Locked On Cowboys Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Cowboys Passing Game Should DOMINATE Injured Lions Defense | Another HUGE George Pickens Game?
Date: December 3, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool
Episode Focus: Preview of the Cowboys-Lions Thursday Night Football matchup, with deep analysis on key injuries, matchups, and playoff implications.

Episode Overview

This episode digs into the high-stakes Cowboys vs. Lions showdown for Week 14, highlighting why this could be the Cowboys’ biggest game of the season. Marcus and Landon analyze both teams’ strengths, injuries, and schematics, laying out how the Cowboys’ high-powered passing attack matches up against the Lions’ depleted defense. The duo further delves into Detroit’s offensive troubles and how Dallas should approach defending them before finishing with predictions and playoff scenarios.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stakes and Expectations (01:39 – 03:24)

• Nerves vs. Hope:
  Marcus opens by expressing cautious optimism about the Cowboys' momentum, warning, “It just…feels like something special is happening here, which means they'll probably get blown out by 30 and our hopes will be all crushed.” (02:03)
  Landon reminds listeners, “It's always gonna be the same until it isn't. Until the day that it isn't. So, you know, this could be the year that it isn't.” (02:51)

• Game Context:
  Both agree this is probably the Cowboys’ hardest game left on the schedule (03:20). Recent battles between Dallas and Detroit are described as “monumental,” making for a dramatic narrative given each team’s trajectory—Dallas rising, Detroit reeling from injuries.

2. Cowboys Offense vs. Injured Lions Defense (04:36 – 11:32)

• Detroit’s Injury Woes:

  • Notable Lions defenders out: corner Teron Arnold (shoulder, out for the year), safety Kirby Joseph, and injuries up front.
  • Marcus: “Their outside corners are Amik Robertson…DJ Reed who can play in the slot and on the outside. This is a major advantage for the Cowboys offense.” (04:36)

• Big Size/Athleticism Advantage:

  • Landon: “No matter whether…you're gonna get a DJ Reed or a Robertson on CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens and, you know, not only the size advantage but the athleticism advantage is going to be pretty serious.” (06:39)

• Neutralizing Lions’ Pass Rush:

  • Marcus: “This feels like to me a game where you're chipping Aiden Hutchinson on almost every snap. You're putting two guys on him…” (07:10)
  • Landon agrees Hutchinson is dangerous but easier to isolate with other Lions d-linemen underperforming.

• Run Game and Game Script:

  • Marcus stresses importance of running on early downs to avoid ‘obvious passing situations’ (09:00), but acknowledges the Lions' interior defenders are tough.
  • Landon: “The Cowboys need to be able to run the football...but I think this very much opens up the opportunity for you to open up the run game by throwing the football.” (09:34)

• Strategic Takeaway:

  • Both foresee Dallas “attacking them through the air, loosen[ing] things up, and then just control[ling] the clock” once ahead (11:10–11:32).
  • “You're going to win this game by throwing the football because you have such strong advantages there.” – Landon McCool (11:10)

3. Lions Offense: Key Absences & Defensive Approach (14:09 – 22:20)

• Main Offensive Weapons Out:

  • Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) and Sam LaPorta (back) are expected to miss, severely limiting Detroit’s playmaking (14:09).

• Cover 3 is Key:

  • Landon reveals Detroit struggles mightily versus Cover 3, both in pass efficiency and run success:
    “If you play against, if you play Cover 3, Detroit has their lowest success rate. They have their lowest EPA per dropback...and they're 2 yards per carry lighter before contact in the run game.” (14:48)

• Cowboys Defensive Line Matchup:

  • “Where they’re really struggling right now…is in the middle, interior.” (16:58)
  • Confidence in Dallas’ defensive tackles to disrupt the Lions’ depleted interior offensive line.

• Athletic Linebackers Needed:

  • Marcus highlights the need for Dallas to “put your best athletes on the field, let them… just kind of run to the football,” especially with Jameer Gibbs as a dangerous screen and space back (17:57).

• Discussion on Trick Plays:

  • Marcus expects ‘kitchen sink’ efforts from Detroit, with multiple trick plays expected given the must-win urgency for the Lions (18:56):
    “I expect multiple trick plays. This one.” (19:26)
  • Landon emphasizes Detroit is out of “a lot of great options for beating Cover 3” and could be left “playing left handed” against Dallas (19:32–20:19).

• Offensive Limitations and Game Flow:

  • Both discuss that Detroit’s offense hasn’t found its previous years’ groove—even when healthy.
  • On Dan Campbell, Marcus says: “He’s going to continue to be aggressive…on third and eight don’t give up seven yards because it automatically means they're going for it on fourth down.” (21:11)

4. Predictions and Playoff Stakes (22:20 – 29:47)

• Game Predictions:

  • Landon: “I think the Cowboys are going to win this game…I think probably 28 to 24.” (24:44)

  • Cautions, “If Detroit gets huge chunks to Dallas on the…run game, and then it opens up things for the play-action game, it could be a really long day for Dallas as well.” (26:26)

  • Marcus “picks” the Lions for tradition, but stresses it’ll be a high-scoring, close contest (28:08).

• Extra Motivation & Revenge Factor:

  • Landon: “I don't think that everyone forgot about what happened last year when Detroit came in here and ran up the score…there are some people in that locker room that are dogs and they do not like the way things went down last year…The opportunity to put Detroit out of the playoffs at home in Detroit…that’s a nice opportunity for them.” (28:12)

• Final Matchup Recap:

  • Marcus underlines game-defining matchups: “Cowboys wide receivers against this Lions secondary and the Cowboys defensive tackles against this beat up Lions offensive line should be enough to at least keep this game close if not win it.” (28:47)

• Playoff Math:

  • The playoff context is clear: “Right now the Cowboys have a 23 percent chance of making the playoffs according to The Athletic. They lose, that number drops down to 9%. But if they win, Landon—back up to 41%.” (29:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It's always gonna be the same until it isn't. Until the day that it isn't. So, you know, this could be the year that it isn't.” — Landon McCool (02:51)

• “There’s a massive size advantage here.” — Marcus Mosher, regarding Cowboys wide receivers vs. Lions DBs (06:12)

• “If you block Aiden Hutchinson, this Lions team has a hard time rushing the passer.” — Marcus Mosher (07:10)

• “You’re going to win this game by throwing the football because you have such strong advantages there.” — Landon McCool (11:10)

• “If you play against, if you play Cover 3, Detroit has their lowest success rate…lowest EPA per dropback…” — Landon McCool (14:48)

• “This is it to me. I think this is going to be one of those games where…I expect multiple trick plays.” — Marcus Mosher (19:19–19:26)

• “If the Cowboys can survive the first quarter and whether it's a, you know, one score game or they have a lead or it's tied, I think they're gonna be okay.” — Marcus Mosher (27:38)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening optimism & stakes: 01:39 – 03:24
• Cowboys offense vs. Lions D: 04:36 – 11:32
• Lions depleted offense & Dallas defense approach: 14:09 – 22:20
• Predictions & playoff scenarios: 22:20 – 29:47

Tone & Style

Friendly, analytical, and conversational, with a mix of cautious optimism and dry humor, especially regarding the Cowboys’ long history of dashed hopes. The hosts blend objective analysis with fan sensibility, frequently referencing recent performance, advanced stats, and emotional narrative.

Summary — For the Uninitiated

This episode breaks down why the Cowboys match up exceptionally well against a Lions team gutted by injuries, especially on defense, setting up Dallas’ passing game for a potential explosion. The hosts argue the game hinges on whether Dallas can block Aiden Hutchinson and exploit the secondary—and whether their own defense can prevent explosive runs from Jameer Gibbs. With huge playoff implications on the line, both expect an aggressive, closely contested matchup and ultimately (with Landon predicting a 28–24 win), a chance for Dallas to cash in on a battered rival—and maybe even settle an old score from last season.