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher, Landon McCool

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Episode Overview

This episode of Locked On Cowboys offers an in-depth, sobering breakdown of the Dallas Cowboys’ disappointing 27–17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool candidly discuss whether the Cowboys’ 2025 season is functionally over at Week 9, dissecting the team's struggles on offense and defense, concerns about coaching, and the bleak outlook heading into the bye week.

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Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Season on the Brink: “It’s Over”

• Current State: The Cowboys fall to 3-5-1, entering the bye week with dwindling playoff hopes and a demoralized locker room.
• Lost Opportunities: The hosts note that the team’s victories have come against struggling or backup QBs and that the roster appears to be regressing.
  • Quote (Marcus, 01:49): “It feels like this is the end of the season. You're 3-5-1 going into a bye week…It looks like they're getting worse week in and week out, and that's generally not a good sign.”
• Playoff Math: The Cowboys are realistically out of playoff contention due to the competitive NFC standings and a looming tough schedule.
  • Quote (Landon, 06:06): “You have to go 7-1 over your next eight games to make the playoffs because you're not making the playoffs at 9-7-1. There's no way.”

2. Offensive Regression & Frustration ([09:38], [19:27], [20:03])

• Lack of Identity: The offense—which was previously a strength—has stalled out, with poor pass protection, questionable playcalling, and disappointing performances from key players.
  • Quote (Marcus, 09:38): “I thought last week was their worst offensive performance. This was somehow worse.”
• Key Players Faltering: High-profile contributors like Jake Ferguson, Tyler Smith, and Duron Bland are underperforming despite newly signed contracts.
  • Quote (Marcus, 07:43): "This is the worst I've ever seen Duron Bland play. Jake Ferguson got a new deal before the season started and he played awful. Tyler Smith... is not playing well."
• Offensive Line Issues: The offensive line is struggling more now, even as veterans return, than when backups were playing.
  • Quote (Marcus, 09:38): “This offensive line was playing better when it was T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman and Akim Adeniji at left guard. I don't know what's happened to this unit.”
• Red Zone Inefficiency and Poor Situational Football: Miscues and penalties in the red zone, as well as a lack of planning on key 3rd and 4th downs, contribute to the offensive woes.
  • *Notable sequence discussed (24:49-26:34): First-and-goal sequence on the opening drive where poor play-calling and player usage resulted in zero points.

3. Defensive Struggles & Lack of Building Blocks ([14:07], [17:57], [18:43])

• Marginal Improvements, But Not Enough: While there were flashes of effective defensive line play (notably from Ezra Rocu and Jadeveon Clowney), the defense as a whole remains susceptible, particularly on third downs and against play-action.
  • Quote (Landon, 14:42): “It did feel like a different defensive performance, especially early...But then just kept on giving up every single third down.”
• Secondary and Linebacker Play: The secondary looked “pathetic,” with little professionalism, as the Cowboys were down to deep backups at safety and linebacker. Shamar James’s poor tackling and obvious inexperience were highlighted.
  • Quote (Landon, 15:56): “The linebacker play, the secondary play...specifically the secondary play, the safeties and corners was just absolutely. It wasn't professional. Like, it was pathetic at times.”
• Old Contributors, Few Young Stars: Most of the defense’s best performers are aging veterans on short-term deals or trade candidates.
  • Quote (Marcus, 17:57): “Some of the guys that played well...It's all guys that are like old, in their 30s that probably don't really have a future here.”

4. Coaching Questions: Brian Schottenheimer Under the Microscope ([23:10], [26:34])

• Early Optimism Fades: After early-season confidence in Schottenheimer as both play-caller and head coach, persistent offensive issues and questionable in-game management have reduced optimism.
  • Quote (Marcus, 24:49): “Over the last two games, my confidence is starting to wane.”
• Growing Pains or Real Problems? Landon suggests that Schottenheimer is still learning and dealing with tough circumstances (roster issues, defensive collapses), so he’s not yet on the “hot seat.”
  • Quote (Landon, 23:10): “I think he's mostly done a good job for a guy who's never been a head coach before, especially while calling offensive plays.”
• Situational Playcalling Critiqued: Two drive sequences exemplify a lack of in-game decisiveness and feel, such as third/fourth-down decisions and wasting clock late when trailing by multiple scores.

5. The Bi-Weekly Malaise and Looking Ahead ([20:22])

• Vibes at an “All-Time Low”: Morale around the team and locker room is bleak. Both hosts emphasize how fans and the team are “spiritually out of it.”
  • Quote (Marcus, 20:22): “It feels like this team continues to get further and further away...It seems like since that game [Packers playoff loss] it's just made a steady decline and...the vibes are at an all time low right now.”
• Trade Deadline and Rebuild Watch: With the season functionally over, the focus for the rest of 2025 shifts to evaluating young players, avoiding rash trade decisions, and planning for the future.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s so over.”
  Landon encapsulates the mood with repeated acknowledgment that the playoff hopes are dead (06:18).
• “I’m just so frustrated, Land.”
  Marcus voices the exasperation of Cowboys fans and analysts alike regarding the ongoing offensive struggles (20:22).
• “There’s hardly any building blocks on this defense that you feel good about for 2026 and beyond.”
  Marcus, on the future outlook for the defensive unit (18:43).
• “Is [Schottenheimer] the solution though? ...I’m starting to worry that he’s not going to be the guy that’s going to solve some of the issues that they’ve had against some better defenses.”
  Marcus, questioning Schottenheimer’s long-term role as offensive architect (27:49).

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Key Timestamps

• 01:49 — Framing of the discussion: “Season feels over,” setting the tone
• 06:06 — Playoff math and discussion of must-win gauntlet ahead
• 09:38 — First deep dive on offensive futility and key player regression
• 14:07 — Defensive performance breakdown begins
• 17:57 — Concerns about defensive core and future talent
• 19:27 — Fumbles, red zone offense, and missed opportunities
• 20:22 — All-time low team morale/vibes
• 23:10 — Schottenheimer’s first-year report card and context
• 24:49-27:49 — Detailed critique of situational playcalling and coaching

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode maintains an honest, at times frustrated, but always analytical tone. Both hosts balance stark realism about the Cowboys’ present and future with measured takes, providing insight for fans both devastated by the season’s turn and looking for answers as to “what’s next.”

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Takeaway

If you’re searching for hope, this is not the podcast episode for you. Marcus and Landon pull no punches: playoff chances are mathematically and spiritually dead; the offense and defense are regressing; key players and coaches are under the microscope; and the only thing worth watching post-bye is how the Cowboys begin planning for 2026 and beyond. This is the definitive breakdown of where the 2025 Dallas Cowboys stand at midseason—painful, truthful, and a must-listen for diehards who want clarity, not spin.

Transcript

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[Marcus Mosher]

The Dallas Cowboys 2025 season comes to an end in Week 9. Tell you how that happened next. You are Locked On Cowboys, your daily Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day. Welcome back to the Locked on Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen of the day.

[Landon McCool]

Thank you.

[Marcus Mosher]

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can bet just $5, and if your bet wins, you'll get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. Welcome back. I am your host, Marcus Mosher. He is Landon McCool. And on today's show, we're discussing the Cowboys 27 to 17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. We're going to talk about the offense struggling, the defense doing what the defense generally does. But Laynan, it feels like this is the end of the season. You're 3, 5 and 1 going into a bye week. Your three wins have come against Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and then half Jaden Daniels, half Marcus Mariota. And I think the biggest concern for me is it looks like they're getting worse week in and week out, and that's generally not a good sign.

[Landon McCool]

Yes, it's not the right direction to be heading at this point. Yeah, I mean, I think what's, what's truly frustrating is that the defense does, I don't know, like, ultimately, if I, if I kind of step away from the game a little bit, I do feel like the, there were things in the defense that we saw this week that I liked more than I saw, than I've seen in several weeks. I feel like they were at least on Applying pressure and, and you saw a little bit more man coverage, but again, it was just so fruitless. It was like, you know, ultimately, by the time that they were making stops and actually doing things, the Cowboys offense basically was kind of unable to do anything. And it feels like when they get into the situation where they're having to play from behind, the Cowboys offensive magic kind of wears off. Right. Like, they, like, they're not a good enough pass protection team right now to play from behind and kind of unleash the offense the same way as when they're playing with the more balanced game set. Right. And, and I think, you know, it creates a terrible situation for the Cowboys where the defense can't stop anybody and the offense is hurting itself trying to catch up. Right. And, and, and I. It was never more on display than it feels like tonight, where the Cowboys kind of got into a negative game script quickly early in this game. And, and, and even more than that, it felt like Arizona was able to possess the ball. The Cowboys only had like, three, like, real offensive possessions in the first half, and then by the time the Cowboys, you know, actually kind of got into the swing of things, it was already halfway into the third quarter, if not more so. Just, Just a terrible game. And, and, you know, the opposite of, of complimentary football.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, we'll, we'll get into the offense, we'll get into the defense, but generally we talked about how important this game was on Monday for the Cowboys to at least keep some hopes for the playoffs alive. Right. If you go into the buy, we get 4, 4 and 1. At least you give yourself a chance in mid November to string together a couple WINS. But at 3, 5 and 1, with the way that the conference is set up where nine teams have at least five wins already, five teams already have six wins. And with the toughest part of the Cowboys season, you know, there's double schedule coming up. I mean, it's over Landon and it's, it sucks to be in the spot because we were in this exact same spot at this time last year where you. Your season was over before you got to week 10. You're. You're basically in evaluation mode for the second half of the year. And that's just a, a crappy part to be in. Especially now when you have a healthy quarterback. It's different when, like, Dak was out for the season last year. Like, okay, you kind of knew it, but to be this bad when your offense is this healthy, it's tough to watch.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, like, there's, there's like a huge difference between mathematically being out of it and, you know, spiritually being out of it. And, and I, I mean, I don't ever, however, how else to put the talent wise talent being out of it. And, and right now, you know, this was, I mean, look at the schedule. You're not going to play any easier teams than this at home.

[Marcus Mosher]

Like, I mean, you have to go 7 and 1 over your next eight games to make the playoffs because you're not making the playoffs at 9, 7 and 1. There's no, there's no way, there's no way.

[Landon McCool]

If this team like was playing well and they were like, you know, like keeping it close, like they, they were giving a herculean effort to keep it within 10 points from the Cardinals with their backup quarterback at home, like. Yeah, I mean it's, it's, it's, it's so over. Like. Yeah. And, and I think the Cowboys aren't going to play a team. They're not going to get a situation we talked about with Denver, right, that the Cowboys weren't going to necessarily face a tougher opposing defensive situation than playing Denver. In Denver, right. You're not going to get a more favorable situation than playing Arizona in Dallas for the rest of the season. That's not necessarily a huge strike against Arizona. That's. I mean, look at the schedule. Maybe you can say the Raiders, but they're a non conference team. And that's the point, right? You've got all these conference games, games, these NFC games that you have still left on your schedule. Get some of the best, play the teams in the conference, probably the best teams in the conference, and you don't have enough wins to like kind of make yourself within striking distance of the wild card. And you're not even close to where the Eagles are at this point, especially if they win, you know, a couple more games, get ahead of you. So yeah, it's, you're in a really bad position, you know, mathematically. And that would be if you had a team to even compete, to make it spicy mathematically.

[Marcus Mosher]

Here's the thing. In the second half of this game, like, I was obviously rooting for this team to come back. There just wasn't like a lot of juice for me in this game, partly because you can watch this team and realize they are so far away from being a contender. And I think that's the thing for me that has me most discouraged is not only are, you know, we gonna have to watch eight more games of this team, you know, before the Year's over. It just feels like they're so far away on defense and some of the big contracts they've given out. Like, this is the worst I've ever seen Duron Bland play. Jake Ferguson got a new deal before the season started and he played awful. Tyler Smith, I know he's banged up, but he's not playing well. It just seems like the vibes are really bad right now. And I, I'm sure it's not as bad as it seems, but, but it feels like we're getting pretty close to rock bottom here.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, I, I, I certainly think that, you know, for where look, all those guys had some of the worst games of their seat of their season, without a doubt. I mean, specifically bl, just obviously just a terrible game for him. Not that Ferguson didn't have a terrible game and not that Smith also didn't have a bad game, specifically against a rookie playing his first game. I just think that, you know, I, I have faith in like those guys long term and I, I understand why, why the contracts were signed. But you, you, you're, you're not wrong. And I think you tweeted it out earlier that, you know, when is Tyler Smith gonna have a good game and, and in, you know, injury, whatever you want to say, that's fair. Like, I mean, I, I think that they've, they've struggled at some of the key, you know, playmakers and guys who are supposed to be key supporting guys on this team having have not played up to their end of the deal here. This isn't just all about coaching or, and it's about execution and not just about the young players. It's about the veteran guys who are paid on this team too, not living up to their end of the deal.

[Marcus Mosher]

So, yeah, it's been frustrating real quick on the offense. I mean, this was just, I thought last week was their worst offensive performance. This was somehow worse. Like, you go on the first drive, you move the ball up and down the field. To not get any points out of that drive is frustrating. And then you have a quick three it out. The pass protection was awful all day. Some of the play calling, like late in this game, you know, you had a chance to cut the lead down to 10 and Brian shot and Hmer's calling second and 10 runs that are draining the clock. And then you're throwing screens on fourth down. Like, it just feels like this offense over the last couple weeks has been so different from what we saw in the first half of the season. And what I don't understand is Landon. The, the offensive line has had a bunch of injuries. Right. This offensive line was playing better when it was T.J. bass and Brock Hoffman and Akima Denise at left guard. Like, I don't know what's happened to this unit.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean I think again, like, I think it was similar then too, honestly. Is that when this team. It's just that this game, it happened earlier, right Where I think when this team gets into a situation where they're forced to throw the football, they, they're, they're, they're forced out of a balanced game script. They struggle to, to consistently protect the quarterback. And I think when they are grounding these guys in the run game a little bit, you know, having the pass is a kind of change of pace, almost like as a counterpunch. It really throws the, the pass rush off, off guard and it kind of helps them handle that situation. It's just consistently we've seen anytime there's a third and long situation they can't, they can't hold up in, in a straight up, you know, like five man protection against a.

[Marcus Mosher]

It's just watching this game compared to the Green Bay game when you didn't have CD Lamb and you were without four starting offensive linemen at one point, it's shocking. How much has changed in the last month. I don't know. I honestly don't know what's happening and I think that's what's so concerning for me. And we'll talk about Brian Schottenheimer, whether he's regressing as a play caller and a head coach. But we got some other concerns, including the defense, which gave up 315 yards to the Cardinals in the first three quarters. 27 points. We'll get to that unit next. This episode is brought to you by Build. Nobody likes paying rent, but if you must, you might as well get something for it. And that is where Built comes in. Built is changing the game by turning your rent payment into real rewards that you can actually use when you pay rent. Through Build, you can get flexible points that can be redeemed toward hundreds of hotels and airlines, a future rent payment, your next lift ride, and more. But Built isn't just about paying rent. It's about rewarding you around your entire neighborhood. I love that with Built, your rent finally works for you. You're earning points every month on something that you already have to pay. Built has made everyday life feel more rewarding for from your neighborhood to your travel plans. So turn your rent into rewards and start earning points now around your neighborhood neighborhood by going to join built.com lot NFL that is join built B I L T.com lot NFL and make sure to use the link so they they know that we sent you.

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[Marcus Mosher]

Welcome back to the Lot on Cowboys podcast. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen of the day. It sounds crazy to say this is the best defensive performance the Cowboys have had in like months because they gave up 27 points to Arizona in the first three quarters. The Cardinals moved the ball up and down the field. They converted multiple like 2nd and 19s, 3rd and 18s. It again. I know they figured some things out the second half, but this is a Jacoby Brissette led offense behind a very bad offensive line and they kind of ran all over you.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean look, I, I think, I think the reason that it, it felt good is because they were having some success early on first and second down. This, this did feel like a different defensive performance, especially early than, than some of the other situations where the Cowboys actually were having success stopping the run a little bit, but then just kept on giving up every single third down, right? Like, it's like Arizona was living and dying on third down early in this game and they were living like no, there was no dying. Right. And, and so, so that's Part of it, I think also part of it is that, I mean, if you're gonna take any positives away from this miserable, terrible, no good game, it's that it does feel like they found a better rotation for their defensive line. Right. You saw more Ezra Rocku as a rock who responded with his best game of the season. And, and I think that that's something you could build. I think Clowney also probably had his best game of the season. I mean, I think he should be.

[Marcus Mosher]

Somebody they, they try to trade at the deadline because he can still play like he could help somebody out. What is, what is he going to do for this team that's going to be headed towards five or six wins? Like, what's the point?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, 100%. Like, I, I don't disagree. I mean, I think, you know, at least to kind of counterbalance what you're going to be losing if you're trading, you know, tomorrow and we wake up and there's three trades on the table. So. Yeah, like, I, I think the reason that maybe it felt like this was a better performance by the Cowboys defense just despite being absolutely the worst thing you've ever seen in the worst performance is because some of the things that, that you're used to seeing as ugly were a little bit better. Right. Like the defensive line I felt like was a little bit better. But the linebacker play, the secondary play, specifically the secondary play, the safeties and, and corners was just absolutely. It wasn't professional. Like, it was, it was just, it was pathetic at times. And, and part of it is because some of these guys aren't professionals. Like the Cowboys are now four and five deep at the safety certain points when they have somebody coming in to give anybody a breather. So, you know, it's just, it looked disjointed and ugly and it really showed up on third downs. And then specifically, you know, they have Shemar James and, and Murray out there as your linebackers. So what, what is, what does Arizona do? They play action you to death. I mean, and they did like these, the linebackers were running, biting for it every single time. And there was just huge gaping holes underneath it. When you saw the guys breaking on these in breaking routes, specifically Marvin Harrison Jr. So it was just, it was, you know, it was, it was tough to watch. And then it just became, every play, it wasn't even just third down. It was like every play was a six, seven yard chunk. It felt like. And the Cowboys just had no way to stop them. And it was, nothing was more endemic I think than, than that third, what was it? The, the first drive coming out of the, out of the half replace replacement.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yep. Three players. Touchdown.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean that's, that's, it was just such, it was such a microcosm for how the defense was ultimately playing, you know, especially in the middle part of that game. Just absolutely terrible.

[Marcus Mosher]

Big picture. I think the thing that has me the most concerned is some of the guys that played well, like Dante Fowler I thought played pretty well in the passing game. You mentioned Clowney, Kenny Clark, made a couple plays. It's all guys that are like old, in their 30s that probably don't really have a future here. Whether they, they're on one year deals or they're going to end up getting caught or traded and you're relying on like a bunch of young guys hopefully to replace them. And you know we mentioned like Shamar James, I mean he was horrendous tonight. I mean the tackling from James is awful. So it just makes you feel like even the guys that are playing well, they're just not long term options. So I, I, I'm running out of words that even describe how I feel about this defense right now.

[David Harrison]

Now?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean they don't just don't have anything right now.

[Marcus Mosher]

Like you know, there's hardly any building blocks on this defense that you feel Good about for 20, 26 and beyond.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And I, I mean again I think that it's, it's not hard to turn over a defense if you can get the, the one or two pieces you need now you have to go and find those one or two pieces. But I, I do think that there's like, if you're gonna have this happening on one side of the ball that to have it on the defense is better. But like I think what's, what's, what's frustrating long term is that you feel like the offense is regressing as this defense is trying to figure it out. And, and that's what made it like really look ugly tonight is that the defense actually was able to get a stop or two when you actually needed them to and then they gave you a chance.

[Marcus Mosher]

Let's talk about the offense again because the defense at least gave you opportunities and chances to win this game. I, you know they, Cowboys have multiple possessions in the red zone. They had the, the, the fumble by Javante Williams. They had Jake Ferguson's fumble. They had just mistake after mistake. I agree with the decision to go for a touchdown on the first drive of the game because you know that you need to score touchdowns. You can't make the same mistake that you made last week in Denver. I, I just don't get why this offense has been struggling so much in the red zone.

[Landon McCool]

Penalties and, and, and you know, a lack of ability to pass protect is really, I mean, specifically in the red zone, I think has really, really hurt this team. And, and, and you know, that comes down to execution. It feels like.

[Marcus Mosher]

I'm just so frustrated. Land. It's just, it's, it feels like this team continues to get further and further away for that packers playoff game. Like it just, it seems like since that game it's just made a steady decline and going into a bye week where, I mean, they got 14 days to get ready for the Raiders and then they play. Is it Philadelphia, Kansas City, Detroit? I feel like the vibes are at an all time low right now.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And I feel like we said that several times already this season too.

[Marcus Mosher]

I know.

[Landon McCool]

Like, so. Which is not a great thing. Right? That's, that's not good.

[Marcus Mosher]

I want to talk about Brian Schottenheimer because I think after the first month and a half, month and a half of the season, we are feeling really good about him as a play caller and as a head coach. But over the last two games, my confidence is starting to wane. We'll, we'll get into that next. This episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The NBA is back and there's no better place to get in on the action than FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of of the NBA. Even if you miss the start of the game or you want to ride the hot hand, Vandal has live bets on everything from who will score the next bucket to fourth quarter comebacks. Plus, you can even combine your live bets into a same game parlay for a shot at a bigger payout. It keeps every game exciting, especially when your team is making that late game push. And right now FanDuel is offering new customers $300 in bonus bets when your first five dollar bet wins. So head over to FanDuel.com and sign up and play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA.

[David Harrison]

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[Marcus Mosher]

Welcome back to the Locked on Cowboys podcast. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen of the day. For your second listen, check out the Locked on NFL podcast. Two shows every single day. One in the Morning with Tyler Rowland, one in the afternoon with Tony Wiggins. Available wherever you get your podcast. All right, let's talk about Brian Schottenheimer because we are what now officially nine games through his tenure in Dallas going into a week 10 buy. How are you feeling about Schottenheimer?

[Landon McCool]

I think, you know, I think I, I still kind of feel the same. You know, I, I mean it's hard, I mean certainly, you know, some of this is going on him because he's the head coach, but it's hard for me to, to blame, you know what he's him for a lot of what's going on because I almost feel like he's a victim in a lot of this. I mean, and I mean that like both in the, you know, the defensive terror that, that he has that's kind of sucking the joy out of, out of his offensive contributions. I, I think the same goes in a certain degree with personnel and with, with the way the front office has handled personnel lately. I think he's been put in some tough situations at certain points and I think he's mostly done a good job for a guy who's never been a head coach before, especially while calling offensive plays. I certainly understand the, the, the, the concern with, with the play calling at certain points, but I also would, would present to you that he's being asked to, to do something that's, that's really, really difficult and that's, you know, again, trying to score points while protecting your, your defense from destroying itself and destroying you along with it. So I, I, I, I certainly am. I'm taking a more long term view with this head coach and I, and I think that, you know, found something positive here. I'm not, you know, you know, if it's a cut or dry thing, like is he on the hot seat for me or not? To me he's not like by any stretch of the imagination and I think that, that he's be, he's being put into a tough situation and he's a rookie coach and we're seeing that, I.

[Marcus Mosher]

Agree with all those points. It just feels like there's still a lot of maturing that needs to happen for him as a play caller. And like I'm going to give you two examples from this game. Javante Williams had back to back runs, very first drive of the game where they were like 11 yard runs, 13 yard runs, and he's clearly gassed, right? He was tapping his helmet to come out and they told him to stay in. So on first and goal on at the seven, they run a pitch to the outside, he loses two yards. Okay, whatever that happens. Second and goal for the nine, they throw a pass to Ferguson for five yards. Okay, so now it's third and goal from the fourth. You need to have it in your mind whether you're going out, going for, you know, a four down, four down because then it can change your play calls, right? They go past the Ferguson, that would have gained maybe two yards if he caught it, maybe. And then on fourth down, Dak is sacked and it's just like it was that sequence right there that you know, kind of started this game off, you know, off in a hole. The other one is right at the end of the third quarter, right? You're, you're try, you're down 27 to 10, you're down 17 points. You really need to try to score as fast as you can before that. The fourth quarter starts. They get a big play down the field to CD Lamp. They go incompletion to Pickens, whatever, second and 10 run to Javante Williams that loses a yard. So now it's third n they throw a six yard pass to, to CD Lamb. The clock ticks all the way down. They let the clock tuck from 25 seconds all the way down to the fourth quarter. They, and then they, they throw a pass, a short pass to CD Lamb that even if you would have caught it wouldn't have got him into or it would have got them the first down. And it really feels like the game was over at that point. It's now into the fourth quarter and you're down by three scores.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, there's still some of the situational stuff that, that's still tough and again like he's still learning as he's going through that stuff because again, it's not just about being a play call, it's about being a head coach too. And, and I think that he's, he's got to know that I, I think that second down run to me is, is an example of like sometimes you're, you have to allow your offensive lineman to fire off the ball a little bit and not be kind of at the victim of what's happening with the pass rush, you know, which I agree.

[Marcus Mosher]

But they ran out of shotgun and they ran a play to the right, which is like the complete opposite of what you're talking about. But I totally understand what you mean.

[Landon McCool]

I don't disagree with that, with, with, with that, with the specifics there because I, I do wish that they would have done more under center run game stuff and, and used, used that more because I felt like it would have served them. But look, I, I, I think overall like where we are with, with him, like on the list of, of things that, that are problematic about this team and about the future of this team is he's pretty low on it because, because I think he has imported a lot of the positive aspects that have unlocked this offense when it has been unlocked.

[Marcus Mosher]

But is he the solution though? That's, that's what I want to know. And honestly I think not say, I don't think he's hurting the offense, but I don't think he's gonna, I'm starting to worry that he's not going to be the guy that's going to solve some of the issues that they've had against some better defenses.

[Landon McCool]

I don't, I mean I, I don't know that that's like, I think the problem is specifically that they need to the offensive line to play better football, you know, and I don't know, I think that that's not necessarily a play calling issue. I think that they need to have better protection for Dak to be able to execute some of the downfield passing stuff. That's, you know, why you don't go that kind of high wire act all the time. And what's, what's the saying about throwing the football? There's three things that can happen and two of them are bad. So like that there's a reason that you run the football with more effectiveness so you can control a game. I think when they throw the football at this point, it's, it's, it's not a, it's not a 50, 50 proposition. They, they, they, they get pressured, they get sacked, that gets hit and when that happens, that's when bad things happen on offense. That's when turnovers happen. Look, I mean Javante Williams fumbled the football as well. You know, you know, running the ball, it certainly can't happen when, when you're running the ball. I just think that this offensive line, in order to be effective, they need to have that run game aspect in order for them to be able to.

[Marcus Mosher]

Function better as pass protectors 3, 5 and 1 after 9 games. I honestly I wasn't super high on this team going into the year, but even I'm surprised that they only have three wins up until this point. I think it's going to get even a lot worse for this Cowboys team coming out of the buy. We'll see. That is it for today's show. We want to thank you for making Loton Cowboys your first listed every single day. On tomorrow's show, we'll talk about the trade deadline which hope the Cowboys don't make any dumb moves, but we'll see. Follow Landon on Twitter @mccoolbcb I'm @marcus Moer and we will see you right back here on Wednesday.