The Musers The Podcast: Cowboys Weekly Edition (@ Lions)
Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: George Dunham & Bob Sturm
Podcast Network: Cumulus Podcast Network
Episode Overview
This special early-release episode zeroes in on the Dallas Cowboys’ back-to-back primetime games: a review of the resounding Thanksgiving Day win over the Kansas City Chiefs, and an in-depth preview of the upcoming Thursday Night Football showdown with the Detroit Lions. George and Bob deliver their signature blend of humor, insightful analysis, and deep Cowboys knowledge, spotlighting offensive adjustments, defensive changes, special teams quirks, and the evolving NFC playoff picture.
Main Discussion Themes
- Thorough breakdown of the Cowboys’ win against the Chiefs and what it reveals about their offensive adaptability
- Discussion of quarterback Dak Prescott’s elite play and the nuances of his game management
- The evolution of the Cowboys’ defense, especially on third downs, after losing key personnel
- Emerging key players and the value of special teams contributors stepping up
- Preview of the Cowboys-Lions matchup: strategic keys, player matchups, and playoff implications
Key Segments & Insights
1. Cowboys Take Down the Chiefs: What Does It Mean?
[00:00 – 14:25]
- The Cowboys outlasted the defending champs, with Dak Prescott showing both resilience and intelligence against Steve Spagnolo’s blitz-heavy Kansas City defense.
- “If this was college football, then we would look at all their wins and say they haven’t beat anybody… But since this is pro football, we can reasonably say … these are good wins, and we’re going to count them as great wins.” – Bob [01:25]
- Moment of crisis: Early interception risks nearly knock Dallas out, but steady recovery avoids a spiral.
- George highlights CeeDee Lamb for breaking up what could have been a disastrous second interception:
- “Maybe the best play CeeDee Lamb made all day long was breaking up what would have been a second interception by Nick Bolton…” – George [02:55]
Dak Prescott and Offensive Maturity
- “[Opponents] are getting absolutely elite play from Dak Prescott… not perfect play… but he’s just doing his Peyton Manning bit where I will get the ball out one step before you hit me.” – Bob [05:50]
- Bob praises Dak’s pre-snap intelligence:
- “Dak in pre-snap is as good as it gets… he now knows what you’re trying to do against him. And he also knows how to hurt you back.” [09:05]
- The offense leans into high-percentage throws to the flats as a response to Cover 4/blitzes—a deliberate design:
- “If you go rewatch this game… how many times did the Cowboys hit the guy in the left flat? … They were populating where the Chiefs couldn’t get to in time.” – Bob [12:10]
2. Unheralded Heroes and Play Design
[14:25 – 24:55]
- Spotlight on Malik Davis’ breakout 43-yard TD run—a reward for years of grinding on special teams and practice roster hustle:
- “This is the story of the guy who has toiled for three or four years and gained a reputation… The first way to gain the trust of your coaching staff… is special teams.” – Bob [16:45]
- Play breakdown: The Cowboys “steal” a 49ers-style counter/power run using two skill position players (Lipke & Span-Ford) as blockers—a nod to modern NFL innovation.
- “The reason I mention the 49ers is they run counter and power with two skill guys and that’s very uncommon. The Cowboys have stolen it.” – Bob [20:00]
- Significance of special teams regulars getting key offensive reps and making them count.
3. The Defensive Turnaround: Numbers Tell the Tale
[33:50 – 45:41]
- Statistical deep dive: The Cowboys have become a top-10 defense on third down over the past three weeks, rising from dead last before the bye week:
- “Over those three weeks, they’ve been a top-10 defense on third down, where they were dead last in the first games… If they would have stayed at 52.6 [percent allowed], it would have been the worst third down defense of all time.” – George/Bob [35:14–36:47]
- Historical context: compares current third down performance to the dreadful Mike Nolan era and the Micah Parsons effect.
- On new defensive line combos, pass rush, and adapting to life post-Micah Parsons:
- “The Cowboys have found their best pass rush. In big moments, you see Ezraku, Quinn, Osa, Jadaveon Clowney… those are the four on that crazy third down throw.” – Bob [41:45]
- Identifying “curveball” moments like Rashee Rice’s key drop (“traffic in Dallas” quip from George [43:15]), and what-ifs that tilted the outcome.
4. Lions Preview: Keys and Matchups
[51:06 – 63:37]
- Focus: Dallas’ ability to stop Detroit’s elite rushing attack (Gibbs & Montgomery) is the game’s biggest question:
- “Detroit leads the NFL in running the football as far as yards per carry… I think the Cowboys are going to get a snoot full of Gibbs on Thursday night.” – George [51:38]
- Discussion of Detroit’s recent offensive struggles, lost play-callers, and injury woes:
- “They’re not quite right… their offensive line isn’t the same, their play caller isn’t the same. So much so that Dan Campbell took it over…” – George [54:14]
- “Goff is a guy who does not do well under pressure… If you can get that interior push, then it gets muddy fast and he does not like that…” – Bob [54:59]
- Notable stat: The Cowboys lead the NFL in drawing defensive pass interference (DPI) flags:
- “This is the number I was going to give you… Cowboys lead the NFL in drawing defensive pass interference. It has now happened 17 times this year. Lamb leads the way… having drawn 10 PI calls.” – George [58:54]
- Bob: “If you foul every play, they’re not going to call them all… It’s actually a good strategy.” [59:38]
- How Detroit’s aggressive, physical man coverage could backfire or set up a penalty-fest
5. Playoff Implications & Final Thoughts
[63:37 – End]
- If the Cowboys beat Detroit, their playoff chances shoot into the 70–80% range:
- “If they win against the Lions, I believe their playoff probabilities will shoot through the roof … I think we’re getting to a point where it’s now riding a lot on Thursday.” – Bob [63:37]
- This gauntlet stretch (Eagles, Chiefs, Lions) could reframe the team’s season and have the whole league on notice.
- “What team in this league can say we beat the Eagles, Chiefs, and Lions in a 12-day period?” – Bob [64:25]
- Light-hearted hype for the upcoming “Hard Knocks: NFC East” and hopes for “must-see TV” drama, especially with the Cowboys’ role.
- “Could we have a Philadelphia meltdown that’s being covered in real time and Washington step back, whatever that disaster was in New York… and the Cowboys always make for good theater.” – George [66:09]
Notable Quotes
- “Dak in pre-snap is as good as it gets. He studies the film… and he now knows what you’re trying to do against him. And he also knows how to hurt you back.” – Bob [09:05]
- “This is the story of the guy who has toiled for three or four years and gained a reputation… The first way to gain the trust of your coaching staff… is special teams.” – Bob [16:45]
- “If they would have stayed at 52.6%, it would have been the worst third down defense of all time.” – Bob [36:47]
- “If you foul every play, they’re not going to call them all. It’s actually a good strategy.” – Bob [59:38]
- “Don’t let the Cowboys get into the playoffs. They will definitely be the team nobody wants to deal with.” – Bob [65:05]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Opening and Win over Chiefs: [00:00–14:25]
- Malik Davis & Run Game Innovation: [14:25–24:55]
- Special Teams Nugget/Offensive Line: [24:55–31:33]
- Third Down Defense Breakthrough: [33:50–45:41]
- Lions Preview & Key Matchups: [51:06–63:37]
- Playoff Picture & Hard Knocks Banter: [63:37–End]
Episode Tone & Style
George and Bob keep their discussion lively, digressive in the best ticket tradition, and informative—mixing deep football X’s and O’s with historical context, player anecdotes, and running jokes. Detailed statistical analysis is interspersed with memorable quips and callback humor, making the show equally accessible to longtime listeners and new fans.
In Summary
The Musers deliver an engaging, sharp, and comprehensive look at the Cowboys’ Thanksgiving triumph and looming battle with Detroit, with enough detail and wit to keep both stats junkies and casual fans listening through to the very last “Football Friends” sign-off.