Hangin' With The 'Boys: Play the Chains

One key to stopping the Lions? Limit what they do on first down because this is a team that won't hesitate to go for it on fourth down. So can the Cowboys' rebuilt defensive line stop Jahmyr Gibbs and the Detroit ground game? How will things change if star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown doesn't play? Plus, Jesse's key stat and our predictions for Thursday night's showdown.

Was defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus ever really the problem? Or did he just not have the right players to run his system? Well, drop in new guys like Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson, get injured players back like Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson and DeMarvion Overshown and suddenly his defense is working. Plus, despite falling behind early, the Cowboys have been able to battle back. Are they learning how to win?

The Cowboys are coming off a big win, but it's not getting any easier. In fact, they have yet to play a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes this season, a guy who only seems to care about winning or losing, not about stats. Is that a rarity in today's NFL? Also, can Dak Prescott handle the Chiefs blitz? He's been great against it so far this season. Plus, Jesse's key stat and our predictions. Happy Thanksgiving!

With the big trades made this year, and Jerry Jones saying George Pickens will be back in 2026, are the Cowboys finally going to go all-in? Or will it be business as usual? Also, everyone knows CeeDee Lamb is still the man, but does he know it? Plus, fingers, knees and, um, other places, Nate and Jesse talk injuries.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has talked about changing the team's culture. Does the big come-from-behind win over Philly help with that, or do the Cowboys have to take the next two as well to really make things different? Plus, the exceptional play of the defense, what's going on at wide receiver and Dak Prescott's mastery in the pocket. It's Victory Monday!

So was last week a defensive mirage? Or is this unit really as good as we think it is? It's safe to say things are headed in the right direction, but will the Cowboys show up in the pivotal moments? And can they stop Saquon Barkley both on the ground and in the passing game? Plus, Jesse's stat, key players to watch and predictions!

The Eagles have a good record, but are they really that good? With their troubles on offense and the Cowboys improved defense, could Philly be ripe for the picking? And with more push coming from the middle of the defensive line will Dallas be able to contain Jalen Hurts? It's time to find out how good this Cowboys defense really is.

So Jalen Carter will be playing in this game. Just how big of an impact does he have on the Philly defensive front? Like Quinnen Williams, he makes everyone better. And after spit-gate in Week 1, could that ramp up the rivalry another notch? Plus, many are asking if George Pickens has become the No. 1 receiver? Not so fast. Don't let the numbers fool you.

Can one man change an entire defense? In the case of Quinnen Williams, it sure seemed like it. Along with several players returning from injury, the Cowboys defensive unit put on a show against the Raiders. Plus, was not starting CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens any big deal? Regardless, it was a perfect tune-up game in Las Vegas. Let's discuss!

Nate and Jesse dig into the mental intricacies of the game and how players are constantly evaluating their performance, even between snaps. Everybody is fast, everybody is strong, so intelligence and situational football is often the difference. Also, will the Cowboys be re-energized after a tough bye week? Plus, Jesse's stat, key players and predictions.

With all these stud defensive tackles on the roster now, there's been talk about playing some 5-2 alignments on defense. So, should they switch to a 3-4 base to get those guys on the field? Also, how much can we expect from both the new guys and those coming back from injury? Is the defense overall going to look vastly different?

So are the Raiders really as bad as their record? If not, why are they losing? They've got Maxx Crosby, after all. What do the Cowboys have to do to negate him? And will having the game Monday night with an extra day to prepare help much? Plus, after playing themselves and knowing the intricacies of football so well, Nate and Jesse explain what it's like for them watching games live.

As a team getting ready to play the tough half of its schedule, where can the Cowboys find success? Is it simply winning? Is it building an identity? Also, what's going on with the offensive line? Have injuries kept them from finding cohesion? And we were told Brian Schottenheimer started spending more time in the defensive meetings, but now the offense has struggled. Coincidence?

NFL players seem immortal. They are machines who can conquer anything. But in honoring the memory of Marshawn Kneeland, Jesse shares his own mental health journey, telling us what it's really like for the players and the behind-the-scenes challenges they battle daily.

Nate Newton, Shannon Gross and Jesse Holley discuss the latest Dallas Cowboys news and notes on Hangin' With The 'Boys.

Our man Nate has been wanting a big man in the defensive middle for years now, and he was finally rewarded as we found out with breaking news at the top of the show that the Cowboys have acquired Quinnen Williams, one of the best defensive tackles in the league. How big of an impact is this? Is Dallas finally showing signs of going all in? Let's break it down.

So are all these communication issues we keep hearing about really on the coaches? Seems like that's on the guys wearing the jerseys. Also who has been a treat for us to watch this year and, well, you know the other side of that. Plus, Dak Prescott calling plays, the run blocking of Terrence Steele, Jesse's stat, our predictions and more!

Trey McBride might be the most dangerous player on the Cardinals offense, so how do the Cowboys stop him? Can a tight end really beat them? We don't want to find out. Then there's shifty quarterback Kyler Murray, who has never lost at AT&T Stadium. Can the Dallas defense contain not only Arizona's passer but also its leading rusher? Don't let the Cardinals' record fool you.

Is the Cardinals defense tougher than we might think? They play a similar scheme as the Cowboys, and they don't have any big stars, but they've been in every game they've played. So what's the difference? Is Arizona just more consistent and in sync? And because of that, what does the Dallas offense have to do? Be darn near perfect, it seems.

Why have the Cowboys struggled to draft defensive players? Is it because they don't know what they're looking for? After all, Dallas has had three defensive coordinators in three years and different schemes require different players. Plus, would it make sense to use draft capital to bring in new players for the future? Why not get a known commodity or two on defense while the offensive window is wide open?

We've asked it before, and we'll ask it again – what's wrong with the defense? Mental mistakes, physical talent, bad assignments, schemes, it's all not good enough. Is there any hope in sight? Plus, we all knew Dak Prescott would have a clunker of a game eventually. He can't be perfect all the time (though the Cowboys desperately need him to be). Let's commiserate together after a tough loss in Denver.

Could this game in Denver make or break the Cowboys' season? Beat a good team on the road and you could go on a nice streak and maybe be a buyer at the trade deadline. Lose and, well, things get that much tougher. So can Dallas' strength (the offense) overcome the Broncos' strength (defense) in a tough environment? We've got key stats, players to watch and predictions coming your way.

The Broncos offensive line is no joke. Can a Cowboys defensive front that's struggled to stop the run at times match them pound for pound? And quarterback Bo Nix and Denver like the short game with a lot of rollouts and screens. Can Dallas keep him in check? Plus, tackling, double-teams and Nate's thoughts on shaking hands after the game.

Several injured players are now entering the 21-day window to return, including rookie cornerback Shavon Revel. What can we expect from him? Should he be brought along slowly? And is too much pressure being put on DeMarvion Overshown to be the linebacking savior? Plus, will we continue to see more blitzing and man coverage? Sounds like maybe not.

Coordinator Matt Eberflus sure looked happy on the sidelines, and he should have been. Using more man coverage and blitzes, the Cowboys defense played their best game of the season. Now, can they do it again? Plus, with the trade deadline coming up soon, will the Cowboys be buyers or sellers? And Nate shares what it was like seeing some old teammates during the alumni weekend.