Talkin’ Cowboys: Dig at Diggs & Denver’s D

Podcast: Talkin’ Cowboys – Dallas Cowboys
Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans (host), Isaiah Stanback, Patrick “No C” Walker, Josh Rodriguez, Chris Beam (producer)

Episode Overview

This episode is dedicated to two major storylines:

1. The escalating drama around All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs, his future in Dallas, and what it means for the Cowboys' secondary and culture.
2. A deep, tactical preview of the Cowboys' #1 ranked offense facing the Denver Broncos' top-tier defense—widely regarded as the best and most aggressive in the NFL in 2025.

True to Talkin’ Cowboys form, the crew combines playful banter, in-depth football analysis, inside reporting, and real talk about what matters to fans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trevon Diggs Drama: Frustration at Every Level

[03:26–21:50]

• Latest Update:
  Diggs is absent due to an unexplained at-home concussion/accident. The front office, led by Jerry Jones, is tight-lipped about the circumstances.

  "Jerry Jones said he was, quote, 'satisfied with the explanation' but still will not reveal what the explanation was." – Isaiah Stanback [06:22]

• Organizational Frustration is Boiling Over:
  Jerry’s recent radio comments were surprisingly cold, reflecting that the Cowboys are "fine" without Diggs, which the panel reads as unusual for a cornerstone player.

  "I feel better about being able to play if we don't have him out there." – Quoting Jerry Jones [07:14]

  • Panel reacts:
    "That's not how you typically speak about one of your cornerstone players who's absent from a game." – Isaiah Standback [07:21]
    "It was quite the dig." – Josh Rodriguez [07:38]

• Timeline of Tensions:

  • Diggs returning from injury chose to rehab away from staff—seen as a red flag.
  • Was fined for off-site rehab, team could've overlooked but didn't [10:14].
  • Training camp conduct, tied to the Micah Parsons trade drama; team felt Diggs was not supportive enough or “on board” with new direction.
  • Public criticisms from Diggs about defensive scheme (wanting more man coverage) didn’t sit well.

• Trade Deadline Pressure:
  The November 4th trade deadline looms. Panelists surmise Diggs may be on the block, but openly doubt any team will offer more than a late round pick due to performance and contract size.

  "That's probably all you'd get is probably a 6 or 7. Absolutely. I don't think. And that's even a stretch..." – Kyle Yeomans [14:46]

• Cultural Fit Issues:
  Team’s new leadership under Schottenheimer and head coach, coupled with the Diggs’ visible frustrations and off-field choices, put him squarely at odds with the new Cowboys identity.

  "I don't believe that he represents what they're trying to do...I think they're trying to give him opportunity to get on board." – Travis [12:23]

• Loss of Mentors:
  Both Al Harris (former position coach) and Micah Parsons (friend/confidante, recently traded) are gone—isolating Diggs further.

  "Losing Al Harris was the worst thing that could have happened for Trayvon...Some guys need Al more than others." – Travis [20:16]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “[Those comments are] quite the dig.” – Josh Rodriguez on Jerry Jones’s shade at Diggs [07:38]
• “As soon as we lost Al, I said, that’s not good… Trayvon needs Al.” – Travis [20:28]
• “I believe what you’re seeing is fed-upness from the organization.” – Travis [09:36]
• “You’re trying to introduce a new culture on top of all of it… I don’t believe that he represents what they’re trying to do.” – Travis [12:23]

2. Cowboys Offense vs. Broncos Defense: A Heavyweight Clash

[24:05–47:10]

Setting the Stage

• Dallas boasts the NFL's #1 total offense (390 yds/game)
• Denver fields the #3 total and #4 scoring defense (273 yds, 18 pts/game)
• Panel agrees: “Unstoppable force meets immovable object.”

Why the Broncos Defense is Scary

• Elite Pass Rush:

  • #1 in NFL for sacks, QB hits, pressures, pressure rate, and players with 3+ sacks.
  • Zach Allen (18 QB hits) and Nick Bonito (17) lead the NFL.

  "This is arguably the best secondary in the league. Arguably the best corner in the league… Pastor 10 the second." – Travis [33:26]

  • Depth means 13 different players generated pressure in last week’s game.

• Aggressive and Versatile:

  • 3-4 base, heavy on man coverage (highest rate in the NFL), DBs with rare size and length.
  • Vance Joseph’s creative pressure packages, including double-A-gap looks and stress-inducing fronts.

  "If you run the same snap count, [Nick Bonito] will get it, understand it, predict it, and anticipate it every single time." – Travis [29:13]

• Secondary Talent:

  • Patrick Surtain II—2024 Defensive Player of the Year.
  • Riley Moss: elite coverage stats—second lowest completion % allowed for any defender with 100+ snaps.

  “Don’t sleep on Riley Moss’s ability to stay in the hip pocket of your receiver.” – Isaiah Stanback [37:39]

  • Safeties Brandon Jones (coverage) and Talanoa Hufanga (“heat seeking missile”).

• Key Absence:

  • Dre Greenlaw (LB) is suspended, a possible break for Dallas.
    "Drake Greenlaw is one of the best linebackers in football… but what sucks is their depth is insane." – Travis & Josh Rodriguez [27:41–27:55]

How the Cowboys Can Attack

• Dak Prescott’s Quick Release is Key:
  • “Dak Prescott gets the ball out real quick...and he's got multiple options.” – Isaiah Standback [42:01]
  • Pressure means incomplete passes, not picks—Broncos' sack numbers are high, but INTs are low because QBs get hit before mistakes.
• Javonte Williams “Revenge Game” Factor:
  • Running success would neutralize the rush, force DBs into run support, and generate better play-action opportunities.

  “This needs to be the Javonte Williams revenge [game]…” – Isaiah Standback [42:06]

  • Panel rallies around Williams as a key X-factor.
• Where to Attack Denver:
  • Broncos have yielded passing TDs “mainly outside the numbers” and “against linebackers in coverage.” (Underneath routes, cross-formation)
• Matchups to Watch:
  • Surtain/Moss vs. CeeDee Lamb & George Pickens; can Dallas’ WRs win enough man-coverage reps?
  • Jake Ferguson (TE) as a release valve—LBs susceptible.
• Big Picture:
  • Cowboys’ statistical domination in recent weeks came against lesser defenses—Denver represents a major step up.

  “This is a different animal… It’s a Bronco.” – Kyle Yeomans [45:24]

Tactical Keys

• Get the running game going early (“establish the threat”)
• Use misdirection to take advantage of Denver’s upfield aggressiveness
• Accept that there will be 50/50 ball opportunities; trust your playmakers
• Expect some mistakes—Denver forces QBs into on-the-fly adjustments

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “My bubble guts are bubbling.” – Travis, opening the Denver preview with anxiety [26:16]
• “All the touchdowns Denver has allowed have occurred mainly on their linebackers...if you can get guys outside the numbers, that’s where they have lost.” – Travis [43:13]
• “This is going to be fun… unstoppable force meets immovable object.” – Isaiah Standback [38:07]
• “If Javonte can do what he wants to do, everything plays off of that…I think this is edge to the Cowboys for me in this one.” – Isaiah Standback [47:10]
• “The Dolphins are drowning, and the Broncos are one of the most feared defenses in the NFL currently.” – Josh Rodriguez [35:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Diggs Drama Deep Dive & Trade Speculation:
  03:26 – 21:50 (Entire first segment)
• Transition to Offense/Defense Preview:
  24:05 – 24:49
• Denver Defense Scouting Report / Analytics:
  24:50 – 34:50
• Advanced Stats & Depth Discussion:
  31:33 – 35:22
• How Cowboys Offense Can Attack:
  42:01 – 47:10
• Prediction & Key Matchups Recap:
  47:10 – 47:39

Memorable & Fun Moments

• Running jokes about “glazing” (i.e., giving too much respect) to the Denver D.
  “Pouring all the glaze. Cuz you better understand exactly who the heck you’re dealing with.” – Travis [41:18]
• “My bubble guts are bubbling…” Travis expressing his nerves for the matchup [26:16]
• Group riffs on Javonte Williams’ “revenge game” and the magic of saying his name three times [42:57]
• “It’s a Bronco.” – Running joke about the animal challenge! [45:24]

Summary & Takeaways

• The Cowboys front office appears done with Trevon Diggs, but the situation is complicated by contract, culture fit, and trade value.
• The Denver defense is statistically, tactically, and personnel-wise the toughest unit Dallas faces this season—elite pass rush, sticky coverage, and smart, creative scheming.
• Key for Dallas: establish the run, unleash quick passing, and trust your playmakers to win contentious man-coverage matchups.
• Javonte Williams looms large as an X-factor. If the Cowboys run game gets going, their offense can match Denver’s ferocity.
• The outcome of this heavyweight clash could define what kind of 2025 season Dallas is going to have.

Next episode:
Previewing the Cowboys’ defense vs. Bo Nix, Courtland Sutton, and J.K. Dobbins—Denver’s resurgent offense!

“If Javonte can do what he wants to do, everything plays off of that…[slight] edge to the Cowboys.”
— Isaiah Standback [47:10]