Talkin’ Cowboys: “Dak the Halls” – Holiday Episode Recap

Podcast: Talkin' Cowboys
Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Patrick “Nosey” Walker, Josh Rodriguez, Isaiah Stanback, Chris Beam
Location: The Star in Frisco, TX

Episode Overview

The crew hosts their final show before the holiday break, blending festive fun with an in-depth look at current Dallas Cowboys headlines. They tackle the team’s latest news—including injury updates, Pro Bowl snubs and nods, play-calling debates, and the upcoming Christmas Day game against the Washington Commanders. Expect entertaining holiday banter, creative predictions, and passionate takes on player safety and season strategy.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Opening Holiday Cheer & Gift Exchange

Time: [02:09]–[08:18]

• The hosts exchange gifts, reflecting the camaraderie and holiday spirit among the crew.
  • Favorite moments filled with playful jokes about wrapping skills and personalized presents (Black Rifle Coffee, themed mugs, cologne, fun shirts).
• Sets an upbeat tone for a festive special episode.

Notable quote:
“Josh, you're awesome, bro. Merry Christmas to all.” – Patrick Walker [07:29]

2. Cowboys News & Injury Updates

Time: [08:21]–[18:27]

• Positive Injury News:

  • WR Ryan Flournoy avoided a serious knee injury after a late hit, sustaining only a sprain. Limited in walkthrough, unlikely to play vs. Commanders but could return before season end.
  • Quote: “The Christmas gift is that it’s simply a sprain in his knee...tells me we might get at least one more game out of Flournoy this season.” – Chris Beam [08:48]

• Other Updates:

  • Demarvion Overshown still in concussion protocol, unlikely to play Christmas Day.
  • OT Tyler Guyton likely out for the season, meaning Tyler Smith stays at left tackle.
  • DT Quinnen Williams expected back after missing previous game due to concussion/neck issue.

3. Pro Bowl & Accolades Discussion

Time: [08:31]–[16:26]

• Initial celebration around fan vote leaders: Dak Prescott, Tyler Smith, Brandon Aubrey, Quinnen Williams, and George Pickens.
  • Correction mid-show: Pro Bowl rosters just released (not just fan vote).
• George Pickens earns first Pro Bowl and 1,000-yard season.
• Debate about contract value:
  • “What is the bare minimum for Pickens? Thirty? Maybe 34.” – Patrick Walker, Chris Beam [11:24]
• CD Lamb absent from Pro Bowl initial list due to missed games/injury—debate on impact.

4. Should the Stars Play or Sit in “Meaningless” Games?

Time: [18:27]–[25:10]

• Intense discussion on whether Dallas should risk top players (notably Dak Prescott) in games with no playoff implications.
  • Isaiah: “I don’t want to see Dakota Prescott, your number two leading passer in the NFL...you put them at risk.” [18:34–18:44]
  • Kyle: “Why would you jeopardize all that for a game against the Commanders? This isn’t a losing mentality—it’s just logistics.” [22:09]
  • Patrick uses insurance analogy: “Protect some of your superstars...non-contact injuries are up higher than they’ve ever been.” [23:33]

Memorable exchange:
“Do you have insurance on your house, Kyle?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then protect Dak.” – Patrick & Kyle [23:11–23:37]

5. QB Vision – Breaking Down the Commanders’ Defense

Time: [29:30]–[34:38]

• Isaiah explains the soft, atypical Dan Quinn defense now in Washington:
  • “This is not a typical Dan Quinn defense…It’s soft.” [30:00–30:01]
  • Heavy two-high shells (Cover 4/6, not much pressure or classic press-man).
  • Bobby Wagner and others present but less aggressive than expected.
  • Javonte Williams (Cowboys RB) should be poised for a big day; “Passing game, you should pretty much have whatever you want.” [32:33]
  • The defensive adjustments stem from not having personnel to run true DQ schemes.

6. Play Calling: Run vs. Pass and Who’s Really Deciding?

Time: [34:38]–[37:29]

• The crew revisits the ongoing debate: why the Cowboys seem pass-happy, regardless of offensive coordinator.
  • Kyle floats: “Is Dak the one checking out of run plays?” [35:10]
  • Josh: “That’s a strong argument, Kyle Yeomans.” [35:37]
  • Patrick: “I think there have been times where he checked out [of the run]... nothing wrong with it.” [36:04]
• Consensus: As a veteran, Dak has the freedom to adjust at the line—and sometimes the stats reflect his confidence in the passing game, not just the coordinator’s design.

7. Popcorn Predictions – Holiday Movie Stat Lines

Time: [42:06]–[45:57]

Josh’s creative, themed bold predictions (“movie tickets”):

• Dak the Halls: Dak throws 400 yards & 4 TDs in a game that “matters none.”
• Scary Terry’s Coming to Town: Terry McLaurin goes for 120+ yards & 2 TDs.
• Speed Saves Christmas: Kavontae Turpin scores a 4th quarter TD.

Favorite movies presented: Die Hard, Elf, Home Alone 1 & 2, Christmas Story.

Hosts’ Picks:

• Chris: “I think Terry gets his.”
• Patrick: “I’m going with Turp [Turpin].”
• Kyle: “I like Dak the Halls, just for the title.”
• Josh: Sides with Turpin’s holiday heroics.

8. Rapid-Fire Pick’em & Fan Caller

Time: [46:04]–[52:14]

• The crew (with caller Jalen from Shreveport) makes quick picks for NFL matchups and the Cowboys-Commanders outcome.
• Consensus: All pick Cowboys to defeat the Commanders, though Chris, frustrated, predicts an ugly 7–6 win.

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• “It’s not just being smart and setting up your chance to win in 2026 and 2027.” – Kyle Yeomans [22:09]
• “You have to protect guys from themselves. I understand the TV rights deals...sit his butt down.” – Patrick Walker [21:28]
• “This is not a typical Dan Quinn defense. It’s soft. When you look at...this defense, it’s not DQ.” – Isaiah Stanback [30:01, 31:24]
• “I just want to clarify...it’s the final fan vote” (not the final Pro Bowl roster). – Kyle Yeomans [14:21]
• “They have to trust that...you’ve seen enough defenses that if you choose to check out of the run [or pass]...they have to trust you.” – Patrick Walker [36:11]

Episode Timestamps

| Time | Segment Description | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:09-08:18 | Holiday gift exchange, setting a cheerful, comedic mood | | 08:21-18:27 | Comprehensive Cowboys news and injury updates | | 08:31-16:26 | Pro Bowl, All-Pro, and accolade debate | | 18:27-25:10 | Should starters like Dak Prescott play in low-stakes games? Injury/safety debates | | 29:30-34:38 | QB Vision: Dissecting the Commanders’ atypical “soft” Dan Quinn defense | | 34:38-37:29 | Play-calling, Dak’s line-of-scrimmage freedom, and run-pass balance discussion | | 42:06-45:57 | Popcorn Predictions: Holiday movie-themed bold stat lines | | 46:04-52:14 | Fan call-in, rapid-fire pick’em for NFL week and Christmas Day Cowboys-Commanders predictions | | 52:14-end | Wrap-up, holiday wishes, scheduling notes, pod community shout-outs |

Summary & Takeaways

• The Talkin’ Cowboys crew delivers a festive, insightful, and sometimes fiery conversation—the perfect holiday blend for Cowboys fans.
• Injuries: Some key Cowboys (Flournoy, Overshown, Guyton) likely to miss Christmas Day, but most others trending positive.
• Pro Bowl: Celebration and correction as official rosters hit, with debates over who deserved nods.
• Player Safety: Strong consensus that major stars, especially Dak, should rest in “meaningless” games to protect the team’s 2026–27 title window.
• Commanders Preview: Expect a soft, passive Dan Quinn defense—ripe for Dallas to exploit on the ground or with short passing.
• Playcalling: While coordinator changes get attention, Dak’s experience and freedom at the line are a major lever in offensive outcomes.
• Popcorn Predictions: Creative, movie-themed stat lines for the holiday matchup keep the energy light yet pointed.
• Final Picks: Cowboys unanimously predicted to win Christmas Day, with some hosts skeptical of how impressive the victory will be.

Happy Holidays from the Talkin’ Cowboys crew!
“Merry Christmas everybody!” – Kyle Yeomans [52:13]