Hangin' with the Boys: Play-Caller Calling Plays

If we can expect 85 percent of the roster back next season, how can the Cowboys take that next step and get better? Will they finally sign a big free agent? Will it fall on the new coaches to bring improvement? Also, Mike McCarthy will now be calling plays. Does he have the personnel in place to rework the team's offense?

There's great discussion going on here today! Do the Cowboys need more talent around Dak Prescott? Or does the quarterback need to just be better? And if so, how does he get better? Does he need a new voice in his ear, a Dak Whisperer? His career may now be at a critical point. It's time for the Cowboys to help him reach that next level one way or the other.

Don't come with the "What Ifs?" here. What if Dak Prescott hadn't thrown two more interceptions? What if Tony Pollard didn't get injured? What if Trevon Diggs had hauled in that interception? The facts are the facts and the hurt is real. The Cowboys couldn't rise to the occasion and get the job done.

Can the Cowboys get their running game going? Can they slow the 49ers ground game down? Micah Parsons is ready to battle Trent Williams, but how much should he? And does the team's fortunes rest on the shoulders of their quarterback? Plus, our man Nate talks offensive line and getting mean in the trenches. It's go time!

What's the main thing this Dallas defense has to do against the 49ers? Tackle. They're going to be physical, time for you to be physical too. Beat them at theirs. And who should we worry about most on San Francisco's offense? Could it be … the tight end? Plus, another matchup we're looking forward to – Parsons vs. Williams. Delicious!

As Mike Tyson said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." Can Dak Prescott and the offense keep it rolling against the league's No. 1 defense? How big of a factor must the running game be in order for the Cowboys to be successful? And it's going to be Tyron Smith vs. Nick Bosa? That's the heavyweight bout we want to see!

Proud of Dak Prescott, that is. After one of the worst games of his career just the week before, the Dallas quarterback had one of the best performances in team history in the playoff win over the Buccaneers. But he had plenty of help on both sides of the ball. It's a big, BIG, victory Tuesday after the Cowboys take care of business in Tampa.

Can Dak Prescott take his game to another level? Can the Cowboys disrupt Tom Brady's timing? The key to winning this game might just come down to the guys behind center. And can the Cowboys do more with the run game than just slam it up the middle? Please? Things will be different come Monday night. We're locked in. Our friends in England are locked in. Are you? Let's go!

If Parsons is drawing the attention, who is going to step up and be the man in this playoff showdown at Tampa Bay? Lawrence, Vander Esch, Kearse? Brady's game is short, quick throws. How will the Cowboys defend that? Stop the run, upset the QB's timing and head to the next round. As the Buccaneers' Evans said, good but simple. Right?

Is Dak Prescott looking for the big play when the safe play is underneath? Is he doing too much or not enough? Can the running game get going again? And will it even matter if the offensive line can't find there form again? Maybe now more than ever, it's all about the trench war. The Buccaneers are beatable if the Cowboys aren't predictable.

The Cowboys won 12 games and are in the playoffs. So why does it feel so bad? Plus, Dak Prescott has put up big numbers in the regular season, he's won a home playoff game, but can he take that next step and do it in prime time on the road? Can he take over and out-Brady Brady? And does he need to now before the team's window closes?

Was the loss in Washington an outlier? After all, the offense has been putting up big numbers for most of the season. Then again, is Dak's interception problem now the norm? Is this a coaching problem? Have the players been too satisfied? Can the Cowboys simply shake this off, forget about it and move forward into the playoffs?

Will the Cowboys pay attention to what's happening in Philadelphia come Sunday? Would they rest guys if the Eagles get a big lead? Also, should Dak Prescott stay aggressive in this game or dial it down? And even though he isn't the No. 2 receiver, is it time for T.Y. Hilton to get more targets? Plus, your calls and our keys to the game.

Darren Woodson and DeMarcus Ware are finalists for the Hall of Fame and we've got a couple of former teammates here to share some memories. Plus, we take a look at the Commanders offense. Will their rookie quarterback present any challenges? Can Dallas figure out its cornerback situation? And is stopping the run still the priority?

With the Commanders owning one of the game's best defensive fronts, how will the Cowboys shake up their offensive line? Farniok at center? Peters at tackle? Should they bring Pollard back to face Young, Payne and Co. if he's not 100 percent healthy? And is it surprising how quickly Hilton has made an impact both on the field and off?

Dan Quinn talked about improving the pass rush going into the playoffs. Is that technique, talent or want-to? Plus, we look into the different playoff scenarios and the possibility of a home game in round one. First and foremost, though, prayers to Damar Hamlin. Last night in Cincinnati was a stark reminder of how difficult and dangerous this game is.

How we feeling about this team now? Hey, they've got 12 wins so why is there still doubt about the playoffs? Is McCarthy's job now secure or do the Cowboys still need to make a postseason run? And how about this: Has Dak reached his ceiling with Kellen? It's a Happy New Year Victory Friday!

We've seen Dallas beat the good teams and lose (or almost lose) to the bad ones, so will they play down to their competition tomorrow? Is this something they can change? Also, why didn't the Cowboys get more love in the power rankings after the win over Philly? And are they playoff ready yet?

Coach McCarthy talked about players staying in their rushing lanes. Should this still be a problem? Nate also explains blocking schemes as Dallas prepares to face one of the best in Jeffery Simmons. And do the Cowboys have enough size on their defense? Which would you rather have, a stud DT or DE?

Are we feeling good about the Cowboys win over the Eagles? You bet! Is Dak Prescott and the offense ready to make a playoff run? Sure looks like it. But, about that defense. They're no doubt good, but are they still great? Is it injuries, wear and tear, scheme? How do they get back to bringing more pressure? Let's celebrate the early Christmas present!

The Boys (and a stolen Christmas tree hat) are talking Eagles ahead of the big game. Can T.Y. Hilton or any of the new guys make an impact? Should Dak Prescott continue to be aggressive? Do things change much for the Dallas defense if Hurts doesn't play? And hey, that's Pro Bowler KaVontae Turpin now!

Is this still a big game for the Cowboys? You bet it is! But what should we worry about more, the Eagles' defensive line or offensive line? And could Kearse be right about some of his teammates? Plus, Jesse explains how one weak link can break down the entire Dallas defense and Nate's got a granddaddy story with dogs, wasps and … lard?

We're celebrating Nate's birthday with cupcakes and (very bad) singing. Plus, Jesse breaks down that questionable third down play-call. If Kellen Moore is going with a pass, why run three vertical routes? And is it time for Dan Quinn to catch a little heat? Opposing offenses seemed to have figured a few things out. Can adjustments be made?

Why do the Cowboys keep having these team-wide lulls? Where is the focus for all 60 minutes? And what's going on with the defense? Are they worn out? Have opponents figured out how to attack them? And was Dak's day good or bad? They say they're still confident, but making the playoffs shouldn't feel this bad, right?

Odell's name keeps popping up. Why? With Hilton possibly playing Sunday, can he step right in? Even if he doesn't know the playbook yet, can teammates guide him in the huddle? Plus, when was the last time the Cowboys had this much depth? And what exactly is that color Jesse is wearing? It's your calls and our predictions on this fine Friday.