Locked On Cowboys Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Cowboys MUST Win in Chicago | Can Matt Eberflus Slow Down Caleb Williams?
Hosts: Marcus Mosher, Landon McCool
Date: September 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode previews the Dallas Cowboys' critical Week 3 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Marcus and Landon analyze the key challenges, focusing on how the Cowboys’ defense can disrupt rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and how Dallas’ offense can exploit a decimated Bears defense. The hosts also discuss strategic matchups, injury impacts, and make game predictions, providing fans with a thorough and lively preview ahead of Sunday’s game.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caleb Williams: High Variance Threat (02:30–05:11)

• Caleb Williams described as “high variance”: He’s capable of explosive plays outside the pocket but also prone to mistakes under pressure.
  • Quote (Marcus, 02:32): "He's a high variance quarterback that can make some big plays outside the pocket with his arm."
• Cowboys’ need to disrupt Williams: Landon stresses that letting Williams sit comfortably in the pocket would spell trouble.
  • Mixing coverages is critical; too much soft zone without pressure could leave Dallas vulnerable.
  • The Cowboys should consider more blitzes, even without top corner DaRon Bland.
• Blitzing raises the stakes: Landon frames it as a calculated risk to force mistakes.
  • Quote (Landon, 04:56): “It could be a big… long distance touchdown, but it also could be a strip sack… might as well force that issue.”

2. Defensive Adjustments: Pressure and Run Defense (05:11–09:21)

• Stop the run early: Chicago’s ground game has struggled, but the hosts warn not to let the Bears find confidence on early downs.
  • Quote (Marcus, 05:11): “You can't let them get confidence… that’s just going to open up the playbook for Ben Johnson.”
• Blitzing on early downs: Landon argues for more aggressive run/pass blitzes early, noting Dallas’ low blitz rates and drop-off in pass rush ‘win’ rates from 3rd to 1st downs.
  • Quote (Landon, 06:54): “On third down, their win rates are going way, way up… so you don't really need to be blitzing as much.”
• Edge containment: Marcus and Landon suggest using more athletic pass rushers to chase Williams outside the pocket, preferring Sam Williams and Donovan Azu Rocku over slower veterans.
  • Quote (Marcus, 07:31): “I think this is a game where you want your more athletic edge rushers… there’s going to be a lot of plays in this game where… you’re going to have to win 4, 5, 6 seconds into the play.”

3. Bears Offensive Weapons (09:21–10:31)

• Tight ends could be trouble: Both hosts worry that Dallas’ linebackers haven’t covered well, with Colson Loveland pegged as a breakout candidate.
  • Quote (Marcus, 09:21): “The one [pass catcher] that makes me the most nervous in this one.”
• Young Bears pass catchers: Look out for previously underutilized talents like Luther Burden; “they’re going to use those guys and give them opportunities” (Landon, 09:57).

4. Cowboys Offense vs. Shorthanded Bears Defense (13:04–17:32)

• Major injuries for Chicago: Three starting defensive backs and their top linebacker are out, leaving reserves like Tyrique Stevenson and former Cowboy Nahshon Wright vulnerable.
  • Quote (Landon, 14:15): “Naysha Wright is their savior at this point, guys… he is what he is.”
• Anticipate CD Lamb heavy coverage: New Bears DC Dennis Allen is expected to double-team Lamb, which should open opportunities for others, especially new addition George Pickens.
  • Quote (Landon, 15:10): “This is one of the reasons you brought in George Pickens… to take advantage of what happens when that happens.”
• Playcalling philosophy: Both hosts agree the Cowboys should use the run game to control the clock, sustain drives, and limit exposure to Chicago’s defensive front, namely Montez Sweat.
  • Quote (Landon, 17:32): “You have the ability to do that and it makes your passing attack more efficient, more effective.”
• Maximize mismatches: With Chicago’s depth tested at corner, the Cowboys should target one-on-ones for Pickens and run play-action to exploit aggressive but thin coverage.

5. Game Management, Personnel & Offensive Identity (17:32–20:54)

• Run game to neutralize pass rush: By controlling time of possession, Dallas can sap the energy from Chicago’s strongest defenders and protect its own defense.
• George Pickens’ role: This is a statement game for Pickens, expected to take on a true No. 2 role and exploit singular coverage.
  • Quote (Marcus, 19:26): “This is the game where you kind of find out whether George Pickens is worth $24, $25 million a year.”
• Mental toughness questions: Landon highlights the need for Pickens to control his emotions and avoid “careless” penalties or mental errors if defenses try to agitate him.
  • Quote (Landon, 20:24): “Can he maintain his own emotions and mentality? That's the question we have to have answered.”

6. Game Predictions & Closing Thoughts (23:21–28:16)

• Vegas line suggests a toss-up (“Cowboys by 1”)
  • Landon picks the Cowboys (28–21), trusting Dak Prescott over rookie Williams, and preferring Dallas’ ground game.
  • Quote (Landon, 25:53): “I trust the Cowboys’ offense more… Dak Prescott is by far the more superior quarterback.”
• Marcus is torn but leans Bears: He’s wary that Chicago is a “desperate team” that will empty the playbook in a near must-win scenario, but feels it’ll be close and may come down to turnovers.
  • Quote (Marcus, 26:26): “Whoever wins the turnover battle is going to win this one… I just don’t know if the Cowboys have that kind of wiggle room.”
• Physicality on the road: Marcus wants to see Dallas prove it can out-muscle a traditionally physical Bears team, even in a hostile environment.
  • Quote (Marcus, 27:54): “I want to see the Cowboys go into a team like Chicago on the road and be physical… that’s kind of the next step.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Caleb Williams’ volatility:
  “Blitzing him just ups the variance… it also could be a strip sack or… he forces himself into his own mistake.”
  – Landon McCool (04:56)
• On Bears' battered secondary:
  “Nashon Wright is their savior at this point, guys. And we all… know he is what he is.”
  – Landon (14:15)
• On George Pickens’ importance:
  “This is the game where you kind of find out whether George Pickens is worth $24, $25 million a year.”
  – Marcus (19:26)
• Prediction tension:
  “Whoever wins the turnover battle is going to win this one… I just don’t know if the Cowboys have that kind of wiggle room right now with their defense.”
  – Marcus (26:26)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Caleb Williams scouting & defensive plan: 02:30–05:11
• Run defense & blitz philosophy: 05:11–09:21
• Bears pass-catchers and tight end threat: 09:21–10:31
• Cowboys offense vs. Bears injuries: 13:04–17:32
• George Pickens’ role & offensive identity: 17:32–20:54
• Predictions and closing thoughts: 23:21–28:16

Episode Tone

• Analytical and conversational with light-hearted banter.
• Balanced optimism (Cowboys’ offensive talent) with caution (defensive inconsistency, Bears’ “desperation” factor).
• Insider’s perspective, referencing film study, advanced stats, and coaches’ tendencies.

Summary Takeaway

The Cowboys vs. Bears clash looms as a significant early-season test, with both teams seeking to answer big questions. The hosts lean toward a high-scoring game, where Dallas’ ability to pressure Caleb Williams and exploit Chicago’s depleted secondary are key. While Landon picks the Cowboys to edge a “shootout” by a touchdown, Marcus’s prediction hinges on turnovers and leans to the home team out of caution. Above all, the episode sets up a matchup full of strategic intrigue, individual tests (notably for George Pickens), and a vital opportunity for Dallas to establish physical dominance on the road.