Locked On Cowboys: “Dallas Cowboys DEFENSE Unleashes New Scheme | New Stars SHINE vs. Raiders!”

Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

This dynamic episode delivers an enthusiastic review of the Dallas Cowboys’ Monday Night Football victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, with a deep dive into the team’s new-look defense—including strategic shifts, breakout performances, and the ripple effect of recent roster moves. The hosts also analyze standout contributions from new and young players, assess the offensive line rebound, and look ahead to upcoming matchups.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. The Cowboys’ Defensive Transformation

(Start – 06:07)

• New Defensive Identity & Confidence

  • Hosts note an evident shift in both scheme and attitude from previous weeks, emphasizing aggression and trust in revamped personnel.
  • Marcus Mosher:

    “You could tell that the defensive game caller had more confidence in the players that were being deployed…There was a lot more key timed blitzes, a lot more trusting the guys to line up in the face of their receivers.” (02:23)

  • Landon McCool:

    "It just looked so much more aggressive rather than being passive like they were the first two months." (03:32)

• Impact of Key Acquisitions

  • Singling out the “force multiplier” effect of Quinnen Williams, who’s elevating the play of others, notably Osa Odighizuwa, who recorded a career-high eight pressures.
  • Landon:

    "The hope is that you have this awesome player in Quinnen Williams, and he can bring up Osa Odighizuwa as well." (03:32)

• Improved Rotations—Mitigating Weaknesses

  • Addition of depth has allowed the team to reduce snap counts for inconsistent players (e.g., Kenneth Murray, Sam Williams) and limit risk.
  • Marcus:

    “It’s not only just the improved talent that you’ve got—it’s the fact that those improved talents are keeping the kind of, you know, common perpetrators…to 10–15 snaps, which in some cases solved a lot of ills.” (04:29)

2. Defensive Line & Snap Distribution

(06:07 – 10:48)

• James Houston Emerges

  • Drastic increase in Houston’s snaps post-bye week positions him as a mainstay over veterans like Dante Fowler and Sam Williams.
  • Landon:

    “James Houston was basically a full time starter…Your top three defensive ends…are Donovan Eziraku, Jadeveon Clowney, and James Houston, and the other guys are just gonna rotate in.” (06:07)

• Strategic Snap Management

  • Cautious rotation due to upcoming schedule intensity (four games in 18 days); Houston prioritized in pass-rush situations.
  • Marcus:

    “They’re trying to get him on [the field], trying to get him rushing the passer to take advantage of that.” (07:06)

• Three Defensive Tackle Looks

  • More three-DT sets featuring Williams, Odighizuwa, and Kenny Clark; Osa even playing some 5-tech/DE.
  • Landon:

    “Seems like Matt Eberflus is opening up this defense and we’re going to see more three defensive tackle looks.” (07:58)
    “Maybe it’s just going to be matchup dependent…maybe we see more of those three defensive tackle looks because guys like Solomon Thomas and Osa Odighizuwa…can play on the edge.” (10:05)

3. The New Cornerbacks: Carson & Ravel Step Up

(12:06 – 19:17)

• Massive Cornerback Shuffle

  • Kaylin Carson plays every defensive snap on the outside; Savon Ravel gets 19 snaps. Kyrie Elam and Stewart Bridges don’t see the field.
  • Marcus:

    “What Kaylin Carson did…was the most impressive feat…after playing only 15–20 snaps the week before, to 60 snaps, being the full-time starter and playing absolutely fine." (13:31) “He had a pass breakup in the end zone... He was where he was supposed to be… He’s just playing with a level of confidence we haven’t seen since his rookie season.” (13:31-14:43)

• Ravel’s NFL Growth Curve

  • Ravel looked jittery early, then settled in, showing physicality and comfort in coverage; could see increased role vs. Philly.
  • Marcus:

    "He looks comfortable… It’s just a matter of getting him used to the speed of the NFL.” (14:43)

• Elam’s Reduced Role

  • No surprise given new priorities for 2026 and substantial Elam tape, which pegs him as a reserve-caliber player.
  • Landon:

    “Everything the Cowboys are doing is with an eye toward 2026…Elam has had plenty of opportunities to show whether he’s going to be the guy. We kind of just know what he is at this point, and it’s a below average starting cornerback.” (16:03)

4. Safety Upgrades & Overall Secondary Stability

(19:17 – 21:20)

• Hooks & Wilson Return—Immediate Difference

  • Reinstated starters brought competence and decisiveness over the “bottom-of-roster” fill-ins.
  • Landon:

    “The back end was just so much more sound. You didn’t have big coverage breaks. You had guys that were driving on the football making plays.” (19:17)

  • Marcus, on Malik Hooker:

    “It just brings a level of competency in the back end… There’s a grown up back there.” (20:14–20:39)

• Big Picture on Safety Value

  • Landon:

    “[Getting] an above average safety when you’ve had awful safety play all year can really solve a lot of issues." (19:17)

5. Offensive Line Improvement: Spotlight on Tyler Guyton

(23:04 – 25:50)

• Tyler Guyton’s Best Game Yet

  • Health finally returns; hosts see major leap in comfort and execution.
  • Marcus:

    “Finally just healthy, probably feeling good after the first time in a long time…He’s doing all the little stuff you need to win the ball game.” (23:23)

  • Landon, referencing pass protection stats:

    “Three QB hits allowed since week five…He still has his flaws, but you’re starting to see him turn the corner as a pass blocker.” (24:58)

• Running Game Boost

  • Brevyn Spann-Ford identified as a "monster" run blocker; outperforms Luke Schoonmaker, whom the hosts feel should be supplanted.
  • Landon:

    “Brevin Spann-Ford continues to be a monster as a run blocker. I wish Dallas would just lean into Brevin Spann-Ford more." (25:50)

6. Miscellaneous Roster & Play Notes

(25:50 – End)

• Receiver Usage

  • Hosts have cooled on Kavontae Turpin’s receiving role; suggest phasing him out in favor of others like Flournoy.
  • Landon:

    “It just feels like [Turpin] hasn’t developed the way that we were hoping…just give all those snaps like the true receiving snaps to Flournoy, keep Turpin in his role as a jet sweep guy and just move on.” (26:30–27:10)

• Technical / Scheme Observations

  • Marcus’ pet peeve: offensive linemen not punishing defenders who jump to bat down passes.
  • Tyler Smith’s utility highlighted as a puller and edge protector:

    “The way they’ve used him specifically as a puller and kick out blocker…continues to work. What a great key advantage for the Cowboys.” (27:26–28:34)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Defensive Aggression:
  Landon: "It just looked so much more aggressive rather than being passive like they were the first two months of the season." (03:32)

• On Quinnen Williams’ Impact:
  Landon: "You felt like he could be a force multiplier for this team..." (03:32)

• On Kaylin Carson’s Breakout:
  Marcus: “What Kaylin Carson did on Monday night was the most impressive feat of all the guys... except for Quinnen Williams.” (13:31)

• On Safety Play:
  Landon: "It just goes to show how big the difference in the NFL can be from an average starter to some of the bottom of the roster guys and guys that you pick up off the practice squad." (19:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cowboys Defensive Attitude & Scheme Shift: 02:23–06:07
• Defensive Line Rotations & Snap Count Trends: 06:07–10:48
• Cornerback Rotation & Young Player Analysis: 12:06–19:17
• Safety Discussion & Coverage Stability: 19:17–21:20
• Offensive Line / Tyler Guyton Progress: 23:04–25:50
• Tight End / Blocking & Receiver Usage: 25:50–27:10
• Technical Notes & Tyler Smith Praise: 27:26–28:34

Conclusion

The Dallas Cowboys’ defense is experiencing a visible and deliberate transformation—strategic aggression, smart rotations, and new personnel have injected fresh energy and production on all levels. Standout performances from new stars like Quinnen Williams, Kaylin Carson, James Houston, and steadying presences from returning veterans, are shifting both the ceiling and the consistency of the team. On offense, the line is showing encouraging (and overdue) signs of returning to form, with particular optimism for Tyler Guyton and Brevyn Spann-Ford.

The tone is optimistic but measured—the real test looms with a challenging, condensed schedule ahead and tougher opponents on the horizon.