Podcast Summary: Locked On Cowboys – CRUNCH TIME: Cowboys, Lions CLASH in Playoff Chase – Who Will Win BIG Rematch in Week 14?

Episode Date: December 4, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher (Locked On Cowboys), Matt Derry (Locked On Lions)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Locked On Cowboys" is a special "Crossover Thursday" in collaboration with "Locked On Lions," focusing on the massive Week 14 showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions. Both teams are fighting to keep playoff hopes alive in what the hosts frame as a near-elimination game. Marcus Mosher and Matt Derry break down the state of both franchises, key matchups and player injuries, potential game scripts, and offer predictions for Thursday Night Football in Detroit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of the Teams & Season Context

• Dallas Cowboys:

  • After a rocky start to the season (at one point 1-3), the Cowboys have turned things around and are playing meaningful December football.
  • Not yet fully "back," but trending up with improved defense and key players returning from injury.
  • "It's not quite a playoff game, but it's pretty darn close." (Marcus, 02:32)

• Detroit Lions:

  • Lions have regressed from their sharp, disciplined play of previous seasons due to injuries and penalties.
  • "They just aren't sharp, they're not crisp. They're making mistakes, whether it's penalties, been a lot of injuries..." (Matt, 04:27)
  • Despite issues, Lions have been resilient and haven't lost two games in a row in three years.

2. Defensive and Offensive Trends

• Cowboys' Defensive Improvements:

  • Additions of Quinnen Williams to the D-line and improved health in the secondary have been game-changing.
  • Innovative use of 5-man fronts with Clark, Osa Odighizuwa, and Williams has plugged run defense holes and generated more pressure.
  • Rookie Donovan Azaraku is PFF's top-graded rookie, excelling in run defense and pressure despite modest sack numbers.

• Lions' Struggles with Injuries:

  • Major holes in offensive line and secondary due to injuries (Terry Arnold out for the year, Kirby Joseph’s status uncertain).
  • Backups, like Amik Robertson, have filled in admirably but can't fully compensate for the missing talent.
  • Getting to the quarterback has been a consistent issue; pass rush production way down.

3. Matchups to Watch

• Aidan Hutchinson vs. Cowboys’ Tackles

  • Hutchinson excels against backup tackles.
  • Dallas’ Nate Thomas is the backup, expected to get help via chips and sliding protection, but "they can't let [Hutchinson] wreck the game." (Marcus, 14:03)

• Jameer Gibbs vs. Cowboys’ Linebackers

  • Marcus identifies this as Detroit’s biggest offensive advantage: "If you can get Gibbs out in space either as a receiver, as a runner ... I think the Lions could have a big day on offense." (15:00)
  • Cowboys’ linebackers are slow or overaggressive, making them susceptible in space.

• Cowboys Receivers vs. Lions Secondary

  • Dallas expects to exploit Detroit’s depleted defensive backfield, especially with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens alternating big games.
  • "They think that CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens can dominate this matchup. ... I wouldn't be surprised in this game if you see more of these slow gos ... to try to take advantage of Detroit's aggressiveness in the secondary." (Marcus, 17:28)

4. Game Script & Predictions

• Importance of Fast Starts

  • Both hosts stress that each team has struggled when falling behind early. The first ten minutes will be pivotal.
  • "If the Cowboys get down 7-nothing, 14-nothing, it could really turn. But if you can kind of survive that initial onslaught, I think you're going to be okay." (Marcus, 27:34)

• Lions’ Offensive Game Plan Complications

  • Sam LaPorta (TE) and possibly Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR) likely out, leaving Jared Goff reliant on practice squad and backup tight ends.
  • Detroit may shift to more misdirection and running backs in the passing game, but confidence is low in backup tight ends.

• Coaching Angles & X-Factors

  • Matt Eberflus (former Bears coach, now Cowboys DC) faces the Lions at Ford Field for the first time since his infamous firing.
  • Both hosts debate if Eberflus’s divisional familiarity gives Dallas an edge.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the High-Stakes Nature of the Game:
  • "It's not quite a playoff game, but it's pretty darn close. It's a lot of fun." (Marcus, 02:32)
• On the Lions’ Resilience:
  • "They haven't lost two in a row in three years and win a football game they must have. ... I'm scratching my head like you probably are." (Matt, 04:27)
• On the Cowboys' Defensive Revamp:
  • "Surprising that good players make your defense better, right?" (Marcus, 03:20)
• On Attacking the Lions’ Secondary:
  • "Once [OC Brian Schottenheimer] finds a weak spot in your secondary, he's just going to spam it over and over and over again until you either take that guy off the field or figure out a way to hide him." (Marcus, 19:56)
• On What’s Different About Dallas:
  • "There's something that feels very different about this team ... There's a certain toughness about this Cowboys team that they have now." (Marcus, 20:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Main Topic / Stakes of the Game:
  • 01:45–02:32 — Overview of playoff implications & team momentum
• Cowboys’ Defensive Improvements:
  • 03:07–04:27 — D-line, rookies, and returning players
• Lions’ Struggles and Home Woes:
  • 04:27–05:51 — Offense, defense, and mental state
• Critical Injuries for Both Teams:
  • 05:51–06:30 — Lions' O-line and secondary depth
• Matchup Breakdown: Hutchinson vs. Cowboys’ Tackles:
  • 13:22–14:55
• Matchup Breakdown: Jameer Gibbs in Space:
  • 14:59–16:02
• Cowboys' Passing Attack vs. Lions' DBs:
  • 17:28–18:38
• Game Flow & Importance of Fast Start:
  • 10:11–10:52 and 27:34–28:17
• Predictions:
  • 30:25–31:35

Game Keys Discussed

For the Cowboys:

• Must win with offense; protect Dak Prescott at all costs ("31 points needs to be the target." – Marcus, 25:00)
• Scheme up protections vs. Aidan Hutchinson and aggressive Lions blitzes
• Attack the weakest/least healthy Lions DB relentlessly

For the Lions:

• Start fast to get crowd energy up and avoid another “clunker” home performance
• Scheme Jameer Gibbs into space vs. slow/faulty LB corps
• Piece together enough pass rush to disrupt Dak Prescott: "Four sacks in the last four games and that’s not enough." (Matt, 26:35)
• Protect Jared Goff from Cowboys D-line collapse up the middle

Final Predictions

Both hosts foresee a shootout.

• Marcus Mosher:
  • "I think the Lions do win this game. I think it’s like a 34–31 type game, both teams going up and down the field." (30:32)
• Matt Derry:
  • "That’s what I was going to say ... Someone’s going to have to make a play on defense, some sort of takeaway to give a short field." (31:03)

Tone & Atmosphere

• Conversational, informed, and slightly anxious; both hosts are passionate about their teams and aware of the high stakes.
• Mixes humor ("I suck, man. I didn't even realize..." – Matt, 29:40) and candor about team struggles.
• Strong respect for opponents and acknowledgment of each team's vulnerabilities.

Summary:
A compelling and in-depth breakdown of two desperate playoff hopefuls set for a critical Thursday Night Football faceoff, this episode highlights the stakes, key mismatches, injury pitfalls, and strategic chess match likely to decide Cowboys-Lions. Both hosts agree: expect offense, drama, and, in classic Lions and Cowboys fashion, the unexpected.