The Musers The Podcast – Cowboys Weekly Edition (vs Bears)

Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: George Dunham, Bob Sturm
Podcast Network: Cumulus Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This Cowboys Weekly edition features George Dunham and Bob Sturm diving into the Dallas Cowboys’ wild early-season ride, focusing on thrilling recent games, changes in team identity, surprising player performances, and what lies ahead against the Chicago Bears. With characteristic wit, historical asides, and fan-flavored honesty, the Musers dissect the agony and ecstasy of Cowboys fandom—covering everything from nostalgia over Texas Stadium’s traditions to in-depth schematics and psychology behind Dak Prescott, the defense, kicker legend Brandon Aubrey, and the challenges of facing rookie Bears QB Caleb Williams.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys Game Presentation & Stadium Nostalgia

[02:00 – 06:30]

• Bob muses about the lethargic energy at Cowboys noon home games, blaming “Zombie Cowboys” syndrome on stuck-in-the-90s stadium music:

  “It feels like they're playing the same Jock Jam CD for the last 30 years... ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ puts everybody in a catatonic trance.” (Bob, 03:02)

• George and Bob reminisce about Texas Stadium’s live trumpet band and classic traditions missing today:

  “They used to have that...part of the pregame presentation, as different units would come out, the three trumpeters would go...” (George, 04:37)

  Both vow to research when the tradition ended:

  “I’ll get all this in line and get it for you for next week because that is really interesting.” (George, 05:37)

2. Dak Prescott’s Journey & Fans’ Expectations

[06:30 – 13:45]

• Bob points out Dak’s stellar play amid fan frustration, drawing parallels to Tony Romo. Fans, he argues, miss out on joy due to championship tunnel vision:

  “Sports are the great escape from death, taxes, disease... maybe we're not feeling the liberty to enjoy the journey at all.” (Bob, 09:49)
  “No other quarterback is allowed to have a good game without people dumping on it.” (Bob, 08:56)

• George highlights Dak’s specific elite throws (slant to Turpin, overtime strike to Pickens, deep crosser to Lamb):

  “That one to Pickens in overtime where he's getting hit in the face and he feathers a 35 yard pass... that's what an MVP looks like.” (12:10)

• They dissect the week’s PFF grades and the flawed offensive line narrative:

  “If every lineman was not even in the top half grade-wise...then Dak just played one of the greatest games in Cowboys history.” (George, 13:45)

3. Cowboys Offense: Weapons and New Realities

[13:45 – 19:18]

• O-line performance:

  “Terrence Steele really struggled and I'm worried about him. Guyton had some problems, penalty and otherwise.” (Bob, 15:07–15:17)

• The depth of skill talent with Lamb, Pickens, Turpin, and Ferguson—Pickens described as a legit No. 1 WR:

  “What I see from George Pickens is a number one wide receiver on most teams.” (Bob, 16:43)

• Pickens complements Lamb’s strengths/weaknesses, giving Dallas more red-zone and third-down answers:

  “Pickens is big enough...he wins in the air, he bullies guys...he’s almost a big tight end.” (Bob, 18:03)
  “I think they're going to average more than 30 points a game.” (George, 19:14)

4. Defensive Disarray: Zone Woes and Secondary Confusion

[23:08 – 29:54]

• The hosts lament the porous performance against the Giants (37 points, 500+ yards) despite improvements against the run:

  “Zone's supposed to be easier to learn...Don’t give up big plays because you’re going to be in zone, right? Protected over the top...” (George, 23:13)

• Bob’s stat:

  “There have been 14 times [out of 1,067 games] where they've given up 500 yards and at least 37 points...they’re two and 12, this being the second win.” (Bob, 23:18)

• The problem: Cowboys are stocked for man coverage but forced into 100% zone—players are lost and chemistry is lacking:

  “Their personnel...were drafted for man...they look confused...they didn't play all preseason together.” (Bob, 26:29)

• George points out free runs and lack of press:

  “There's just free run all over the place, even when the Cowboys were single high safety...It’s garbage.” (George, 29:54)

5. Coaching Decisions and Historical Parallels

[29:54 – 32:44]

• Both agree the coaching staff is forcing scheme over personnel, unlike Parcells:

  “Remember Parcells, George, when he got here, he did not switch his scheme until...he could draft for it...I don't think Eberflus is doing that...” (Bob, 28:24)

• Defensive question for Chicago: “They look like they've never played zone before...what do you think Chicago and Green Bay are thinking?...That should be terrifying.” (Bob, 28:24)

6. Critical Late Game Moments

[33:35 – 39:47]

• The wild, low-probability comeback:

  “How many plays in that game are...‘you're down to your last strike’...if you do not convert this 4th and 4 to Tolbert, this 64-yard field goal...How many times were they at 3% win probability?” (Bob, 33:35)

• Giants’ own soft defense sets up Cowboys’ game-tying drive. Analysis of a perfectly executed, impossible-seeming back shoulder from Dak to Ferguson:

  “If you can imagine NFL quarterback standing right behind you, says, 'now run,' at 25 yards you’re supposed to turn around and the ball arrives the second you turn around...we should all try it as fans just to see.” (Bob, 38:45)

7. Brandon Aubrey: Kicker Ascendant

[39:15 – 46:05]

• Winner of the “Hot Fry Georgie Player of the Game” unanimously—Brandon Aubrey, for his clutch 64-yarder and general unflappability:

  “We’re all treating it like it’s a 42-yarder, thinking, yeah, he’s got this...It’s incredible.” (George, 39:47)

• The legend grows; Bob notes:

  “The fact that he is the best kicker probably in the history of the sport is so silly.” (Bob, 40:19)

• Insane stat:

  “In his career, from 43 to 60 yards, he is 39 of 40.” (Bob, 42:04)

• Discussion on whether Aubrey deserves MVP:

  “Shouldn’t he be a legitimate most valuable player candidate?” (George, 43:31)
  “I'm willing to entertain this if I'm allowed to cross examine you...” (Bob, 43:31)

• Impact on game and strategy; Aubrey’s range changes coaching decisions:

  “You’ve got to gain 13 yards and you’re in Brandon Aubrey’s range...that’s so stupid.” (George, 46:03)

8. Preview: Bears, Caleb Williams, and Coaching Dynamics

[48:00 – 60:24]

• The challenge Caleb Williams poses (and his flaws):

  “I think there's, there's some things going on in his head that aren't in most winning quarterbacks head...I think he tries to make the spectacular play way too much, therefore he holds onto the ball too much...he's got some growing to do before he's going to be all that.” (George, 48:00)

• Bob details the classic young QB/coach struggle—structure vs. improvisation:

  “This is Ben Johnson. I need this run my way. And this is Caleb Williams. I kind of like doing the Kyler Murray thing more...” (Bob, 51:45)
  “Ben Johnson said, I need Caleb to play point guard, not shooting guard.” (Bob, 53:06)

• George draws a parallel to Troy Aikman and Norv Turner:

  “Get the ball out sometimes. Take a little victory, and it'll help us get the big victory, which is a win...” (George, 55:16)

9. Questions of Leadership, NIL, and the Bears’ Overall Trajectory

[57:04 – 60:24]

• Hard Knocks: Bob critiques Caleb’s nonchalance and questions if NIL money affects desire:

  “He’s awful aloof for a guy who hasn't accomplished anything yet...it takes all types of people to make the world go around...but there are questions about that.” (Bob, 57:27)

• Bears have more talent than most years but are not a “layup win,” particularly for a Cowboys defense with confidence issues.

10. Final Cowboys Roster/Defense Questions & Teaser for Next Week

[60:44 – 61:33]

• With Clowney and others vying for snaps, who sits? How do you integrate new pieces?

  “I hate to bring in Clowney because I do want to know how good Sam Williams and Ezraku and Nyland are. But Clowney is probably instantly your best defensive end...” (Bob, 60:44)

• The show ends with promise to revisit the search for the truth about the Cowboys band/trumpet tradition next week.

  “And an update on the Cowboys band next week.” (George, 61:50)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps and Attribution)

• Bob Sturm [03:02]: “It feels like they're playing the same Jock Jam CD for the last 30 years... it’s just Zombie Cowboys for the first quarter of every noon start at home.”
• George Dunham [04:37]: “They used to have that... part of the pregame presentation, as different units would come out, the three trumpeters would go...”
• Bob Sturm [09:49]: “Sports are the great escape from the realities of death, taxes, disease, and all the things we all deal with in life. And I just think maybe we're not feeling the liberty to enjoy the journey at all.”
• George Dunham [12:10]: “That one to Pickens in overtime where he's getting hit in the face and he feathers a 35 yard pass... that's what an MVP looks like.”
• Bob Sturm [16:43]: “What I see from George Pickens is a number one wide receiver on most teams.”
• Bob Sturm [23:18]: “There have been 14 times [out of 1,067 games] where they've given up 500 yards and at least 37 points... they’re two and 12, this being the second win.”
• Bob Sturm [26:29]: “Their personnel...were drafted for man... they look confused... they didn't play all preseason together.”
• George Dunham [29:54]: “There's just free run all over the place, even when the Cowboys were single high safety...It’s garbage.”
• Bob Sturm [33:35]: “How many times were they at 3% win probability because they are giving up touchdowns at such a rapid rate...”
• George Dunham [39:47]: “We’re all treating it like it’s a 42-yarder, thinking, yeah, he’s got this...It’s incredible.”
• Bob Sturm [42:04]: “In his career, from 43 to 60 yards, he is 39 of 40.”
• George Dunham [46:05]: “13 yards and you’re in field goal range.”
• Bob Sturm [51:45]: “This is Ben Johnson. I need this run my way. And this is Caleb Williams. I kind of like doing the Kyler Murray thing more...”
• George Dunham [55:16]: “Get the ball out sometimes. Take a little victory, and it'll help us get the big victory, which is a win...”
• Bob Sturm [57:27]: “He’s awful aloof for a guy who hasn't accomplished anything yet...it takes all types of people to make the world go around...but there are questions about that.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:00 – 06:30] — Stadium music nostalgia & game presentation
• [06:30 – 13:45] — Dak criticism, fan psychology, parallels to Romo/Dirk
• [13:45 – 19:18] — Weapons on offense & expectations
• [23:08 – 29:54] — Defensive problems, zone man mismatch
• [33:35 – 39:47] — Clutch comeback, execution under pressure
• [39:15 – 46:05] — Brandon Aubrey legend & MVP debate
• [48:00 – 60:24] — Bears preview, Caleb Williams, QB-coach dynamic, NIL
• [60:44 – 61:33] — DE rotation dilemma & next week teaser

Episode Tone

The hosts combine deadpan humor, deep football knowledge, and the unique cadence familiar to DFW sports fans. Their banter is often self-deprecating, always forthright, gently mocking while full of genuine nostalgia and curiosity about the Cowboys’ past, present, and future.

Summary

If you missed this week's Musers, you missed a spirited, insightful trip through Cowboys history, their present-day rollercoaster, heated player debates, and a look ahead to a Bears game freighted with questions, hope, and a little existential dread.