Mailbag

Now that the season is done, do you think the Cowboys are a 7-9-1 team, like their record indicates? Or are they better or worse than that? 

If the Cowboys hadn’t made that big trade right before the start of the season, do you think that would have made enough of a difference to get the team into the playoffs?

I realize that management, the coaching staff and players won't use this as an excuse, but did the unusual schedule in November and December factor into the quality of play? In that stretch, the Cowboys had two Monday night games and three Thursday games. There was also a Sunday night game as well. I can't help but think this caused the inconsistent play, especially on the offensive side of the ball. 

Where does the offense continue to go in the second half? Lights out in the first half, two field goals against the woeful Commanders in the second half. And they haven’t scored a touchdown in the second half since the Detroit game. Any ideas? 

I’ve been so excited to see Tyler Smith at left tackle. I know that left tackle is normally thought of as the most important offensive line position, and Smith is our best offensive lineman. Do you see the Cowboys moving him there in 2026 and searching for his replacement at guard? 

What would be your Christmas wish for these last two games? Win both to perhaps help the culture Brian Schottenheimer is trying to build and maybe gain a little momentum going into the offseason? Or take the losses knowing the team will have a better pick position each round throughout next year’s draft? 

Should ​the Cowboys start Joe Milton at quarterback these last two games? Joe needs the experience and the evaluation. Dak Prescott doesn't need either. He needs to stay healthy and ready for next season.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the game last Sunday, “I think we are beating ourselves quite a bit.” How many times have we heard something similar over the last several years? Different coaches, different players, same undisciplined play. Is there any hope of ever fixing this issue?

It seems hard to believe that putting Trevon Diggs on the field right now wouldn't be an immediate upgrade. He says he’s healthy, so what are we, the fans, missing? 

We were all fired up after the trade for Quinnen Williams and the performance of the defense in his first three games with the team. But the Cowboys have generated little pressure in their last two games against Detroit and Minnesota. Are you seeing anything different? Have opponents figured out this five-man front we were so excited about? 

I love having Brandon Aubrey on our team. I wonder, though, is knowing he can generate points from almost anywhere on the field preventing the Cowboys from going for it on fourth down to try to continue the drive for a touchdown. I’m so happy that he can make long field goals, but should they make a push for touchdowns instead?

What’s the most important thing to concentrate on for the remainder of the season: assessing players, draft needs or winning games so you start next season positively? 

Any reason for the consistently slow starts? The Cowboys have now been outscored 109-49 in the first quarter this season. In the other quarters combined they are outscoring opponents 332-277. Why is this such a problem? Is there a fix? 

What would you rather have at tackle, a great run blocker and not so great pass blocker? Or a great pass blocker and below average run blocker? Has shoring up this position become a need?

Considering the Cowboys had to play four games in 18 days, including three straight against playoff-caliber opponents, how much do you think that stretch contributed to the loss in Detroit? It really felt like the overall energy and physical intensity weren’t at the same level as in the previous games. Do you think fatigue from that brutal stretch played a major role?

Will the Lions be the biggest test the Cowboys’ run defense has faced and will face the remainder of the season? They’ve looked great since the addition of Quinnen Williams, but how do you think they’ll do against Detroit’s two-headed rushing monster? 

KaVontae Turpin is seeing more snaps on offense and has made some great plays, but his punt and kickoff return averages are down this year. Is the additional time on offense taking away from his return abilities? Should the Cowboys go back to using him primarily as a return man? 

While Dak Prescott has been playing at a mostly MVP level this year, I haven't heard anything about him being Comeback Player of the Year. Based on his injury last year and his level of play this year, do you think this is a possibility? 

I’m loving this five-man front the Cowboys are utilizing. They stopped the Eagles run game and shut down Jalen Hurts, a quarterback who has been criticized for not being aggressive enough. But there’s definitely no such criticism about the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, who is mobile and will sling it around with the best of them. Do you see the Cowboys doing anything different defensively to contain him? 

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has talked a lot about changing the Cowboys’ culture. How big of an impact on their culture can the dramatic win over the Eagles have? Or will whatever impact there is be lost if the team can’t keep this streak going?