Mick Shots: 10-24-25

Heavy concentration on what the Cowboys will face playing the 5-2 Broncos, winners of four straight and playing awfully well on defense. Starting with facing the altitude, then moving on to QB Bo Nix's fourth quarter play the past three games, the defensive scheme to match up with the Denver offense and needing to run the ball for sure.

A wide ranging podcast dealing with this season's Pro Bowl, cutting down the Hall of Fame candidates to 52, a Trevon Diggs concussion update, this tough Broncos defense the Cowboys will face and as for Dak Prescott's season so far, just let the numbers do the talking.

Still heating up victory leftovers, finally getting Everson's take on beating Washington, then putting in perspective the 21-day practice window openings for three players on injury reserve lists, CeeDee and GP playing together, Broncos amazing comeback against the Giants and the trade deadline nearing.

Since it was a Homecoming victory Sunday over Washington, the guys brought back the old offensive line's victory formation, then discuss the defensive transformation, at least for one week, how potent this offense is with another 40-burger at home, a visit from Nate and announcing the 21-day practice window will opening this week for DeMarvion Overshown.

Meaning Fabulous Football Friday, diving into Sunday's Cowboys-Commanders, and surprising Everson and Hek'ma with the news that Trevon Diggs was just placed in concussion protocol and is going to miss the Washington game. Sos discussions took place on how the Cowboys adjust in the secondary, the defensive line play, defending Jaydon Daniels and of course those picks to click and picks.

Time to get ready for the 3-3 Commanders, a team Dak Prescott holds an 11-2 record against but coming in here with plenty of fire power against this struggling Cowboys defense. For the Cowboys this will be all about trying to control QB Jaydon Daniels. But then Washington will have its hands full dealing with a healthy Cowboys passing game.

With Everson back, still trying to make sense of that loss to the Panthers, finally getting his take. Update on owner Jerry Jones talking to the media after an East-West Shrine Bowl event at The Star, featuring his take on the loss to the Panthers, what might happen at the trade deadline and on reinforcements on the way.

The Cowboys had so many chances to emerge winners in Carolina, but too many miscues and a porous defense against the run sent the Cowboys home with an unexpected loss to the Panthers. The guys examine a few critical plays and put some perspective on where this leaves the Cowboys in the big picture.

FFF (Fabulous Football Friday) opens with a discussion of the wide-open NFC East after the Giants dealt the Eagles with their second consecutive loss Thursday night, now no team with fewer losses in the division than the Cowboys two heading into Sunday's game at Carolina. A comprehensive injury update and of course those Picks and Picks to Click.

Time to lock in on the 2-3 Carolina Panthers who sure pose a threat running the football and the improved play of quarterback Bryce Young now in his third season. Some injury updates with 15 players on the Wednesday practice report, 15 listed, with five DNPs and 10 limited. Then some more Pickens and the defensive adjustment at linebacker.

Guys couldn't help themselves talking fingers and chest punches, lapsing into old school corporal punishment and the deeper meaning of this upcoming game against Carolina. Then went way old school when Nate in Frisco couldn't refrain from stopping in during the discussion about going all in on picking up more defensive help and thoughts on Rico Dowdle.

Forty-eight hours later the guys continue talking about the victory over the Jets, including how well Dak played, how coordinated this NFL No. 1 offense seemed, including the ability to run the football, the improved coverage in the secondary and each guy picking their defensive "dog" needing to continue stepping up.

The Cowboys go on the road to win their second game of the season in going-away fashion, with much credit to the offensive, injuries causing four backups to start. You'd have never known. Then the Flournoy effect, Javonte Williams continuing to impress and for a change the defense making key plays.

Time to piece together an offensive line that could be without four of their five starters for the Jets game and then putting some second receiver responsibility on Jalen Tolbert with CeeDee Lamb still missing. Importance of the running game and of course Friday's picks and picks to click.

Bill's late arrival reminds of where head coach Brian Schottenheimer learned much of his football, bringing his dad's book "Marty Ball," maybe one of the reasons the Cowboys have put an emphasis on running the football. Also, a comprehensive look on the number of injuries besetting the team and working Blue.

The Cowboys head back to work, knowing they have a lot of fields to attend to, the defense, like linebacker and secondary, and the of course, Jets QB Justin Fields, the Jets second leading rusher and someone the Cowboys should know all about having faced him last season quarterbacking the Steelers.

Getting down to why the Cowboys tied this game, from the defense's inability to get off the field on third downs to maybe another factor influencing Brian Schottenheimer to kick the field goal on fourth down in OT instead of going for the touchdown. And potential reserve move activations.

This is always the dilemma with ties, should the Cowboys be happy tying a team heavily favored to win, or be disappointed they did not win a winnable game. The offense led by Dak, Pickens and the O-Line put up 40 on the NFL's No. 1 scoring defense, but the defense gave up 40, too, now 33 points a game.

Fight Song Friday starts off with a bang, talking about Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach making a surprise visit to The Star during Brian Schottenheimer's Friday press conference, poking his head into the room to meet the Cowboys head coach. Then it's about Micah's return, picks to click and Roger's presence changing one pick.

A whole lot of talk about eyes recognizing what is taking place in secondary coverage. Then with George Picklens stepping up to help mitigate CeeDee Lamb's absence, which WR now steps up into his role. Banking on Clowney playing and Green Bay's O-Line shuffle.

Enough on the loss to the Bears, time to move on to the Green Bay Packers. And not just on how to deal with Micah Parsons' return, but also focusing on an offense and quarterback Jordan Love, both a handful to deal with. Although how the Pack is using Micah.

Great update on injuries suffered by CeeDee Lamb and Tyler Booker, plus the players expected to be the next man up and the next man after that. One more time going over three defensive play mistakes and how this offense needs to bail out the Cowboys.

The defense giving up big plays let this one get away from the Cowboys, but the offense, knowing it's the lifeblood of this team, never really getting off the ground, scoring a season-low 14 points. And now there is the possibility of going forward without CeeDee Lamb, having suffered a high ankle sprain.