The Cowboys Shift: Freaky Football Friday

On the day before Halloween, when Brian Schottenheimer was met by a costume party in the lobby of The Star, on his way into the press conference room, the guys waited until he finished before diving into what the Cowboys need to do to finally break this Cardinals jinx, having gone 4-0 against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Also, the value of running the ball and picks, picks to click.

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As Javonte Williams tore though the Eagles defense, the guys tore through this podcast with at least 10 different subjects, starting with the Cowboys defensive steps in the right direction in the fourth quarter Sunday, introducing DT Elijah Garcia, Christian Parker earning a game ball, the defense's third-down problems, Tyler Booker standing out and going back in Everson's history vs. Cardinals.

Yes, the guys shifted into high gear after the Cowboys much need 38-21 victory over the Eagles, the win allowing them to stay on the tails of the NFC East leading Giants. Wow, what a difference being able to stick with the run game when not falling three scores behind, the Cowboys offense in high gear, too, and the defense pitches a fourth quarter shutout.

When one team has lost four straight (Eagles) and the other team has lost two straight (Cowboys) and both teams are sitting there at 2-4 and tied for second in the NFL East, Sunday's game between the two is vitally important. The Cowboys must pressure Eagles backup quarterback Tanner McKee and this Cowboys defense has to get off the field on third down. And the guys pick the winner and offer their picks to click on Football Friday.

Since the past two teams have blitzed the Cowboys to control Dak Prescott, the guys discuss what the Cowboys need to do to either block or defeat all this pressure they can anticipate the Eagles bringing. Then the Cowboys defense needing consistency, especially against the run with the likelihood of Eagles RB Saquon Barkley returning this week

Meaning today the guys about covered everything you could ask for, starting with the players day off, playing a third consecutive prime time game, roster moves, former player roster moves, the passing of Cowboys defensive back Cornell Green, the Jalen Hurts health situation and then a robust debate about the need to run the ball more but why if the clock is ticking, you're behind and not running the ball well.

Everson returns to the podcast from his charity golf tournament duties, adding his take on the Cowboys loss to the Packers, and offering great insight on the Cowboys cornerbacks. Discussion turns to Philly QB Jalen Hurts apparently out for the season battling his blood clot ailment. Mickey still battling some officiating calls in the Packers game and a lively discussion on running the ball more or why would you.

The crew breaks down how Green Bay abandoned the run game and followed a similar blueprint to Tampa Bay by bringing pressure on Dak Prescott. They discuss the offense's struggles, George Pickens' lack of early involvement, a key interception, and why the Cowboys' defense couldn't generate enough pressure on the quarterback.

All you need to know about Cowboys-Packers on Sunday night. Once finished discussing Joe Milton to the Eagles and an injury update, here comes a deep dive into the strength and weaknesses of the Cowboys and Packers and how they match up. Two high-powered offenses against these defenses, then of course picks and picks to click, the scores suggesting a shootout.

The Cowboys head to Green Bay with a lot on the line. The crew discusses why the defense needs to play with a chip on its shoulder, how to slow down a Packers team coming off five takeaways, and whether Tyler Smith's can help Dallas establish the run game. Plus, why turning field goals into touchdowns could be the difference on Sunday.

While still looking somewhat back and discussing the potential influence of newly hired senior defensive assistant Mike Pettine, talk turns to meeting the Green Bay Packers Sunday night in Green Bay where the Cowboys have only won twice in their history. Then the need to defeat predictable Packers blitzes and needing to run the ball on the road.

Talk centers on the Cowboys hiring 25-year NFL veteran coach Mike Pettine to become the Cowboys senior defensive assistant to aid first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker with a struggling defense. What he brings. What Parker moving from the sideline to the coaches' booth means. Then defensive players making defensive plays, and meaning of a players only meeting.

After a long weekend around the NFL, the crew takes stock of where the Cowboys stand following their disappointing loss to the Buccaneers and a surprising Sunday that saw every NFC East team fail to win. Mickey Spagnola, Everson Walls, Hek'ma Harrison, and Bill Jones break down the wild endings in the Eagles-Jaguars and Commanders-Giants games, debating clock management, late-game decision-making, and why the Cowboys may have caught a break in the division race.

After a frustrating home loss to the Buccaneers, the crew takes a hard look at what went wrong and whether the Cowboys have reached their lowest point of the season. Bill Jones, Everson Walls, Hek'ma Harrison, and a special call-in from Mickey Spagnola break down the defensive breakdowns, missed tackles, costly penalties, and Tampa Bay's ball-control game that kept the defense on the field for nearly 40 minutes.

The crew gets ready for game day with the latest on the Cowboys' status report, Tyler Smith being spotted at practice, and what to expect from Tampa Bay after they played Green Bay tough. Plus, they make their picks for which player could go off in this matchup.

This became Master's level defensive football talk, Everson talking about how teams should try to cover both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens after CeeDee's 17-catch, 189-yard performance against Houston on Sunday.  Then an emphasis on the Cowboys running game, how important to continue be efficient the way the were on the goal line against the Texans, along with an injury update.

How appropriate Nate was filling in for Everson, the guys performing their game-winning up-and-down shift from there seats, and hailing the Cowboys come from behind gritty victory over Houston thanks to the Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb combo and a defense finding some traction in the second half holding the Texans to two touchdowns, with Schotty calling plays more aggressively.

The guys cover every angle of the Cowboys trade for cornerback Joey Porter Jr., starting with Everson's analysis the Cowboys recent acquisition, and having fun with Walls three-year interception total to that of Porter's. Then how Porter's presence will influence what the Cowboys do on defense, plus Cowboys offense matching up with Texans defense, and of course those Friday picks and picks to click.

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Well, sorta, after a tough morning for some of them, and still debating the defensive alignment on Jackson's 27-yard completion to Zay Flowers to set up the Ravens wining field goal Sunday and reviewing the Cowboys third down play, the guys turned toward winless Houston and a stout defense the Texans possess, plus a couple of the players the Cowboys are signing to the practice squad.

Still too soon to move on from the Cowboys loss in Rio to the Ravens, though not as bad as it once seemed, since 13 off the 16 NFC teams now are either 2-1 or 1-2, the 1-2 Cowboys just one game out of first place in the East. And really even though giving up 34 points the defense is showing some signs of improvement and breaking down the coverage on one Ravens touchdown.

So much good so much disappointing in the Cowboys last second 34-31 loss to the Ravens in Rio Sunday afternoon. The offense scored 31 points but should have scored 42. The defense made some encouraging plays but still got run on. And a great explanation of what the defense needed to do on  the Ravens final play to set up the game-winning walkoff field goal.

The crew breaks down the challenge of slowing down the Ravens' run game and what the Cowboys need to do defensively. Plus, Mickey shares what it's like traveling with the team, why the Cowboys are ready to play no matter where the schedule takes them, and we wrap things up with game predictions for Dallas vs. Baltimore in Rio!

With the Cowboys leaving for Rio Thursday night, talk shifts to what the team will be doing heading into Sunday's game with Baltimore, including being able to examine the grass fields at Maracana Stadium on Saturday and cleats talk. Then analyzing the Ravens defensive personnel and if the Cowboys have the ability to contain both Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.