Talkin’ Cowboys: Built to Beat Philly?

Podcast: Talkin' Cowboys
Date: November 19, 2025
Host/Crew: Kyle Yeomans, Isaiah Stanback, Patrick "No C" Walker, Josh Rodriguez, Chris Beam
Theme: Cowboys' Offensive Preview vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Are They Built to Beat Philly?

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Talkin’ Cowboys crew dives deep into how the Dallas Cowboys' offense matches up against the Philadelphia Eagles’ reinforced defense. They analyze roster moves, injury updates, key position battles, and what the revamped offensive line means for Dallas. Isaiah Stanback’s film study “QB Vision” segment takes center stage, revealing exactly what the Cowboys face against Philly’s formidable front seven and unpredictable secondary. The conversation is lively, informative, and full of insight for those eager to know how Dallas stacks up ahead of this division showdown.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Roster Moves & News (07:00-17:00)

• Damone Clark Waived [07:00]:

  • The Cowboys part ways with LB Damone Clark, a move that surprises much of the panel who question why Clark was let go instead of Jack Sanborn, given Clark's value on defense and special teams.
    • "Because I feel like... he gives you more than Sanborn gives you. Both do, on defense and special teams." (Isaiah, 07:32)
  • Clark’s frustration with his lack of opportunity under the new coaching staff played a role in the decision. The panel agrees a fresh start elsewhere is likely best.

• Perrion Winfrey Activated [09:50]:

  • Defensive tackle depth now a major strength with the return of Winfrey, joining names like Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas, and rookie Jay Toia.
    • "That rotation is just nasty." (Chris Beam, 11:26)
  • Josh is particularly excited: "That was my guy coming out of camp... to see him actually make the team and then to not play... now the defensive line... is one of your strengths." (Josh, 11:28–12:08)

• Other Transactions [15:00]:

  • Practice squad center Wesley French and injury-prone TE John Stevens Jr. are also let go.
  • The crew laments Stevens’ unfulfilled promise and credits TE coach Lunda Wells for his developmental impact.

2. Defensive Line Depth & Position Battles (12:16-14:43)

• After the trade deadline and injury returns, Dallas' defensive line is potentially its strongest unit, with multiple waves of contributors:
  • Starters: Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa, Jadeveon Clowney
    • "For me, Jadeveon Clowney... because his run stopping ability. And he's doing a good job at pass rushes... football IQ is there." (Isaiah, 13:08–13:21)
  • Second wave: Dante Fowler, Donovan Azuraku, James Houston, Winfrey, Solomon Thomas
• The crew marvels at the transformation from one of the NFL’s weakest units to a source of confidence and excitement.

3. QB Vision with Isaiah Stanback: Eagles Defensive Scouting Report (23:11-38:45)

[23:11 – 38:45]

Overview & Roster Philosophy

• Both Dallas and Philly have “built their teams to beat each other,” mirroring elite weapons and investing in trenches and skill positions.
  • "I think both of our teams are built to beat each other... building their rosters to compete with each other. It's no different than Buffalo building to beat Kansas City." (Isaiah, 24:18)
• WR rooms are strikingly similar in design (CD Lamb/George Pickens vs. Devonta Smith/AJ Brown).

Eagles Defensive Line

• Strength:
  • Nasty, versatile defensive front. Jalen Carter (now healthy), Jordan Davis, Morrow Ojomo provide power and disruption inside, while new addition Jalen Phillips (from Miami) finally gives them a true edge threat.
• Key Difference From Week 1:

  • Carter’s absence in their first meeting gave Dallas an easier time running; his presence now changes the equation.

  • "Jalen Carter is one of the best interior defenders in the league... He will be there. Jordan Davis will be there. Morrow Ojomo will be there... and Jalen Phillips from Miami... he is a dude." (Isaiah, 26:45)

  • "They didn't have a disruptive pass rusher in week one. Now they do in Phillips... he'll be over Terrence Steele." (Isaiah, 27:21)

Linebackers: Best in the NFL?

• Unit Strength:
  • Zach Baun (cerebral, aggressive), Nakobe Dean (athletic, passionate, often in an elbow brace), and JLix Hunt make a fearsome, instinctive trio.
  • "They probably have the best linebacker core in the NFL... Zach Baun is smart, very smart, cerebral... Dean... the same passion as Overshown, he loves the game." (Isaiah, 28:36–29:53)
• Impact:
  • Eagles LBs don't hesitate—attack quickly vs. run, close off holes instantly, and make it hard for TEs/RBs to leak out.

Secondary

• Physical, Not Perfect in Coverage:
  • The panel respects CB Cooper DeJean (physical, feisty), who previously “punked” Jalen Tolbert, and stand-out S Reed Blankenship.
  • Yet, there is skepticism about CB Quinyon Mitchell—“more physical than technical.”
    • "I'm not sure they're the best cover guys, but they're very physical... Cooper DeJean, I like everything about him, young, talented, physical, feisty. Punched [Tolbert] in the mouth." (Isaiah, 31:07)
• Scheme:
  • Vic Fangio’s defense is disciplined, does a good job at disguising coverages, plays a lot of zone.
  • Prescott has good individual stats vs. Fangio but struggles to win overall.

Where Are They Vulnerable?

• Soft Middle:
  • "The middle of their field... is booty, butt naked. No Huggies." (Come on, Isaiah, 33:07)
  • The deep middle is the biggest vulnerability—better exploited with in-breaking routes by Lamb and Pickens, and especially Jake Ferguson over the top or on in-breaking concepts.
  • "If you can catch it and make one man miss, there's a lot of YAC to be had... Dallas can expose Philadelphia in the passing game by taking advantage of that vacant middle." (Isaiah, 33:40)
• Game Plan:
  • Need quick, decisive passing game—don't get greedy going over the top constantly, as safeties are capable of disguising and rotating late.
  • Establishing a run game for 4–5 yards per carry will force linebackers to respect play action, opening up deeper/intermediate shots.
  • Ferguson needs a big day; panel hopes to see more from Cowboys’ secondary receiving options.

Offensive Keys

• Stay patient with the run, but don’t be afraid to use the pass to open up the run as well.
• Line must hold, as it did well against the Raiders—though this is a much stiffer test.
  • "Our receivers are better than their secondary. Our tight end can body up... but you have to protect... If you can run the ball effectively, you can control this game." (Isaiah, 36:01)
• Methodical, sustained drives—capitalize on red zone trips.
• Must win in the trenches; offensive line “has to play as one unit of dogs” (Isaiah, 50:18).

4. Cowboys’ Offensive Line: Are They Ready? (42:41–50:43)

• Is this the week the line finally comes together?
  • "Is this the game where you finally see this offensive line click against a formidable opponent... Can this be the game where they step it up and you finally see what you want to see out of the investment you put on your offensive line?" (Kyle, 42:48)
• The panel is cautiously optimistic:
  • Tyler Guyton’s pass protection vs. Maxx Crosby (Raiders) was solid; needs consistency vs. Jalen Phillips.
  • Terence Steele also held up well 1v1.
    • "Tyler Guyton... allowed only one pressure with no sacks on 34 drop back[s]... 80% of the time he was 1v1, so that's promising." (Patrick, 44:05)
    • "Terrence Steele... 15 out of 16 reps vs. Max Crosby were 1v1. He only allowed two pressures..." (Patrick, 45:06)
  • But the Eagles have a much deeper, stronger line—Dallas will not have the luxury of singling out just one threat.
  • This game will require emotional intelligence—not just physical nastiness but discipline (avoid penalties, keep head when tested).
• The sentiment:
  • "You're going to take some Ls... You're going to take some sacks, tips balls... It's going to be back and forth. I have confidence. But this team... has to play as a unit up front. They can't be individuals." (Isaiah, 49:31)

5. Match “Mirroring” and Adapting

• Both teams have mirrored each other’s squad builds—a generational draft pick plus an elite trade (Cowboys: Lamb/Pickens, Eagles: Smith/Brown).
• Utilizing the TE like Philly does with Dallas Goedert might glean similar results with Jake Ferguson.
  • "Use Jake Ferguson like they do Dallas Goedert... there are so many situations where he's wide open because teams are having to account for Smith and A.J. Brown." (Josh, 38:03)
• If Dallas can exploit the soft middle and get early momentum from Ferguson, opportunities for Lamb and Pickens should open up.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That rotation is just nasty.” — Chris Beam on DT depth, [11:26]
• “The middle of their field is booty, butt naked. No Huggies...just go streaking through the quad in the Coliseum.” — Isaiah Stanback, on Eagles’ coverage weakness, [33:07]
• “You have to approach the game as one unit of dogs... you have to have this arrogance... but you have to know when to cut it off. When that whistle blows, you gotta turn the switch off.” — Isaiah Stanback on O-line mentality, [50:18]
• “You're going to have a negative play, you're going to have a positive play, negative play. It's going to be back and forth. I have confidence.” — Isaiah Stanback, [49:45]
• “I think both of our teams are built to beat each other. I truly believe that.” — Isaiah Stanback, [24:18]
• “The linebackers don't wait… they react the way in which I wish our linebackers had up until this point in the season.” — Isaiah Stanback, [29:10]
• “Our receivers are better than their secondary. Our tight end can body up…” — Isaiah Stanback, [36:01]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Roster Moves & D-Line Depth: 07:00–17:00
• DT Rotation Discussion: 12:16–14:43
• Tight End Room/John Stevens Jr.: 15:00–17:13
• “QB Vision” Eagles Defense Scouting: 23:11–38:45
• Cowboys O-Line Readiness: 42:41–50:43
• Keys to Victory / Offensive Plan: 36:00–37:30, 50:00–50:43

Final Takeaway

The Cowboys and Eagles have evolved together into NFC titans, with this matchup highlighting years of reciprocal roster construction. Dallas’ defensive rotation and healthy O-line are strengths, but Philly’s reinforced front and linebacker play present a major challenge. Exploiting the Eagles’ soft middle, methodical drives, emotional discipline, and big plays from Ferguson are key. Sunday’s showdown will reveal if Dallas’ offense is truly built to take down Philly.