Locked On Cowboys Podcast – Game Preview: Cowboys vs. Commanders (Week 7, 2025)

Hosts: Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool
Date: October 17, 2025
Theme: Can the Dallas Cowboys’ offense ignite against a depleted Washington Commanders defense? Can Dallas’ struggling defense get any critical stops?
Tone: Analytical, energetic, lightly humorous, dedicated to Cowboys fans

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Cowboys’ Week 7 NFC East showdown against the Washington Commanders. Marcus and Landon break down the unique circumstances favoring Dallas—mostly health-related advantages and the Commanders’ defensive woes. The hosts explore how the Cowboys offense could exploit Washington’s slowing defense, what kind of performance is required from Dak Prescott, and the blueprint to (hopefully) slow down Jaden Daniels and the Commanders ground game.

Key Topics & Analysis

1. Cowboys’ Health vs. Commanders’ Injuries

[01:25 - 03:44]

• Cowboys are getting healthier: Cowboys poised to have several key players back, including WR CeeDee Lamb, potentially RB Booker, and most of the starting offensive unit.
• Commanders are banged up: Washington will likely be without WR Terry McLaurin and WR Noah Brown; the status of "Debo Samuel" is in doubt due to a heel injury. Star pass rusher Dorance Armstrong (now with WAS) is also likely out with a hamstring issue.
• Hosts’ Reaction:
  • Landon McCool: “The Cowboys find themselves in a very unusual position… they're the more healthy team going into this game.” [02:21]
  • Marcus Mosher: Emphasizes how rare it is for Dallas to be on the positive side of the injury report.

2. CeeDee Lamb's Return and Offensive Matchups

[03:15 - 04:51]

• Lamb is nearly 100%: Was a full participant in Thursday practice and reported “no restrictions.”
• Why it matters:
  • Landon McCool: “Just having both of those guys out there against an outmanned … defensive secondary for the Commanders that is just not simply going to be able to keep up…” [03:44]
• Commanders’ secondary is vulnerable: Bears game exposed them; lack of pass rush compounds their issues.
• Receivers should exploit slow linebackers/safeties: Bobby Wagner is having a slower year; Dallas could exploit underneath and after the catch.

3. Exploiting Washington’s Defensive Weaknesses

[04:51 - 07:40]

• Washington lacks speed:
  • Marcus Mosher: “The overall team speed of Washington is really bad. They're just a slow defense.” [04:51]
• Cowboys attack plan: More outside runs, jet sweeps, utilize Kevontae Turpin and George Pickens in space.
• Target the edges:
  • Landon McCool: “Stay away from Allen in the middle and just run out to the outside and attack the edges. And I think that they're going to have success, especially for a group that's…older…” [06:53]
• Play-action can compound the Commanders’ problems if run game is effective.

4. Dak Prescott vs. Dan Quinn’s Defense

[07:40 - 09:09]

• Dan Quinn’s tendencies: Primarily man coverage, some Cover 3, Cover 1, and predictable blitzes/twists.
• Dak’s advantage: Familiar with Quinn; key is pre-snap adjustments and offensive line recognition.
• Winning matchups: Ultimately, it comes down to Cowboys’ WRs beating inferior Commanders corners in man.

5. How Many Points Does Dallas Need?

[09:09 - 10:14]

• High-scoring expectations:
  • Landon McCool: “I think…35 points is what you need to win this game.” [09:22]
  • Marcus Mosher: “I was going to say 31, but you're probably right. 35 is the number…” [09:50]
• Landon on mindset: “The reason I picked 35 is because I think you need touchdowns. So don't settle for…that field goal at the end.” [09:59]

6. Defensive Blueprint: Stopping Jaden Daniels and the Washington Offense

[12:47 - 17:00]

• Jaden Daniels as a threat: Elite scrambler, 20%+ scramble rate on dropbacks.
• Minimal weapons for Daniels: Commanders WR injuries limit passing options.
• Contain Daniels, keep plays in front:
  • Landon McCool: “You’ve got to have a plan for Jaden Daniels the scrambler… still scrambling at the highest rate in the entire NFL.” [12:47]
• Zone may be better than man for Dallas: Keep DBs’ eyes on Daniels, even if riskier vs. deep shots.
• Cowboys’ defense must play sound: Assignment discipline, leverage, and run fits are crucial.

7. Cowboys Defensive Tactics: Blitz or Contain?

[17:00 - 18:49]

• Debate between sending more blitzes or playing contain rush.
  • Landon McCool: “To me, if you're power ranking the threats… it's what Daniels can do with his legs… breaking from structure…” [17:07]
  • Marcus Mosher: Suggests blitzing may make sense with Commanders’ inexperienced WRs, potentially forcing mistakes.

8. The Interior Battle: Dallas DTs vs. Washington IOL

[18:49 - 20:01]

• The play of Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark is called out as needing to improve after a rough game vs. Carolina.
• Marcus Mosher: “If you're going to win this game and your defense is going to get stops … [the DTs] got to play a lot better than they did last week against Carolina.” [18:49]

9. Predictions & Final Thoughts

[22:31 - 27:32]

• Landon’s Pick:
  • Cowboys win, 35-30.
  • “The tone of … how they’re talking about CeeDee Lamb and how he could have played last week… makes me think that he’s going to be fully good to go.” [22:31]
  • Expects high scoring, doubts either defense will stop the other.
• Marcus’s Pick:
  • Picks Washington but is ambivalent.
  • “I just think Washington's better. I just, I, this Cowboys defense is so bad right now…” [23:44]
  • Neither team is a playoff lock in his view.
• Key debates in closing:
  • Will the Cowboys’ run defense hold up or continue to regress?
  • Can Dallas win early downs and force Washington into third-and-longs?
    • Landon McCool: “With Washington, it's second down…You need to win first down to get them into disadvantageous second downs…” [27:04]

Notable Quotes

• “Cowboys find themselves in a very unusual position… they're the more healthy team going into this game.” – Landon McCool [02:21]
• “The overall team speed of Washington is really bad. They're just a slow defense.” – Marcus Mosher [04:51]
• “I think you need touchdowns. So don't settle for…that field goal at the end.” – Landon McCool [09:59]
• “You’ve got to have a plan for Jaden Daniels the scrambler… still scrambling at the highest rate in the entire NFL.” – Landon McCool [12:47]
• “I just think Washington's better. I just, I, this Cowboys defense is so bad right now…” – Marcus Mosher [23:44]

Segment Timestamps

• 01:25 – Episode proper begins, injury rundown
• 03:15 – CeeDee Lamb’s return: health and impact on offense
• 04:51 – Commanders’ lack of speed, offensive game plan for Dallas
• 07:40 – Dak vs. Dan Quinn’s defense
• 09:22 – Projected scoring needs: “How many points do you need?”
• 12:47 – Defensive strategy: containing Jaden Daniels
• 17:00 – Blitz vs. Contain debate
• 18:49 – Cowboys defensive tackles called out for improvement
• 22:31 – Landon’s prediction (Cowboys win 35-30)
• 23:44 – Marcus’s prediction (leans Washington, criticizes Cowboys defense)
• 27:04 – Key to beating Washington: stop them on early downs

Final Takeaways

• Offense is key for Dallas: Attacking an overmatched, aging, slow defense with playmakers returning is the focus.
• Defense is worrisome: Neither host believes Dallas can consistently stop Washington’s ground game or Jaden Daniels’ improvisation, especially given recent struggles.
• This could be a shootout: Both expect a high-scoring affair with Dallas needing at least five touchdowns to win.

Useful For Anyone Who Missed the Episode:
This summary covers all major discussion points, tactical insights, injury news, and hosts’ predictions—enabling listeners to feel fully prepped for the big game.