Locked On Cowboys – Cowboys Squad Show: Thanksgiving Showdown vs Chiefs

Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher, Landon McCool, Glenn “Stretch” Smith
Guest Host: Jeff Biggs
Podcast: Locked On Cowboys (Locked On Podcast Network)

Episode Overview

This episode of the Cowboys Squad Show delivers a spirited recap of the Dallas Cowboys’ dramatic 24-21 comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles, while also looking ahead to the high-stakes Thanksgiving showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. The hosts—Marcus Mosher, Landon McCool, and former Cowboys coach Glenn “Stretch” Smith—analyze the team’s performance, key turning points, and areas for improvement, before pivoting to preview the Chiefs matchup, its playoff implications, and what the Cowboys must do to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflecting on the Comeback Win Over Eagles

• Resiliency and Mentality Change (03:52–05:45)
  • Marcus underscores how rare it is for the Cowboys to come back from a large deficit:

    “It’s been a long time since the Cowboys have had a comeback win like that in my lifetime… The Cowboys made every single mistake that you could possibly make in the first 20 minutes... and yet they were able to overcome. That’s just something they haven’t been able to do in the previous 20 years.” (Marcus Moser, 03:52)

  • Landon complements this, highlighting the shift in physicality and execution:

    “When this became like a straight-up street fight… the Cowboys were the more talented of the two teams… dominating at certain parts of the line of scrimmage against some of the Eagles’ best players.” (Landon McCool, 05:45)

• Comprehensive Inventory of Mistakes (07:12–08:08)
  • Marcus lists an exhaustive 1st-half error report, ranging from dropped passes to poor coaching decisions.
  • Stretch and Landon debate the fourth down call at midfield, with Stretch labeling it “reckless silliness” (08:54) and Landon providing context from the analytics perspective.

2. Defensive Turnaround & Game-Changing Moments

• Second-Half Defensive Dominance (14:02–15:32)
  • Eight straight stops; the Eagles didn’t cross the Cowboys’ 40-yard-line after halftime.
  • Marcus stresses the adjustment:

    “They forced Jalen Hurts to have to throw the ball on second and nine and third and eight… they stop the Eagles’ run game and force them into uncomfortable spots.” (Marcus, 14:25)

  • Landon spotlights individual standouts, especially Osa Odighizuwa and the impact of Quinn and Williams:

    “Osa Odighizuwa absolutely was a madman on Sunday… the improvements in different areas of the defense, and obviously the big improvement with Quinn and Williams, have added up.” (Landon, 15:32)

• Play with Attitude (18:11–19:46)
  • Stretch praises the effort:

    “If I can get 22 guys with this attitude right here, then anything is possible… you want those things to be infectious for the rest of your football team.” (Stretch, 18:11)

3. Offensive Challenges: CD Lamb’s Drops & Red Zone Woes

• Receiving Core & Star Power (23:45–26:42)
  • CD Lamb’s drops are discussed candidly (Landon dubs it “lamb drops”), while George Pickens’ talent is praised.
  • Marcus questions Jerry Jones’ future plans but doubts Pickens will leave, citing contract realities.
  • Both hosts question why the red-zone offense is underachieving despite highly drafted linemen and star receivers.
• Running Game as a Solution (25:06–27:34)
  • Landon:

    “They need to commit to being a better red zone running team… If you want to stabilize the scoring.”

  • Marcus and Landon agree the offense sometimes overcomplicates red-zone play calls; calls for simplicity (throwing fades or running behind their top linemen).
  • Stretch again critiques playcalling (“What is the fade ball, about 9%?” 27:34)

4. Dak Prescott’s Record & Offensive Line Updates

• Career Milestone (31:17–33:29)
  • Dak becomes Cowboys’ all-time passing leader—a major, yet under-discussed milestone.
  • Marcus:

    “There’s a chance he makes this record like unbreakable… It’s just so uncommon for a quarterback to play 9-10 years with the same team.” (32:29)

• Injury Updates (33:31–34:40)
  • Tyler Guyton is out; Nate Thomas expected to fill in at left tackle.
  • Hosts are confident in Thomas’ ability, especially given preseason reps.

5. Previewing Cowboys vs Chiefs: Thanksgiving Showdown

• Atmosphere & Stakes (38:38–39:46)
  • This is projected to be the most-watched regular season NFL game ever, with both teams in the playoff hunt.
• Chiefs Analysis & Game Script (40:11–43:53)
  • Kansas City’s offense described as less explosive, more methodical:

    “The Chiefs are not the Chiefs of a couple years ago… Patrick Mahomes is going to go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He just hasn’t played that way this season.” (Marcus, 41:24)

  • Landon points to a key offensive line injury (Trey Smith) for KC and how it could impact the match-up.
  • Both teams need the win badly; for KC, a loss would be “absolutely devastating for their chances.” (Marcus, 45:25)

6. Playoff Odds, Momentum, and Team Trajectory

• What’s at Stake (45:58–47:36)
  • Cowboys’ playoff chances hover at 9%; a win could nearly double that, but a loss would cut it to 4%.
  • Marcus sees the team’s confidence surging:

    “If you beat these two teams… the confidence level of this franchise is going to be through the roof.” (46:47)

  • Landon: the defense is “already better than I ever expected them to be.”
• Long-Term Outlook (49:54–50:32)
  • If the team finishes strong, they’re set up to be division—and possibly league—contenders next year, given their draft assets.

7. “Odds are Made to Be Defied”: Perspective & Leadership

• Team Mindset and the Underdog Role (54:46–56:09)

  • Jeff reflects on the NFL as the “no favorites league.” Landon and Marcus point out the team’s history of overcoming the odds:

    “They had less than a 3% chance to win that Eagles game at one point.” (Landon, 55:46)
    “Thanksgiving weekend 2023... Cowboys had a 4% chance of winning their division—and lo and behold, they did.” (Marcus, 56:01)

• On CD Lamb’s Struggles and Bounce-Back (57:13–58:47)

  • Landon is not worried long-term:

    “I have a hard time getting concerned about drops long term for big-time receivers... I’ve seen CD bounce back from stuff like this before.” (Landon, 57:35)

  • Stretch calls for better “body language” and leadership:

    “He’s got a C on his chest for a reason, I want to see him be THAT guy.” (Stretch, 58:47)

8. Running Game, Offensive Variety, and Turpin’s Role

• Javonte Williams’ Efficiency and Playcalling Nuances (59:30–61:29)

  • Jeff: “Seems like every time (Williams) runs the ball, it’s six, seven, eight yards.”
  • Landon: Wants more RPOs and more creative usage on early downs to maximize Williams’ impact.

• Kevante Turpin: Big Plays and Big Risks (63:03–64:11)

  • Landon: “It works, but you can’t afford to run these plays if he’s going to be so inconsistent with the football.”
  • Marcus: Suggests scaling back Turpin’s usage and integrating Ryan Flournoy and Jonathan Mingo more.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Cowboys’ Resilience:
  “It felt like the Cowboys had maybe even a much better chance than we have given them credit for.”
  — Landon McCool (05:45)

• On Coaching Decisions:
  “What it is, is it’s reckless silliness.”
  — Glenn Stretch Smith (08:54)

• On Defensive Play:

  “If I can get 22 guys with this attitude right here, then anything is possible... those are kind of things you want to be infectious for the rest of your football team.”
  — Glenn Stretch Smith (18:11)

• On Red Zone Offense:
  “They need to commit to being a better red zone running team if you want to stabilize scoring on this team.”
  — Landon McCool (25:06)

• On the Stakes for KC:
  “A loss to the Cowboys would be absolutely devastating for their chances. So I do think it’s more Kansas City.”
  — Marcus Moser (45:25)

• Cowboys Mindset Moving Forward:
  “Odds are made to be defied.”
  — Landon McCool (55:46)

• Perspective on Short-Term Failures:
  “Most of the great ones are able to get themselves out of these slumps. It happens. I trust that CD Lamb will be able to do it.”
  — Marcus Moser (58:50)

Important Timestamps

• Comeback Win Reactions: 03:52–07:12
• List of Early Game Mistakes: 07:12–08:08
• Coaching Decisions Debate: 08:08–11:38
• Defensive Turnaround: 14:02–15:32
• Red Zone Offense Discussion: 25:06–27:34
• Dak’s Passing Record: 31:17–33:29
• KC Game Preview: 40:11–43:53
• Playoff Stakes/Outlook: 45:58–47:36
• CD Lamb’s Drops & Leadership: 57:13–58:47
• Kevante Turpin Usage: 63:03–64:11

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

• Preparation for Chiefs: The consensus is that Dallas must play a complete, disciplined game in all three phases to beat KC on Thanksgiving. The defense is improving, but must remain stout against a Chiefs team that controls tempo.
• Leadership & Confidence: The team’s “underdog” role may suit them as they close out the season. The coaching staff and players are aware of the stakes and areas for improvement, especially in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
• Long-Term View: Even if playoffs don't materialize this year, strong finishes and smart draft picks could set the Cowboys as NFC contenders in 2026.

"If this defense could just be middle of the road... now we're talking about a defense that has Quinn and Williams, and [they're] playing... like a top five defense."
— Landon McCool (47:36)

“I just believe that this team, it’s in front of them right here. I want to see them continue to ride the wave… and see if you can turn this into something.”
— Glenn Stretch Smith (64:32)

For more deep dives and Cowboys analysis, listen to Locked On Cowboys daily. Happy Thanksgiving from the Cowboys Squad!