Locked On Cowboys Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Dallas Cowboys Set To UNLEASH New-Look Defense Against Raiders on Monday Night Football!
Date: November 17, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

This episode of Locked On Cowboys delivers a detailed preview of the Cowboys’ Week 11 Monday Night Football matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool break down what to expect from the newly constructed Dallas defense—with the much-anticipated debuts and returns of several key players—as well as analyze the shaky Cowboys offense following a much-needed bye week. They provide matchup analysis, discuss both teams’ vulnerabilities, and close with predictions for the game.

The tone throughout is honest and analytical, with both hosts sharing optimism about Dallas’ defensive potential while candidly acknowledging lingering questions about the offense and the psychological state of the team after a rough couple of weeks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys’ “New-Look” Defense: Personnel and Scheme Upgrades

• Four New Defensive Contributors:
  Quinn and Williams, Logan Wilson, DeMarvion Overshown, and Savon Revelle are set to bolster the lineup. This influx is expected to fundamentally change both personnel and defensive scheme.
  • Landon McCool (02:55): “It's potentially going to…have a completely new look…You've added a third defensive tackle into the mix…Not just different in personnel but also in scheme.”
• Potential for More 5-Man Fronts:
  Dallas could unveil more 5-man fronts or hybrid three-defensive-tackle looks, leveraging new depth on the line.
• Matchup Advantage Over Weak Raiders O-Line:
  Both hosts emphasize that the Raiders’ offensive line is depleted and arguably the weakest Dallas has faced all year.
  • Marcus Mosher (05:27): “They don’t have an offensive lineman on their team right now who would be active on game days for Dallas. That’s how bad their offensive line situation is.”

Notable Quotes

• Landon McCool (04:14): “This is one of the few games this season where…you feel like the Cowboys defensive line comes in with a really big advantage.”
• Marcus Mosher (06:19): “This is a game where the Cowboys have to win.”

Key Segment Timestamps

• [01:36] — Setting up the defense-centric episode
• [02:55] — New defensive personnel expected to debut
• [03:33]-[05:27] — Raiders’ O-line struggles and matchup analysis

2. Raiders’ Offensive Struggles - A Prime Opportunity for Dallas

• Raiders’ Offensive Malaise:
  The Raiders are near the bottom of the league in several offensive categories. Injuries and a lack of OL continuity have stunted both the run and pass attack.
  • Landon McCool (04:14): “They have the second worst yards per carry as a team…by far the worst in…yards before contact.”
• Key Raider Weapons & Concerns:
  • Geno Smith (QB): Banged up, status questionable.
  • Ashton Genti (RB): Explosive after contact but hampered by O-line issues.
  • Brock Bowers (TE): Dangerous after the catch, but limited by offensive meltdowns.
  • Trey Tucker/Tyler Lockett (WRs): Small, quick potential threats downfield—hosts worried about deep shots exposing newly healthy Dallas safeties.
    • Marcus Mosher (07:04): “Honestly that makes me a little nervous because it’s those guys that have the speed with the Cowboys safeties.”

3. Cowboys Defensive Gameplan & Tackling Philosophy

• Focused on Limiting Yards After Contact:
  Dallas will need to rally to the ball and avoid high tackling against Genti.
  • Marcus Mosher (09:59): “He's one of the best tackle breakers that we've seen... you got to rally to the football... That’s more of an effort thing than a talent thing.”
• Importance of Healthy Safeties:
  Return of Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson provides much-needed stability at the back.
  • Landon McCool (10:41): “That's one specific area where I am actually grateful to have a guy like Donovan Wilson back... he can come down from the third level as that last wave to finish Genti off.”

Key Segment Timestamps

• [06:19]-[11:01] — Raiders’ skill threats, safety health, tackling approach

4. Cowboys’ Offensive Questions

Recent Offensive Struggles

• Cowboys’ offense has been mediocre in the last two games (Denver and Arizona losses), with concerns about line protection and playmaking.
• Marcus Mosher (12:59): “Their performance against the Cardinals was probably worse [than Denver].”
• Bye week provided rest and a chance to reset, especially for CeeDee Lamb (ankle injury).

Raiders’ Defensive Profile

• Not a great unit; average in most categories.
• Unique LB corps (Jamal Adams at WLB, Devin White, Elandon Roberts) and athletic, oversized secondary.
  • Marcus Mosher (14:39): “It’s just a really weird defense and they want to be attacking, they want to come downhill.”

Right Tackle Battle & Maxx Crosby Problem

• Open competition between Terence Steele and Nate Thomas. Both are likely to struggle one-on-one against Maxx Crosby.
• The need for extra TE help and creative play design to slow Crosby is crucial.
• Landon McCool (17:10): “No matter who the right tackle is, you need to have a play plan for Max Crosby that doesn't necessarily include a bunch of one on one blocking.”

Keys to Offensive Success

• Staying balanced, getting into manageable down-and-distances, controlling the game script.
• Ran into trouble when forced off-schedule in previous losses.
• Jake Ferguson (TE) must rebound from two poor outings for Cowboys to reach elite status, as opportunities will exist against Raiders’ linebackers.
  • Marcus Mosher (21:07): “Jake Ferguson's been downright bad the last two weeks…He’s got to have a good game if the Cowboys want to get back to being an elite offense.”

Key Segment Timestamps

• [12:59]-[15:29] — Recap of offensive woes; Raiders’ defensive personnel
• [16:21]-[19:04] — Crosby matchup and OL depth
• [19:54]-[21:38] — Game script importance; Jake Ferguson’s needed rebound

5. Predictions & Big Picture Thoughts

Uncertainty & Emotional Factor

• Hosts express lack of confidence in predicting the outcome given the Cowboys’ recent tragedies (Marshawn Nealon situation), influx of new starters, and disjointed offensive chemistry despite the post-bye reset.
  • Landon McCool (26:23): “To me, this is the most kind of unknown it feels about the Cowboys since at least the first week of the season.”
  • Marcus Mosher (25:11): “There's part of me that just doesn't know what the energy and the vibe is going to be like for Dallas.”

Game Picks

• Landon McCool: Picks Cowboys to win 27-21, controlling most of the game but winning with a late score.
• Marcus Mosher: “I think it's going to be a really ugly, sloppy game that kind of gets decided in the last six minutes, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's like a 24, 22 type of game... I'll pick the Cowboys, but I don't feel great.”
• Both hosts highlight that with four games in 18 days and a brutal schedule ahead, this is the most “winnable” contest left.

Playoff Picture Realism

• Disappointing Sunday results elsewhere in NFC mean Dallas likely must win the division to make playoffs; wild card seems out of reach.

Key Segment Timestamps

• [23:29]-[29:21] — Predictions, emotional analysis, playoff implications

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marcus Mosher (05:27): “They don’t have an offensive lineman on their team right now who would be active on game days for Dallas. That’s how bad their offensive line situation is.”
• Landon McCool (04:14): “This is one of the few games this season where…you feel like the Cowboys defensive line comes in with a really big advantage.”
• Marcus Mosher (09:59): “The way to mitigate that is to rally to the football, try to tackle low, don't try to tackle him high. And that's, to me, honestly, that's more of an effort thing than a talent thing.”
• Marcus Mosher (25:54): “I think it's going to be a really ugly, sloppy game that kind of gets decided in the last six minutes, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's like a 24, 22 type of game.”
• Landon McCool (26:23): “To me, this is the most kind of unknown it feels about the Cowboys since at least the first week of the season.”

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• [01:36] — Show intro, overview, and sponsors
• [02:55] — Defensive personnel/schematic preview
• [03:33]-[06:19] — Raiders’ O-line analysis, matchups
• [07:04]-[11:01] — Raiders’ skill threats and Dallas defensive approach
• [12:59]-[15:29] — Cowboys’ offense, Raiders’ unique nickel/LB defense
• [16:21]-[19:04] — Right tackle dilemma, Maxx Crosby, offensive line play
• [19:54]-[21:38] — Importance of fast start, game script, Jake Ferguson
• [23:29]-[29:21] — Predictions, playoff landscape, emotional context

Summary Takeaways

• The Cowboys enter Monday Night Football with a brand-new defensive look, more talent, and a clear matchup edge over the Raiders' battered offensive line.
• The offense remains a concern; pass protection must be improved, and TE Jake Ferguson must bounce back.
• Big emotional questions hang over the team after a tumultuous two weeks—making the game’s energy and consistency hard to predict.
• Both hosts pick Dallas to win, but neither is confident in a blowout; they see the game as an ugly, hard-fought affair.
• With the playoff window rapidly narrowing, this is a must-win if the Cowboys hope to stay relevant.
• On paper, Dallas has the horses—now it comes down to execution and mental toughness in Vegas on Monday night.