Locked On Cowboys – Cowboys Squad Show: Must-Win in Detroit Preview

Podcast: Locked On Cowboys – Daily Podcast On The Dallas Cowboys

Hosts: Landon McCool, Marcus Mosher, Glenn "Stretch" Smith
Date: December 4, 2025
Episode Theme:
A must-win matchup in Detroit as the Cowboys aim for their fourth straight victory and keep their playoff hopes alive. The crew reviews the crucial win over the Chiefs, breaks down team resiliency, unpacks key coaching and roster storylines, dives deep into major injury impacts for both Dallas and Detroit, and debates what exactly this game means for the Cowboys' trajectory.

Episode Overview

This episode is all about the pressure-packed Thursday night showdown between the Cowboys and Lions—a game with massive playoff implications. The panel reflects on how Dallas leveraged resilience to beat Kansas City, the evolution under Brian Schottenheimer, challenging injury narratives, and what must happen for the Cowboys to control their destiny. The tone is equal parts cautious optimism and hard-nosed realism, laced with locker room insight and the familiar gallows humor of long-time Cowboys fans and analysts.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Thanksgiving Victory & Team Resilience (02:00 – 07:44)

• Cowboys overcame early adversity vs. the Chiefs, showcasing resilience and ability to recover after Mahomes struck quickly.
• Marcus Mosher (03:27):

  "I think the thing that's the most impressive about this Cowboys team is that they've shown some resiliency that I just don't think they've had in previous years... For the most part, the Cowboys controlled that entire game. Very impressive win."

• The panel notes this was "the kind of game the Cowboys usually lose"—highlighting improvement in mental toughness, adaptability, and not relying solely on CeeDee Lamb for offensive sparks.
• Landon McCool (04:17):

  "The thing that's different this year is that they have answers that they didn't have before... If you found a way to shut down CeeDee Lamb, you probably were going to be able to shut down this offense. That's changed."

2. Dak Prescott’s Growth and Locker Room Leadership (06:04 – 09:09)

• Dak’s quick recovery from early mistakes is lauded.
• Stretch (06:04):

  "Dak was able to have almost a defensive corner mentality. He erased a really bad interception early... I think that shows a little difference for me in how almost Dak is playing the game right now."

• The locker room’s demeanor and ability to rally are credited to the personalities, especially new head coach Brian Schottenheimer and Dak’s steady leadership.

3. Impact of Brian Schottenheimer as Head Coach (09:09 – 13:48)

• Schottenheimer’s approach, combining physicality and adaptability, is viewed as transformative.
• Prepares team for realities of the postseason, both in weather and opponent variety.
• Marcus Mosher (09:09):

  "It feels like Brian Schottenheimer is the right guy for the job... Even the little things, like having them out practicing in the rain and the cold... That's just not something that the previous coaching staffs have done."

• The panel reviews all he's had to deal with: last-minute trades, the Parsons drama, Jerry's interference, tragedies, and Hard Knocks cameras.
• Landon McCool (10:55):

  "He wasn't just stepping into the role of the head coach, he was stepping into the role of the head coach and play caller... He's done a fantastic job."

4. Player-Driven Culture vs. Coaching Change (13:48 – 16:16)

• Stretch emphasizes that while Schottenheimer’s done well, it’s the players and offseason moves that have ultimately shifted locker room mentality.
• Locker room “infectiousness" cited—big contributions from new acquisitions and Dak’s no-distraction focus.

5. Injury Updates: Cowboys and Lions (19:15 – 27:12)

• Cowboys OUT: Trayvon Diggs (not quite ready), Tyler Guyton (high ankle sprain).
• Nate Thomas to fill in; Kaylin Carson to return.
• Marcus (19:41):

  "You haven’t had Diggs for most of the season... Pretty healthy going into this matchup."

• Detroit Lions severely depleted: Pro Bowlers Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR), Kirby Joseph (S), and Sam LaPorta (TE) all out or questionable. Center and guard spots are a mess; depth chart at tight end is down to unknowns.
• Marcus Mosher (22:56):

  "Nobody even knows who these other tight ends are... They are down to their fourth, fifth, and sixth tight ends."

6. Detroit’s Offensive Adjustments—Expect “Kitchen Sink” Football (23:08 – 29:25)

• Panel expects Dan Campbell to compensate for injuries by using heavy sets, extra O-linemen, and relentless physicality, possibly accompanied by trick plays.
• The Lions’ path to victory likely involves taking deep shots off play-action and heavy play-action schemes to buy time for Goff and reduce exposure.
• Landon (24:03):

  "I wouldn't be surprised if they even further uptick the uses of extra offensive linemen just to try to create more oomph on the edge..."

• Aggressiveness on fourth down noted as part of Campbell’s “reckless gambler" style.

7. Cowboys: Success, Schedule, and Self-Mastery (33:15 – 41:19)

• Cowboys have quietly won three straight.
• Next stretch described as “must-win after must-win.”
• Emphasis on not beating themselves—discipline and avoiding slow starts will be key.
• Landon (34:00):

  "The most important and difficult opponent they have to beat is...to avoid beating themselves."

• The schedule softens after Detroit; this is the last game they’re not favored.
• Playoff odds discussed:
  • Win vs. Detroit => Odds up to 44%
  • Lose but win out => Only 41%
  • Lose to Detroit: Path gets “really hard.”

8. Coaching During a Winning Streak: Philosophy & Pressure (41:47 – 43:45)

• Stretch: Don’t over-coach, let players ride the momentum, avoid overcomplication.
• High stakes acknowledged in the building—everyone knows what’s at stake just by looking at the schedule board.

9. Explosiveness vs. Volatility—Who Can Generate Big Plays Safely? (43:14 – 45:35)

• Cowboys offense can create big plays through its normal operation; Detroit will have to manufacture explosiveness with risky trickery.
  • Potential for “exploding cigar” moments for the Lions if trick plays backfire.
• Landon (44:45):

  "The Cowboys may be able to create turnovers or take advantage of these high-leverage, high-volatility plays that are...potentially blow up in their face."

10. Implications—Win in Detroit Changes Everything (47:36 – 50:23)

• A win would grant extra rest, time to heal, and a substantial morale boost for both locker room and fanbase.
• Victory is “infectious”—compared to a Friday in high school and would “change the entire vibe” in Dallas, reigniting citywide excitement.

11. Should DC Matt Eberflus Return? Assessment of Defensive Growth (53:37 – 63:25)

• Debate: Has Eberflus done enough to deserve another year?
• Improvement is visible since the Williams trade and returns from injury.
• Panel draws a distinction between “good enough to keep” and “the guy to take it to the next level.”
• Landon (54:34):

  "The original question...was, has Matt Eberfluss done enough to come back? I think that is a very different question than asking, is he the guy to take the Cowboys defense to the next level?"

• Defensive scheme, fundamentals, and the timing of the improvement questioned. It’s unclear how much was player-driven or forced from above.
• Panel concludes it’s risky to change DC again unless there’s a clear and available upgrade; improvement has been significant, but early-season coaching failures not forgotten.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "Cowboys had, you know, some struggles early on... the most impressive about this team is that they've shown some resiliency that they just, I don't think they've had in previous years."
  — Marcus Mosher (03:27)

• "This is exactly the kind of game that the Cowboys usually lose... they have answers that they didn't have before."
  — Landon McCool (04:17)

• "Dak was able to have almost a defensive corner mentality...he erased a really bad interception early in the football game to come back and play back at a high level."
  — Glenn Stretch Smith (06:04)

• "Even when things were bad, you've constantly got Dak and Brian [Schottenheimer] going to everybody saying, 'Hey, this game is just started... no one panicked.'"
  — Landon McCool (07:44)

• On Schottenheimer:
  "He wasn't just stepping into the role of the head coach... he was stepping into the role of head coach and play caller."
  — Landon McCool (10:55)

• "They have put themselves in this position."
  — Glenn Stretch Smith (39:39)

• "The difference is, is that the Cowboys can do it in the normal course of the way they run their offense, which is a lot more safe... than to flip the ball back three times, end up at the quarterback, and then throw it to the guy who flipped the ball the first time."
  — Landon McCool (44:45)

• "Zeitgeist. Great SAT word. Good job."
  — Marcus Mosher to Landon McCool, after a locker room analogy (51:48)

• "The improvement is visible, but it's a forgive-not-forget situation regarding early defensive struggles."
  — Landon McCool (57:33)

Segment Timestamps

• Thanksgiving Win Reflection/Resilience: 02:00 – 07:44
• Coaching, Locker Room Culture: 07:44 – 13:48
• Player v. Coach Debate: 13:48 – 16:16
• Injury Deep Dive (Cowboys + Lions): 19:15 – 27:12
• Gameplan/Matchup X's and O's: 23:08 – 29:25
• Playoffs, Schedule, Stakes: 33:15 – 41:19
• Locker Room Mentality/Coaching Approach: 41:47 – 43:45
• Explosive Plays and Risk: 43:14 – 45:35
• Implications of a Win: 47:36 – 50:23
• Defensive Coordinator Debate: 53:37 – 63:25

Final Takeaways

• This episode is a must-listen for context ahead of the Detroit game: It combines blunt analysis, tactical breakdowns, and entertaining personalities.
• The Cowboys’ season is at a turning point—win in Detroit, and the entire shape of playoff hope and team morale shifts.
• Leadership (both from Schottenheimer and Dak), injury management, and adaptability are central themes.
• There’s recognition of improvement, but the panel does not shy away from past coaching and execution critiques.
• The “infectiousness” of a winning locker room (and city) is celebrated, but the panel remains wary of self-inflicted wounds derailing the push.

Next Up:
Look for the Locked On Cowboys Crossover and Postgame recaps, plus more Cowboys Squad Show as the season’s playoff race heats up.