Hangin' with the Boys: Don't Poke The Bear

So Mike McCarthy said he's going to tweak practices some, committing to more team work. In what way will that help? Plus, Cowboys great Troy Aikman had an interesting opinion on the receivers. Was he right? (Hint: yes.) So what's the problem? Is frustration setting in? And do tough losses affect today's players like it did back in Nate's day? (Hint: sure doesn't seem so.)

Shannon Gross is joined by Nick Harris, Jazz Monet and Josh Rodriguez in a podcast mix-up episode to give grades on the Cowboys skill positions so far and make their picks for the rest of the year.

Shannon Gross is joined by Nick Harris, Jazz Monet and Josh Rodriguez in a podcast mix-up episode to discuss where the Cowboys are heading into the Bye week and if they can still find their identity at this point in the season.

Nothing went right for Dallas as Dan Campbell and the Lions didn't just want to beat the Cowboys, they wanted to embarrass them. So was there accountability? Were business decisions made? Could it get worse? This team is still 3-3 and just one game back in the division race, but something has to change during the break. Will it? Let's get through this misery together.

How big of an advantage is it the Lions are coming off their by week? And could it be a disadvantage the Cowboys are heading into their bye week? Regardless, Dallas has to figure out a way to stop Detroit's running game and equal the force its offensive line will bring. Can Mike Zimmer become the new Freaky Mike? It's Friday fun as we get ready for a big Sunday showdown!

The Cowboys have built a little momentum with back-to-back wins, but are they ready to face one of the bullies on the block? The Lions have one of the best offensive lines in the league, so how does the Dallas defense stop their potent running attack? Or for that matter Jared Goff? Is he one of the more underrated quarterbacks? Plus, Eric Kendricks popped up on the injury report. How important has he become to the defense? (Hint: Huge!)

The Lions are downplaying last year's loss, saying its history. Should we believe them? Yeah, right. So what's ahead for the Dallas offense? They'll have to deal with one of the best pass-rushers in the game in Aiden Hutchinson, but what about the rest of the Detroit defense? Plus, is Jake Ferguson getting too tied up in blocking instead of running routes? And let's throw in a little Dak, Lamb and Tolbert talk as well!

We saw some fight and fire on Sunday at Pittsburgh. Could it have been because of who wasn't on the field? And is this the start of something good? Still, there have been red-zone problems this season. What can they do differently to get in the end zone? Is Zeke the answer? If not, why not? Or has Freaky Mike become Michael from Pittsburgh?

The Cowboys had plenty of reasons to lose that game – injuries, weather, turnovers – but instead of folding up their tents and going home, they fought. And Dak Prescott did so especially. And Rico Dowdle and Jalen Tolbert. What led to the big win in Pittsburgh? Plus, in the case of Tyler Guyton, what will 1,000 reps tell us? Let's talk about it all on Victory Monday!

Coach McCarthy said, "It's about the players. It's not about the plays." Is that true? What if your players just aren't as good as theirs? Don't the coaches have an obligation to get creative with calls? Plus, there could be nasty weather in Pittsburgh on Sunday night. Who does that benefit more, the offense or defense? How will it affect special teams? And are team identities important? It's a Wingstop Friday!

Great job of preparing for Cowboys-Steelers Sunday night. Comprehensive injury update, including what happened to Brandin Cooks, running game talk for both sides, what the Cowboys must do to neutralize T.J. Watt, the emergence of The Maz and some Cowboys-Steelers history, including the 2016 meeting.

The Cowboys still have two Pro Bowl-level guards and a solid veteran at right tackle, so should the offensive line be struggling this much? Can they find some cohesiveness this week against one of the toughest defensive lines in the league? Or should they even worry about running the ball? (Hint: Yes!) Plus, now with Brandin Cooks out, who is going to step up in the receiving corps?

So is it time to make a change along the offensive line? Because he's struggling, does Tyler Guyton need a chance to take a step back and develop his technique? Or do you hope the rest of the line improves, so they can give the young rookie more help? Also, why don't the Cowboys use more motion in their offense? Is it all about teaching an old dog new tricks? It's time to let the fans sound off.

You know the old saying, "The best defense is a good offense." That may mean more now than ever before. So what are Mike Zimmer's troops going to do to get to the passer? Will teammates rally around and collectively pick up the slack? Can someone like DeMarvion Overshown step into a larger pass-rushing role? Or is it truly all going to all fall back on Dak Prescott to win games?

Now that the Cowboys have more clarity on injuries to Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, here are some of the possibilities to replace the two starting defensive ends. A little on the Commanders, the Steelers, the Chiefs and the need to establish a run game, with Nate's assessment of the offensive line play.

On the road against a division rival? Thursday night prime time? Sure, the Giants aren't that good, but the Cowboys took care of business and that's all that matters. There's plenty to talk about, both good (Mazi Smith) and worrisome (injuries) on this Victory Friday!

Would changing the defense to a 3-4 scheme instead of a 4-3 help free up Micah Parsons? Maybe. There's just one big problem. Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball, why are Cowboys receivers struggling to create separation? Turns out, there's one big problem there as well. Plus, can CeeDee Lamb really change, our predictions and more.

It's hard to believe that Dalvin Cook isn't ready. He's been here nearly a month. So why not see what he's got? Then again, will he really make a difference? With the way the offensive line is struggles right now, does it matter who is carrying the ball? Plus, there's been so much talk about guys doing their jobs, could we see an overcorrection on Thursday? Let's hope not.

No holds barred breaking down the disappointing loss to Baltimore, once again starting with the inability to stop the run and slow start on offense. And with Nate filling in for Everson, he was not happy with CeeDee Lamb's performance and attitude.

Jesse, Shannon, and Nate share their final thoughts before the Cowboys take on the Ravens this Sunday at AT&T Stadium and make their predictions.

Been a lot of talk about guys not doing their jobs last week. So why couldn't they recognize that during the game? Nate and Jesse provide some perspective. Plus, is it better to all-out rush Lamar Jackson or spread the umbrella and try to contain him? And who scares you more in the run game, the speed and shiftiness of Jackson or the size and strength of Derek Henry?

The Ravens defensive line is stout. There won't be much pushing them around. So do the Cowboys not even worry about running the ball? Along those lines, center Cooper Beebe has been great in pass protection but has struggled some in run blocking? What does he need to do? Plus, someone has to step up and help CeeDee Lamb in the passing game? Who's it going to be?

Was there a problem with the Cowboys' effort in that game against the Saints? Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer took the blame but said, "They beat us off the snap quite a few times." Isn't that effort? More importantly, can it be corrected? And, uh-oh, is Zack Martin starting to look mortal? Good thing we've got a six-time Pro Bowl lineman who has been through this himself and can give us some insight!

When you break it down, that game was lost at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Sure, the Saints had a scheme and motion that kept the Cowboys guessing, but they were also just more physical, continuing an ongoing theme. From questionable play-calling to questionable effort, this was ugly. So can they now put this debacle behind them and forget about it? Or should they?

So should tight end Jake Ferguson play this weekend? Why rush him back this early in the season? Plus, Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was on Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's staff in Minnesota. Will that give one or the other an advantage when they face off on Sunday? And could defensive end Chase Young be an even bigger challenge for Tyler Guyton? It's a freaky Friday!