Locked On Cowboys: Cowboys Must-Win vs. Vikings on SNF – Cowboys Squad Show Recap

Episode Date: December 11, 2025

Hosts: Landon McCool, Marcus Mosher, Glenn "Stretch" Smith (Former Cowboys Coach), Jeff Biggs

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the Dallas Cowboys entering a crucial stretch of their season: a must-win game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. The hosts break down recent struggles, discuss the path forward, analyze key personnel issues, and examine what the team must fix—particularly on defense and in their weekly preparation—if they're to keep their playoff hopes alive in a turbulent NFC race. The crew dives into injury updates, recent controversial media moments (the Pickens/Sherman incident), and what to expect against Minnesota.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Cowboys’ Season So Far: Surviving the “Stretch From Hell”

(02:01–05:31)

• Cowboys just finished a brutal sequence: 4 games in 17 days. This "stretch from hell" left the team battered and inconsistent.
• All hosts agree: the remainder of the season is a week-to-week proposition with no room for error given their record and position.
• Marcus Mosher: “They have some games, they look awesome… but they’re this kind of week-to-week team in a league that feels very much week-to-week right now.” (03:27)
• The NFC’s "middle class" muddle means there’s still an (unlikely) wildcard path if they “run the table.”

2. Closing Out Games, Fatigue, and Fast Starts

(05:31–11:29)

• Glenn Stretch Smith: “Handle your business in your own backyard… I want to see a team that can show they know how to play defense on the back end.” (05:31)
• The panel attributes the disappointing Detroit loss largely to emotional and physical fatigue after draining games against the Eagles and Chiefs.
• Fast starts are an issue: Cowboys average just 3.8 points in the first quarter, often falling behind early and needing frantic rallies.
• Marcus Mosher: “They've only scored multiple times in the first quarter once all season. That was against Washington.” (11:29-11:34)

3. Offensive Playcalling & Scripting – Should Dallas Steal from the Best?

(13:05–19:19)

• Glenn Stretch Smith: Breaks down the tension between using the scripted opening plays for reconnaissance vs. coming out aggressively.
• Marcus Mosher: Highlights data—teams like the Rams, Colts, Lions, Bears, and 49ers are top in opening drive points by passing heavily early with lots of play-action and motion. Suggests Dallas should borrow from this.
  • “All these teams have a neutral pass rate of like 85%… maybe that’s just what we need to see from the Cowboys.” (16:28)
• The hosts agree that over-reliance on run-run-pass sequences (especially running on 2nd and 10 after incomplete passes) bogs the offense down.

Notable Quote:
“NFL is plagiarism at its finest… look at what the best [fast-starting] teams are doing and copy it.”
— Glenn Stretch Smith (13:05–14:38)

4. Defensive Crisis: Linebackers & Secondary Issues

(25:23–31:52)

• Marcus Mosher (on linebacker/DB problems): “Can the linebacker and secondary issues be fixed in four games? No.” (25:49)
• Marvin Overshown (LB) is being asked to "make everyone right"—his skillset is stretched too thin as other LBs fail to step up.
• Glenn Stretch Smith calls out the front office’s personnel moves, notably the failed acquisition of Kenneth Murray and the puzzling roster moves at LB and DB.
  • “Somebody is going to have to be held accountable for some bad personnel moves… this team is desperately struggling at linebacker and in the secondary because they don’t have very good players.” (29:17–31:52)
• Discussion of Trayvon Diggs situation—uncertainty about his injury, possible tension with coaches/front office, and speculation he may not play another snap in Dallas.

Notable Quote:
“It's taken a sledgehammer to the Cowboys defense at times and it continues to be the kind of mistake that the Cowboys refuse to do anything about.”
— Jeff Biggs, on Kenneth Murray (33:23–34:45)

5. The George Pickens/Richard Sherman “Effort” Controversy

(42:03–52:34)

• Recap: Richard Sherman called out George Pickens (Cowboys WR) for lackluster effort vs. Detroit; Pickens responded and deleted a social media post.
• The hosts agree this is more media-fueled “culture war” than real concern—effort on a handful of plays was subpar but not egregious.
  • Jeff Biggs: “It's in the zeitgeist… Pickens has a target on his back now.” (42:43)
  • Marcus Mosher: “If it happens twice in five games, then it's a story. I just don’t think it's that big of a deal yet.” (45:32)
  • Glenn Stretch Smith (coach’s perspective): “If you come off the football and see you’re getting bracketed, you know you’re not getting the football… I don’t have a problem with it at all.” (47:04)

6. Key Injuries & Status Updates

(54:38–55:41)

• Ceedee Lamb: In concussion protocol, but practicing; likely to play.
• Jadeveon Clowney: Limited practice, trending in right direction.
• Tyler Guyton (LT): Still out with ankle injury, unlikely to play vs. Vikings.
• Malik Hooker: Missed practice but expected to return.
• Discussion of backup LT Nate Thomas’ rough outing vs. Detroit and need for better protection/game planning.

7. Vikings Matchup Preview (Must-Win Game)

(57:59–60:23)

• Minnesota is the healthiest they've been up front; expect the offense to rely on balanced attack but with explosive potential from Justin Jefferson.
• Defense will challenge the Cowboys with varied looks/blitzes; protecting Dak is key.
• The hosts see this as a “house money” game for Minnesota—nothing to lose, could play loose and take chances.
• For Dallas: Offense must start fast, defense must win up front, and they can’t count on the Vikings rolling over.

Notable Quote:
“This is a must-win game for the Cowboys. I don’t expect the Vikings just to lay down because they're 4-9. You're going to get their best shot.”
— Marcus Mosher (58:24)

8. The Eagles and the Playoff Picture

(60:24–62:42)

• Cowboys have a tough remaining schedule, Eagles have a “softer” path but are in free-fall, with a three-game losing streak and major internal issues.
  • Jeff Biggs: “I’m not at all going to be shocked if they lose to Kenny Pickett and the Raiders… they seem completely disoriented.”
  • Glenn Stretch Smith (on Eagles’ home crowd): “They are waiting to unload on that team… I hope they get down there and just get the booing the hell out of them.” (62:26–62:42)

9. Final Thoughts: Cowboys’ Playoff Odds

(62:49–63:44)

• Cowboys’ playoff odds sit at roughly 10%—it’s all about winning each week, starting with this critical Vikings game.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Marcus Mosher: “There were about three players on defense… responsible for 90% of the mental mistakes. That Kenneth Murray spot is one.” (34:54)
• Glenn Stretch Smith: “If you can get out there and get a lead… [that] helps [the O-line]. If you’re trying to get five out in the route, he’s going to get exposed. So is Terence Steele. He got exposed too.” (57:00)
• Jeff Biggs: “I’m really tired of Kenneth Murray being on my football team. Well, he is a good guy, but I’m just tired of it, man.” (34:47)

Important Timestamps

• Start of Cowboys discussion & "Stretch from Hell": 02:01
• Handling pressure, focus, and playoff chances: 05:31–07:34
• On first quarter scoring woes: 11:29–12:11
• Offensive scripting & playcalling debate: 13:05–19:19
• Personnel issues on defense: 25:23–31:52
• Pickens/Sherman social media flare-up: 42:03–52:34
• Injury reports & impact: 54:38–56:02
• Vikings game preview: 57:59–60:23
• Eagles/Playoff landscape: 60:24–62:42
• Wrap-up & playoff odds: 62:49

Conclusion

This episode captures the urgency and tension surrounding Dallas as they head into a must-win Sunday Night matchup with the Vikings. The hosts lay bare the team’s lingering issues on defense, challenge the coaches and front office for questionable moves, and stress the need for a faster offensive start. Despite off-field controversies and a dwindling playoff chance, the mood is focused and combative: one game at a time, or the season is done.

Find more Cowboys analysis and daily updates on the Locked On Cowboys Podcast.