Locked On Cowboys Podcast Summary

Episode Title: SLOW STARTS: Brian Schottenheimer MUST Improve Early In Games For Cowboys To Make Postseason Run!
Airdate: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the Dallas Cowboys’ recurring problem of slow offensive starts under head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Marcus and Landon dive into fan questions, examining how the offense can find early-game rhythm, the challenges of coaching, and postseason implications. They also provide updates on the offensive line—focusing on Cooper BB and Tyler Smith—and close with detailed playoff scenario breakdowns as the Cowboys chase a postseason berth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brian Schottenheimer’s Growth & Early-Game Struggles

Starts at 01:45

• Marcus raises a listener's question about what Schottenheimer must do to “take the next step” as a coach, citing adversity: “He's had to deal with a lot of adversity between every player on the offensive line missing at least one start. CD Lamb has now missed multiple games. They traded Micah Parsons four days before the season.” (02:20)
• Landon: Avoids the “game management” cliché and focuses on in-game awareness—particularly knowing when to adjust offensive aggression in relation to defensive struggles.

  "He seemingly has such a great understanding of his team... But I do think the area of maybe knowing your team better... when the defense is... underwater, he needs to know to be more aggressive on offense." (03:13)

• Marcus builds on this, stating that preparation shows in how well teams start games, and lays out a pattern of the Cowboys falling behind early—citing specific games (Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, Packers, Bears).

  “The Cowboys, this year, they have the third highest scoring offense in the NFL at 29 points per game. But... in the first quarter... 3.8 points. That’s 23rd in the NFL. They’re too good of an offense to start out this slow.” (05:55)

2. Diagnosing Slow Starts—Offensive Scripting & Predictability

Starts at 05:07

• Landon agrees; points out the contradiction between their strong overall offensive ranking and poor first-quarter production. He wonders if it’s a game scripting issue or a hangover from previous coaching regimes.

  “It's sort of an indictment that this team is so highly ranked in offense... but they just can't seem to get things started going in the first quarter... not having a great opening game script.” (06:30)

• Marcus plays out the script: play-action rollouts or up-the-middle runs, repeated every week, leading to third-and-long situations.

  “They're also very predictable early in these games... offense doesn't pick up until they get behind by a score. Then they start to play with a little bit of pace, and that's when this offense really starts to get going.” (09:31)

• Landon credits early season run game success as a way they stayed balanced, but laments recent inefficiency, leading to pressure on Dak Prescott in tough down-and-distance spots.

  “...they have an incomplete pass on first down or they run the ball with no gain. Now they're in second and 10, which is a very difficult down and distance... Cowboys are constantly getting themselves into third downs that are putting more pressure on Dak to kind of have to be superhuman.” (10:17)

3. Coaching Experience & Growing Pains

Starts at 11:27

• Both hosts acknowledge that Schottenheimer and his staff (including first-year OC Clayton Adams) are still learning—growing pains are expected, but improvement is needed fast as the playoff race tightens.

4. Offensive Line Focus: Cooper BB & Tyler Smith

Starts at 13:54

Cooper BB:

• Landon: BB’s physicality and size still make him an upgrade over Brock Hoffman, but his second-year progress was slowed by a high ankle sprain.

  “I think he's still an upgrade... [but] he kinda leveled off a little bit after the high ankle sprain… He’s been better than he was as a rookie. I think he's been way more consistent now.” (14:45–15:29)

• Marcus agrees—BB has improved consistency, the “floor has been raised,” but forging chemistry and mastering center duties takes time, especially after transitioning from tackle/guard.

  “...it's a heady position. Like he's bringing a level of physicality... but he still has to learn the cerebral part... so it may take him just a little bit longer.” (17:53)

Tyler Smith:

• Marcus brings up fan anxiety over Smith, given injuries (notably knee tendonitis) and inconsistent play after his outstanding 2023 season.
• Landon: Not worried long-term; attributes recent struggles to injuries and high-quality opponents. Believes the investment still makes sense.

  “I still have faith in Tyler Smith and I still think he's gonna get back to that all pro level as a guard.” (20:48)

• Both reference the importance of continuity, noting a revolving-door O-line due to injuries has hampered both Smith and BB.

5. Playoff Scenario Breakdown

Starts at 23:26

• Marcus calls the playoff outlook “pretty bleak,” but lays out specific, plausible paths:

  • NFC East: Must win all four remaining games AND Eagles need two losses for Cowboys to win the division; if Eagles lose three, Dallas can go 3–1.
  • Wild Card: Lose less control, but Bears and Lions have brutal schedules. If Chicago collapses, Dallas’ odds spike, especially if they win out.

  “...assuming Chicago lose to, like, loses to Green Bay in Week 17, that the Cowboys can get it. So I know the wild card feels really bleak right now, but Chicago and Detroit having really tough schedules the rest of the way does help out.” (28:43)

• Landon adds that teams often collapse in December, referencing previous Cowboys teams. NFC North “cannibalization” could open the wild card door.

6. Cowboys Fans’ Outlook

Starts at 28:50

• Marcus encourages fans, noting that despite a midseason slump, the Cowboys still play meaningful December football. They have a real shot if they “take care of business.”

  “We're going into mid December here on Sunday Night Football and the Cowboys have a meaningful game... This is a big game for the Cowboys. They take care of business. They survive going into week 16 and weird things happen every single year. So we'll, we'll see how it plays out.” (28:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marcus: “The Cowboys, this year, they have the third highest scoring offense... But... in the first quarter... 3.8 points. That’s 23rd in the NFL. They’re too good of an offense to start out this slow.” (05:55)
• Landon: “He [Schottenheimer] seemingly has such a great understanding of his team... when the defense is... underwater, he needs to know to be more aggressive on offense.” (03:13)
• Marcus: “They're also very predictable early in these games... offense doesn't pick up until they get behind by a score.” (09:31)
• Marcus: “It's a heady position... he still has to learn the cerebral part... so it may take him just a little bit longer.” (17:53)
• Landon: “I still have faith in Tyler Smith and I still think he's gonna get back to that all pro level as a guard.” (20:48)
• Marcus: “We're going into mid December here on Sunday Night Football and the Cowboys have a meaningful game... This is a big game for the Cowboys.” (28:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:45 – Brian Schottenheimer’s rookie year overview, adversity faced as coach
• 03:13 – Landon on Schottenheimer’s understanding of the team
• 05:07 – Powerfully slow starts & scoring stats breakdown
• 09:31 – Predictable opening scripts and failure to seize early momentum
• 13:54 – Offensive line: Cooper BB health and development
• 19:05 – Tyler Smith: Evaluating his season and injury concerns
• 23:26 – Playoff odds after the Eagles’ recent loss
• 28:50 – Importance of upcoming games and Cowboys fans’ encouragement

Tone and Style

• Conversational and analytical, with a blend of optimism and realism.
• Both hosts keep technical football analysis accessible for regular fans.
• The tone is candid about team flaws but supportive of player development and staff growth.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a deep dive into the Cowboys’ recurring slow starts and the need for Schottenheimer and staff to break stale early-game patterns if they hope for a postseason run. The segment on offensive line development balances critique with patience for young players. Finally, Marcus and Landon break down the Cowboys’ playoff hopes, offering both caution and encouragement as regular season pressure mounts.

Recommended for:

• Fans seeking understanding of the Cowboys’ offensive woes
• Those interested in coaching analysis and player development
• Listeners tracking the postseason race and tiebreaker scenarios

Skip: Sponsor reads, holiday-themed intro, and advertisements (content summarized above focuses only on football discussion).