Locked On Cowboys – Episode Summary

Episode: High-Powered Cowboys Offense PRIMED to EXPLODE In Week 2 | Can Defense Hold Up?
Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool
Podcast Network: Locked On Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode of Locked On Cowboys previews the Week 2 NFC East matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. Hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool dive deep into the strengths, weaknesses, matchups, and key questions for the Cowboys, including whether the offense can put up 30 points and if the defense—minus key starters—can hold up against the Giants led by Russell Wilson and Malik Nabers. They give detailed analysis on both sides of the ball, highlight strategic adjustments, and end with score predictions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys Offense: Expectations & Matchups

— Can Dallas Hit 30 Points?

• Marcus sets the tone: "The Cowboys will need to score 24 or more points to beat the Giants. Will they do it? My question to you is, can they score 30?" (01:19)
• Landon emphasizes the need for Dallas to find its identity as an elite offense:

  "It's like they're racing against themselves...you need to be able to score 30 points on a team like the Giants if you're going to feel good about where this team is going." (02:47)

— Advantages against the Giants' Defense

• Giants lost LB Micah McFadden. Their secondary is better but still a liability. They’ve improved with Javon Holland and Paulson Adebo, but Marcus claims:

  "This should be a unit that they're able to torch...Dak Prescott has had a lot of success against [these corners]." (03:50)

• The Giants’ defensive line is highly talented and focused on pass rush, presenting a significant test for Dallas' young tackles.

— Strategies for Dallas' Run Game

• Marcus: Washington ran for 220 yards vs. this Giants defense. "Can the Cowboys have the same success?" (05:43)
• Landon’s analysis:

  "You have to find a way to incorporate a run game that isn't running directly at [Dexter Lawrence]...I think you can do that because the Giants have leaned so heavily into pass-rushing defensive ends...if you wanted to find a way to run some power at them...and you do that a couple different times, and it's going to start wearing on them." (06:41)

• Both expect more “outside zone” and edge runs after seeing Washington's two-TE formations succeed.

— Tactical Adjustments: 12 & 13 Personnel

• Landon predicts heavier sets (12/13 personnel) for Dallas to exploit New York's weak linebacker group, especially after McFadden’s injury:

  "I wouldn't be shocked to see a bunch of 12 and 13 personnel out there this week...you feel like you have the advantage even with two wide receivers out there." (09:12)

— Pass Game Targets

• Jake Ferguson could see a big game over the middle with weakened NYG linebackers (10:19).
• Marcus expects the offensive scheme to keep the Giants’ best DB, Andrew Phillips, off the field, leading to favorable matchups for CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.

2. Cowboys Defense: Holding the Line without Key Starters

— Injuries and Depth Concerns

• No DaRon Bland (CB) and no Micah Parsons (EDGE/LB) this week.
• Marcus outlines the Giants’ offensive line woes, especially if LT Andrew Thomas is out:

  "If Thomas doesn't play, that means James Hudson is going to be at left tackle. That was very rough last week...Jermaine Eluemunor...shouldn’t be your best offensive lineman." (16:09)

— Key Defensive Strategies

• Landon is skeptical about the Giants’ offensive talent:

  "This is not a great unit, man...They didn't trade away neighbors. Even with neighbors, this is a rough group. So I think...the Cowboys should be able to play their game and handle it." (13:58)

• Expect less blitzing and more zone coverage; emphasis on preventing big plays from rookie WR Malik Nabers.
• Strong safety play (Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker) will be crucial to avoid deep TDs.

  "They had fantastic games against the Eagles… They need to have big games to make sure they’re keeping a blanket a top on everything, especially with a guy like Malik Nabers." (20:02)

• Possible heavy usage of S Wanya Thomas in slot—“not the best coverage guy but your best tackler,” which is what might matter against NY. (18:39)

3. Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On the Evolution of Dallas’ Identity:

  "This is a question that the offense kind of needs to look at itself in the mirror and prove to itself, you know, starting this Sunday against the Giants." — Landon (02:47)

• On the Giants’ Defensive Philosophy:

  "They've leaned forward onto the edges...They've got a collection of first-rounders and high-end talent that they're going to try to throw at the Cowboys' young tackles..." — Landon (04:31)

• How Dallas Can Counter Giants Edge Rushers:

  "The Giants have leaned so heavily into pass rushing defensive ends...run some power at them...and you do that a couple different times, and it's going to start wearing on them." — Landon (06:41)

• On Dak and CeeDee’s Importance:

  "When you have Dak and CeeDee together, I think those two just give you a scoring floor that most teams don't have." — Marcus (24:54)

• Potential Game-Decider:

  "I am worried about Malik Nabers because my fear is that the Cowboys play really good, sound, fundamental defense and it's just two big Malik Nabers plays down the field ... and that's how you lose a game like this." — Marcus (19:41)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [01:19] – Can Dallas score 30+ points?
• [03:50] – Giants’ defensive strengths and weaknesses
• [05:43] - [08:17] – Run game breakdown and possible strategies
• [09:12] – Personnel groupings and tactics to exploit NYG
• [10:19] – Jake Ferguson’s expected role
• [13:58] - [14:49] – Giants offensive talent & key approach for Dallas defense
• [16:09] – Offensive line mismatches and how Dallas could exploit them
• [18:39] – Using Wanya Thomas in the slot for run support
• [19:41] - [20:24] – Emphasis on containing Malik Nabers: critical role for Cowboys’ safeties
• [22:35] - [26:09] – Score predictions and rationale
• [26:40] – Impact of NFL kickoff rule changes: favorable for Cowboys’ field position

Score Predictions

Landon McCool:

• Picks Cowboys to win, citing Dak's historic success ("Dak Prescott has won 13 straight against the Giants." — 22:35)
• Predicts Dallas pulls away late:

  "I'm picking the Cowboys to win 35-24. I just think that the areas where the Giants have the advantage, the Cowboys can neutralize." (24:33, 24:54)

Marcus Mosher:

• Sees a lower-scoring, grind-it-out affair, but still a Cowboys victory:

  "I'm gonna go 24-21 in a very, very close game." (25:55)

Final Thoughts & Analysis

• Both hosts view the Cowboys’ offense as primed to respond after a narrow Week 1 loss and to take advantage of the Giants’ vulnerabilities, especially at linebacker and in parts of the secondary.
• Defensively, Dallas is confident in their ability to keep the Giants limited—provided they contain splash plays from the likes of Malik Nabers and minimize turnovers and penalties.
• The rule changes on kickoffs and strong special teams play are expected to boost Dallas’ field position, further helping their offensive prospects.

TL;DR

The hosts expect Dallas to control the game—on offense by exploiting New York’s weaknesses, especially via heavier personnel and edge runs, and on defense by staying fundamentally sound and preventing explosive plays. The game should test Dallas’ ability to operate as a high-powered offense and offer clarity on the defense’s depth after key injuries. Both picks go for a Dallas win, with Landon seeing more fireworks and Marcus expecting a closer contest.

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