Talkin' Cowboys: "Blue Streak" – Week 2 Giants Preview
Date: September 12, 2025
Podcast: Talkin' Cowboys
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Patrick "No Cee" Walker, Josh Rodriguez, Isaiah Stanback
Location: The Star, Frisco, TX
Overview:
The Talkin' Cowboys crew dives into a high-energy, detail-rich analysis of the Dallas Cowboys as they prepare for their home opener against the New York Giants. The episode brings listeners updated injury news, key positional battles (especially in the secondary and linebacker groups), and heated discussion about X-factors and bold predictions. The show is interactive, bringing in a fan caller for game picks and closing with score predictions.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. News & Notes: Cowboys Roster and Injury Updates (04:09)
- Cowboys are home this week — No travel, prepping at The Star.
- Injury/Practice Report:
- Wanye Thomas missed practice (non-injury, personal).
- Secondary depth is in focus: With DaRon Bland out, Ready Stewart and Zion Childress (practice squad) are likely up next at nickel corner.
- Safeties will be rotated into nickel coverage — Brian Schottenheimer confirmed this approach in a radio interview. Expect players like Wanye Thomas and Markquese Bell to see action in different packages.
"Brian Schottenheimer said that the Cowboys will—he didn't say 'expected to' or 'plan to'—he said they will use some safeties to assist them in nickel corner coverage."
– Patrick Walker (05:04)
2. Secondary Stability & Safety Group Continuity (06:05)
- Steadiness in Safety: The safety unit's consistency is praised, especially considering pre-Dan Quinn instability.
- Mention of past safeties (Jeff Heath, Barry Church, Kavon Frazier) to highlight current stability.
- The group is not "elite" like Baltimore's Kyle Hamilton but is “exactly what you need out of that position” given cornerback injuries.
"The safety group has always been ... consistent for, how many years is this now? Three years that the safety group is unchanged."
– Isaiah Stanback (07:05)
3. Linebacker Analysis: Performance, Rotation, and 'Hesitation' (09:31 & 12:09)
- Critique of Jack Sanborn & Kenneth Murray:
- Patrick Walker highlighted hesitation and lack of decisiveness, particularly noting the need to "shoot your shot" and play fast.
- Discussed defensive hesitancy, especially at the linebacker layer—notably Sanborn and to some extent, Malik Hooker.
- Leo Chenal Situation:
- Coach Matt Eberflus says Leo Chenal "has earned the reps as early as this week," hinting at increased playing time.
- Seniority and Opportunity:
- Veterans with scheme familiarity (like Sanborn) "will be given the opportunity to fail" before younger players are trusted.
"That half second hesitation, now that gap is now closed. That half second hesitation, now that lineman is up on me instead of me being able to actually get to one shoulder ... you can't hesitate."
– Patrick Walker (13:04)
- Youth Movement:
- Excitement for younger, more athletic prospects: Shemar James, Maris Liufau, and DeMarvion Overshown (once healthy) form the “young nucleus."
- Discussion of the balance between veteran experience and young athleticism, especially facing dual-threat QBs like Jalen Hurts or Jayden Daniels.
4. Over/Under Predictions & Matchup X-Factors (24:11 - 34:38)
Receiving Group:
- CeeDee Lamb:
- Over/Under set at 78.5 yards. All hosts take the over, some expecting another 100+ yard game citing his bounce-back mentality after uncharacteristic drops.
"CD is gonna go for definitely over a hundred. I'm taking the over for sure."
– Isaiah Stanback (26:33)
- George Pickens also predicted for 100+ yards (Bold parlay prediction).
- Jake Ferguson: Under on 5.5 receptions—estimated at closer to 4 catches and 60 yards.
Quarterback and Offense:
- Dak Prescott: Over 274.5 passing yards expected.
- Cowboys Sacks: Set at 1.5, most pick the over due to Giants O-line struggles, but Patrick Walker stays cautious: “I'm going under. I have to see more.” (30:12)
Offensive X-Factors:
- Isaiah Stanback: Javonte Williams—predicts first 100-yard rushing game since 2021.
- Josh Rodriguez: KaVontae "Turbo" Turpin for his ability to exploit man coverage.
- Patrick Walker: Tyler Guyton (RT)—Eyes on his developing nastiness and ability to withstand Giants pass rushers.
Defensive X-Factors:
- Josh Rodriguez: Marist Liufau—more reps expected; touted for playmaking potential.
- Patrick Walker: Dante Fowler Jr.—highlighting the Giants’ issues at left tackle.
- Isaiah Stanback: Kaiir Elam—boldly predicts he will snag his first interception (starting at nickel due to injuries).
- Kyle Yeomans: Ready Stewart—will get tested often by Giants slot WR Malik Nabers, likely drawing double-digit targets.
5. Key Stats and Fun Facts (36:20; 36:28)
- Ky’s Stat of the Week: Cowboys have not started 0-2 in 14 straight seasons (second only to the Packers' 19-season streak).
- Historical Note: CeeDee Lamb was held under 100 yards in both games vs. the Giants in 2024 despite overall dominance.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Defensive Hesitation:
"I think everybody was just so concerned about being right. You can't play fast like that."
– Patrick Walker (12:39) -
Bounce-back talk on CeeDee Lamb:
"[CeeDee] said he just needs to make sure that he relaxes against the Giants and let the game come to him."
– Josh Rodriguez (25:56) -
On the Giants’ Defensive Plan:
"If you ever want a bounce back game as a receiver, you want to do it versus a team that plays man. And the Giants play all man."
– Isaiah Stanback & Kyle Yeomans (27:05) -
Cowboys-Giants Domination:
“Dak Prescott has not lost to the New York Giants since Barack Obama was in office.”
– Kyle Yeomans (49:44) -
Fan Caller Kendrick, on Cowboys Dominance:
"Rain Dakota is going to come back into AT&T Stadium and remind that other team? Giants, I am your father."
– Kendrick, Fan Caller (49:54)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Team News & Secondary Updates: 04:09–09:00
- Safety Group Praise: 06:05–08:35
- Linebacker Critique & Youth Movement: 09:31–18:23
- Over/Under & X-Factors: 24:11–34:38
- Ky’s Stat of the Week: 36:20–36:23
- Historical Notes (CeeDee vs. Giants): 36:28–37:14
- Game Picks Segment (with Fan Rep): 42:28–53:10
- Fan caller: 43:20–50:21
- Score predictions: 50:28–52:08
Game Score Predictions (51:05+)
- Patrick Walker: Cowboys 40, Giants 17
- Josh Rodriguez: Cowboys 42, Giants 17
- Kyle Yeomans: Cowboys 27, Giants 16
- Isaiah Stanback: Cowboys 34, Giants 13
- Fan Rep (Kendrick): Cowboys win ("Rain Dakota will remind the Giants 'I am your father.'")
Takeaways & Listener Value
- The Cowboys’ defense is under the microscope, with new faces set for big workloads due to injury, especially in the secondary.
- Expect offensive fireworks—multiple receivers predicted over 100 yards, big days for Dak and Javonte Williams.
- Defensive intensity and decisiveness are focal points for improvement, especially at linebacker.
- The dominance over the Giants, especially in the Dak era, is hammered home.
- For fans looking for talking points for their Cowboys watch parties, the crew offers inside info, bold stats, and a confident tone—perfect for any Dallas supporter.
Flow & Tone:
The episode maintains the Cowboys' lively and humorous banter, packed with puns, inside jokes, and bold takes ("Say it with your chest Friday"). The hosts mix analytical depth with accessible storytelling, making it both informative and engaging for diehards and casual fans alike.