Cowboys Break: Is This Offense For Real?

season fourteen, episode number sixty. Welcome to a very special edition of The Break, live from SBWBC Mortgage Studios at the Star, and we're so excited to talk Cowboys football today. Cowboys get a huge win, probably the most dominating performance they've had. Nick, I think your article said in the last four years? Is that right? At least at least four years? But the Cowboys win forty seven at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars made that Jaguars Jaguars defense look

pretty pedestrian. We'll get into that and talk about what the Cowboys did well, not only on offense but also on their defense. It was just a dominating performance all the way around. Welcome to show. Thank you guys for joining us. Let's jump right in Let's first start off. There were so many different things that happened in that game, so many different moments in that game. So we'll go around the table on when everybody tell me what moment sticks out to them, what they came away from that

game with as a big picture view. Let's start with you, Dave, what did Okay? I'm glad. Okay, I'm glad the way you phrase that, because my main impression from this is all right, Well, we'll get into the offense. That's great. Good for them, they played a really good game. I can't trust that it's for real until I see it on a more regular basis. What I come away from is once again, this defense, because that is six times that they have been very good borderline elite they held

and Jacksonville's offense is anything to get excited about. I understand that, but seven points they're allowing seventeen point two per game. They are just now over a d They got David Irving back. He looks like he's going to contribute to the pass rush. Shaun Lee is presently as we sit here, he's outside working out despite the fact that it's raining. Totally greatness of that scene, though it's

rain came steady out there. It's it's forty degree. We were shooting a film right now, that would be a pretty epic, like, yes, great shot, but there's no need. Do you got an indoor field where it's warm and good for you to practice in? There no need to get wet. It's forty degrees and storming here in Dallas, by the way, it feels like thirty two because of the wind. Like, it's pretty cool, it's raining. It's switched.

Shawn Lee is out on the outdoor practice field working out his hamstring trying to get right, probably because he thinks he's got a good shot to play against the Redskins. So my point being, defense is only going to get better, and it's dominant already anyway, and they proved it again. So yeah, that really is what I come away from because I need to see more from the offense. The

defense just keeps doing its thing. Amber you know, this isn't even the highlight of what the game was, but I was pretty happy to see Jordan Lewis on the field and making some place and reminding us what he's capable of. And he felt nice to be like, Okay, well I didn't just imagine that he could actually play. He actually made it, came out there and made a name of himself. Also, David Irving coming back again. It's very clear and evident why this team is putting up

with what they've been putting up with. David Irving. He's an absolute beast and he showed it the moment he stepped on the field, pressured the quarterback, didn't get a sack, but man, he is a beast. So that's exciting to see. Man. We'll get into the offense in a little bit. Yeck, well, I mean it is the offense. I mean, no offense to you guys, But you guys aren't really surprised that the defense played well, you have to be surprised with

forty points on the offense. I think that was the key. There. Doesn't matter what they're gonna do next week or whatever. The point is is that they went out played what was the number one defense league, which I don't know if they still are now. Yeah. He asked what I thought it meant in the big picture, which, yeah, absolutely, the offense was the story of the game, for sure, But I think it is the big picture because I think it shows you what they're capable of doing and

that this offensive line is really where it started. It could get back to that type of football where they can kind of dictate things. Now. Jacksonville's defense is still pretty good because they had some issues in the red zone and all that stuff. But I thought they're finally showing that, you know, you don't have to have a pocket passer. You can play the game the way Cam Newton plays it. This is the type of game that

Dat needs to play. He needs to play this type of game right here where he doesn't matter he throws it, he gets two hundred and sixty yards. That's a good offense right there. It doesn't matter how you're doing. It's about two hundred and sixty yards and three touchdowns. That's a good day. Yep. All right, So let's jump in. Let's talk some more specifics. Cowboys offense, which you started talking about, Nick. They scored on their first four possessions.

They got out to a quick start, three touchdowns, one field goal. They had three hundred and seventy eight yards of total offense, forty points. They were seven or seventeen that's forty one percent on third downs, which is a really good number for them. Twenty three first downs in this game, four or five red zone efficiencies. That five of the times they were in side of twenty four those times they got touchdowns and time possession was completely

on their side. Thirty eight minutes and fifty five seconds. Talking to me about the differences, what were the differences and what they did yesterday offensively from what they had done. I guess, really, if you look at the entirety of the season, what was so different yesterday allowed them to score so so quickly and to score consistently throughout the game. Well, I mean there's there's a lot of things you can

you can start with. First of all, penalties. I mean, there's three penalties in the game overall, and that's how many usually are on offense. They were able to They weren't really behind the chains that much. They did a nice job and Beasley got open a lot. You know, they they found the mismatches there with Beasley. You know, as good as Jacksonville, they have weak spots. And those weak spots used to play for Dallas. And if you watch Tyler Patman was bad and Dad called him out

and Barry Church was borderline horrible yesterday. How many times did you see Barry Church whiffing on stuff. So you obways see the hand clappy they found the mismatches there. I mean stay away from Ramsey, which that was pretty awesome after the game, by the way, because that guy hadn't shut up in two years and he didn't he had nothing like what can you say? When you what are you going to say? I thought it was hilarious because before we got into the game last week, Yeah,

you you made a comment about Ramsey. How oh you know he talks to talk, but then he he still will talk if he plays bad and stuff and we'll stand up. I was very great. I love guys that don't shut up. I love trash talk. I admired even more when you back it up after it doesn't go your way and yeah, that's a that's a bad look.

Well that was the theme of the whole day. A guy that actually had gotten his ass kicked in the last in the last month, but comes to town and it's like, oh my god, God showed up, you know, and Connor McGregor, Oh yeah, I was like, drop the presses, like Connor McGregor's here, you know, and and and he created this Oh my god, that was unbelievable. Seeing Jeff, I'm like, I might really seeing this Jeff doing that walk.

I'm glad you brought that up, because that's guy. The thing that the thing that I thought made the biggest difference switch. This is easier said than done. They obviously they attacked like right off the bat. And more important than that, I thought they kept the Jags on their heels like they were. They were not predictable. Shocker. Uh. They what they ran the ball once on their opening possession. Uh. And no, I'm sorry they ran the ball twice and Zeke,

but Zeke only got one carry. The other thing miss direction. You have a quarterback who can run, and it confuses defenses when you use him that way sometimes. Okay, let me throw this this at you though. And I started thinking about this last night because I was trying to figure out what the differences were, and I talked to Brian a little bit about this morning. Some of it

he kind of saw as well. But when you think about it, from the way Jacksonville plays, this is a really good defense and I don't think anything that happened yesterday changes the fact that they're a really good defense.

It has a lot of talent, But I think that the way that they played defense and the fact that they're probably so arrogant about how they played defense could have contributed to why the Cowboys had so much success, particularly in the first half, because really, if you go back and watch that game, by the second half, Cowboys offense wasn't moving the ball at will like they were in the first half. And there were two significant things.

Number One, I think that the fact that they thought that Tyler Patman could handle in man coverage, could handle Cole Beasley, and they were arrogant about the fact that they stick with man coverage most of the time and they were okay with the idea of him covering him. That was a problem, and they acknowledged that by the second half when Aja Booyer started and Booya started, Karen started covering him in the second half. The other thing is the fact if they don't blitz, they only bring

four guys pretty much the entire game. When you start talking misdirection and stuff like that. I think that's factors in just as much because we didn't see a lot of situations yesterday where if you're singing, sitting an extra guy a lot of times when that quarterback tries to boot out, there's a guy usually in his face because

they've got more guys coming than just four. I think both of those two things factored into why the Cowboys were so successful in the first half and maybe not as much in the second half when they started to adjust a little bit. What you guess think, I absolutely think much like the Cowboys have done in the past, I think the Jags came in and said, are eleven. Are way better than you're eleven, and we can play the way we want to play. We talked about a

little bit of it. To your point, I don't understand how you can look at this, and I'm happy they played it this way, but I don't understand how you can look at this Dallas receiving corps and not have it be part of your game plan that either Ramsey or Buoye is gonna follow Beasley wherever he goes, Like wet, we can't have him down in the slot with Beasley because we need him out here. Hearns who's got eighty four yards all year? Like really, that's the hill you

want to die on? H thank thank thank you, Jaguars, Like I appreciate that, um, but they couldn't do it. And even more so than that, I think they they loaded up and said, you know, we got Telvin Smith and Miles Jack and we're gonna stop you from running it up the gut. And the Cowboys were like, okay, thank you very much. I'm gonna pull this and run it right around the left side for seventeen yards. And yeah, it looked like it took him some time to adjust

to it, which it's kind of surprising. And Miles Jack to me, I mean as good as they are like in pass coverage, I mean, those guys are like big safeties, you know. In fact, my Miles Jack was a guy that they thought maybe was going to be a safety. So when you could run at them, they are very fast,

but they're not guys that I mean. I saw Rico Gathers and Telvin Smith going at it all all game like blocking was I thought Rico did a nice job on him, so yeah, I mean he's again it had another nice nice catch and um, you know it was it was just it was a dominated effort. And I think it starts with that offensive line. I really do think the Cowboys offensive line had had a really nice game and Zeke, you know ran the ball hard. I mean, it was just they just were one step ahead of

them all over the place. You mean, when you want, when you want a team to do a complete game, you want them to run the ball well, receivers, get open quarterback, make plays on defense, fly to the ball, make turnovers, you know, get pressure, cover your guys, don't have penalties on special teams. And it was just probably just the most perfect game you could actually play. Yea. And credit to the play calling too, you know, the coaches.

I think they did a really nice job, specially because we've seen far too often where certain plays that work, they'll just stop doing it, And this time, I mean they were able to keep it going and keep sending out making those right calls to that would work, especially with Dad, you know, running the ball, finding Cole Beasley. That's what I've been saying all year long. Why can't you just find coal? Which is hard to do when

he's being covered and stuff. But a lot of times we've seeing how he is open and they haven't been able to utilize him well enough. And this time obviously worth and I think the energy was outstanding the fact that you could tell they were having fun on the field. That helps a lot. When you're averaging twelve yards per play. Football's a lot of fun. That's what Beasley said it like five times last night. He was like, this game is a lot more fun when you win, and you know,

when you're part of the everything's clicking. I mean, that's the thing. It's it's rare in an NFL season when everything is clicking like like it was yesterday. That's fun when everything's clicking for your team. But most teams experienced it that. At the best, there are two or three games in a season where everything's clicking like that. It just it just makes me wonder. And all credit to the Cowboys, like they played great. They I mean they

were basically flawless. But even okay, you saw a matchup you liked, and clearly they did, like they knew Beasley was going to eat on Patman because that said, Beasley knew from two day that he was going to have a chance to do this. Even still, even if you like that matchup, like, is that all it is? That you can do this against the best past defense in the NFL. But you know, the Houston Texans, who are are awful by any objective standard. I mean, twenty seventh

in the league. Even if they're making a concerted effort, you still can't find ways to make it happen. I mean, is it really that easy. It's just like, well, the matchup was more favorable, right. I do think in today's NFL, I think teams are a lot closer than everybody gives them credit for, which means that those slight differences is

where you can sometimes find. And that's why I talked earlier about the arrogance of which, yeah, they do it, and the Cowboys the same way Gol was getting too, that mole of our eleven is better than you're eleven, and that arrogance can sometimes lead them to not take advantage of other opportunities or try to extend themselves beyond just what they think they do best. And I think that was clearly, in my opinion, that was clearly the

Gate yesterday. It's it's and I really I'm not trying to take any credit away from Cole Beasley or Dak Prescott. They were both great, and I was happy for Cole that he kind of got the chance to shut some people up. But it's I mean, it's crazy to me that, like the Houston Texans can take away Cole Beasley just completely, and then like the Jags, the Mighty Jags, it's just like they didn't have an answer. Look at his numbers first half and second yeah, and it tells you all

you need to know. Like in the first half, he was having his way on that field. By the second half, it all kind of screeched to a halt, like the offense just wasn't moving a lot, and the turnovers made a big difference, which when you get in that kind of game, the defense can create some of those turnovers for you. If that, and there's a lot more that

goes into it. They ran the ball well, and I mean, da Dak until he proves that he is a more consistently good pocket passer, he needs to be carrying the ball like that every week. I think man eleven carries is a lot, but at least six, if not eight, You know that needs to be an element in this offense. I think, if you're gonna be balanced and successful. But we see how much better this thing looks when Cole easily is part of it, and you just, I mean, you gotta do more to get him involved, even if

it's not always going to be that easy. Clearly, it just makes so much difference. Let's take our first break. When we come back, I do want to talk about the Jacksonville I'm sorry. I want to talk about the offensive line for the Cowboys, how they performed yesterday, and then we'll get into the Cowboys defense. Was that when we come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. If you're like me and you love I mean, if you have a thing, then cutting the chord is scary.

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big win yesterday, forty to seven. They blasted Jacksonville Jaguars. It was their first win like that in a very, very long time. We're breaking it down for you guys. Let's talk now about this offensive line. I made the point last week that I believe that the offensive line was part of a big part of the reason why this team had not been as successful early in the year. Yesterday, I think they did a lot to kind of go the opposite way. They were pretty good most of the game.

I still think they had some areas where it wasn't quite the same. I'm still a little bit concerned about Tyren Smith we're all just he's not as dominant as he once was in my opinion. But all that being said, I think they did far more than necessary yesterday to get a win. They were, they were pretty dominant. What do you guys think? I thought Tyrn Smith had a good game. Um, you know, I'm the other guy over there. I don't know ninety one. He's a good player. I mean,

I don't even know how to pronounce his name. Jannick and Gagway. He's a pro bowler and he plays like one. And I mean it was it was a tough battle there. But but I mean for the most part, I mean that that offensive, that defense up front for Jacksonville. You're not gonna face a front better than that. So for Connor Klai Campbell was pretty quiet. Most yeah, I mean the league. I mean, I I we're doing a top ten list of of performers that played in the game.

What would do every Monday. I don't know what Brian and Rob will vote, but I know that that Dave and I put um Lyle Collins on there. I thought Lyle had a really really nice game, and Connor Williams obviously, I mean they did a good job. You seen holding penalties. Really was there a holding? Lyle had a block in the back which on Fairy Church, which was not necessary. The play was pretty much done anyway. But but just I thought the offensive line that was as good as

game as they've played. And I think I don't know if they'll face a defensive front seven that's better than that. I don't know that one next week we'll get into that. I mean the one coming up against the Redskins. That's a pretty good defensive front that quietly has become a pretty good I haven't time since the Breeze put up fifty on them, So I don't I don't know. Maybe they're good. I know that, yes, can't put up that

that kind of firepower. But I'm just saying I watched them play against New Orleans and yes, we'll see, Yeah they got some players. Well, I'll just say they got some players. They will break it. Alabama. I don't think Washington's as talented as Jacksonville. No, No, but I don't have that pretty good the Texans. I think they're pretty good. I think they're pretty good. We'll see, Yeah, we'll see. Um. I it's it's felt like Tyron Smith is not bad.

He's a good player, and he's been way more good than bad throughout the season, but maybe he's just not the world erasing you just can't beat him left. I mean, I really think like from fourteen to sixteen, I don't think there was a better left tackle. I include like Joe Thomas and that um he was amazing, Like it was staggering to watch how easily he just kicked people around the field. And no matter how great the opponent he was going up against, they still didn't get around him.

That's the part. And I again, I hope nobody took day no and that that was one play where and it didn't end actually ended up in a positive play for the Cowboys. Cowboys completed a pass off of it. But Ba would whatever his name is and got twenty two career sacks. Guys, I know, I just gotta don't have no his name. But anyway, he just went like right around Tyron on one play and it was it was it was just like wow, I can't believe he beat Tyron like that. But again, this is not saying

that Tyron is a bad player. It's saying I'm not used to get beat at all. This is a guy that's that great. That is exactly the point I was trying to make. And I mean we saw Frank Clark. Frank Clark had plenty of success against him. Granted that's on the road. Uh. And obviously you know Watt and Clowney are a handful for anybody. But that's that's the point. Is like, I'm just I'm used to being like, oh, yeah, Tyron's just gonna do this for three hours and it's

gonna be laughable. And and he might not be that guy anymore. That doesn't mean he's not a great left tackle, but it is. It's weird trying to kind of adjust your expectations verse like this is the best Like me and Nick argued as recently his last year, I was like, Tyron's the best player on this roster, no doubt about it at the end of discussion. For me and I certainly I don't feel that way through five six games this year. Uh. That's not to say he's not a

good player. It's just something that I'm adjusting to and keeping an eye on this year, right. Um. And that's kind of how I feel about the entire offensive line, to be honest with you, Like they're obviously capable of dominance. I mean, run for two hundred yards against this defense and and eat, you know, just chunk yardage, and and Dak got sacked three times, but that doesn't tell the story. But so that's still really good, but just again maybe not on that world beating level that we got used

to seeing for a few years. I think the big picture take out of this is just kind of what we had said earlier, is that you know, you you you have it out there now of what this team can do um and you know that every game is going to be different with different challenges. But you know, if you try to make two runners out back there with Dak and Zeke and kind of if you're gonna if they're gonna blitz like that, you got a big, strong quarterback that can get away from it and run.

And you know these some of these eighty two yards, some of it was designed, some of it was just Dak being a good athlete. So I just think that you know, they they are gonna have different challenges every week, but this this shows you right here that they can put up some big time points, especially at home. We'll see what happens on the road, but you know, I'm not really I'm not one to say that this is even an issue yet people A lot of people are, But I don't really think it is versus not yet

road me too. It's the same way. I mean, it's something to be it's something to be aware of. I don't know if I necessarily think it's yet that. I think only because if Dad doesn't get that fumble against Detroit, they probably lose to the Lions at home. They need seven more yards for Maha to get a field goal on the road. Very one play here and there, and then we could have had a different thing. But it's not getting lasted on the road, and they're winning big

at home. I just think it's kind of how things are falling a little bit that don't go they don't go on the road for a while, because I mean, it's account they winn this game in the home. This is a home crowd for them. I love Nick. Nick just like, yeah, no, that's the way it's gonna be. Because I said so, Well, i mean remember that game that you went to that they lost in Washington. Remember that? Nope, remember that game too? Honestly different. Well, we'll we'll get

into that later. In the week, just plenty to discuss ild I'm I was going to pick them to beat the Redskins even if they lost to Jacksonville fifty to nothing, like they beat the Redskins. But that's what I think. I can't just act like I know that's going to happen. Good will change. They really no, Like I'm comfortable like I'm picking the Cowboys to beat the Redskins today Wednesday, Friday. I don't care. I don't do the past experience just it.

I mean, they yeah, basically, and I think that matters indivisional rivalries. It doesn't matter when you're like, oh, last time they played the Texans five years ago, when the two teams like that is ridiculous. But these teams know each other really well. The main reason to do it, it might seguay into what you're about to say, is

defense is nasty defense, which really good. And that's the point that I That's why I made that point at the top of the show, is like I don't know how this is going to translate to FedEx Field, Like I had offense next to no confidence that they can do that again. I need to see it again, I even again. I mean even when they beat Detroit at home, they scored two touchdowns like they had you know, they were kicking field goals left and right. I gotta see more.

But the defense has basically kicked ass. They were pretty sloppy in the first half again Carolina first half of the season opener, and after that, it's been really impressive every single I mean, I mean, I know that this team doesn't always make good decisions all the time. I mean, no one does. But you talk about a couple decisions that have been questioned a lot around here. April drafting

Laton vander esh in first round. Okay, so far he looks like a really damn good player, cutting Dan Bailey, and getting Brett Maher. I mean, there were people in this room that didn't know if that was such a good idea. Yeah, but hold on, and I want to speak for you guys a little bit. Please don't honestly don't think that you guys were against the move. I

think you guys were against how it went down. Yeah, So I don't think anybody I don't think there were a lot of people that said, oh my god, you cannot do this, because there's no way Brett Maher is going to be better than Dan Bailey. I just think people were upset that it went down the way that it did. You were upset, particularly that it was no

competition in your opinion. Yeah, but either way, either way we had They thought that Bailey was going to struggle, and they didn't want three million dollars on the hook if he did, and so they thought this guy also could. It was a machine like and even so far as been a rest in the league. Right now, will you were telling me? For he's got the best percentage among kickers who have attempted as many field goals two miss one first kick. You know, it sounds like Dan Bailey,

doesn't it. Kansas City, Kansas City's Guy Butcker and Graham Gano and Carolina and Matt Bryant and Atlanta are all still perfect, but they haven't they haven't kicked as nearly as many field goals. And he's also three or three from fifty plus, which that that puts him in very nice company. Um. I agree. I appreciate you saying that, Like I never had a problem with him being the kicker. I had a problem with the way they did it.

Even still, if I'd known how he'd looked through six weeks, I wouldn't have been I would be like, whatever, sorry, Daniel, when you got you gotta go, I mean, and and looking at what Dan has done too, I think it kind of just reaffirmed the fact that what they believed, which is they didn't think he was quite right right, and what he's done so far in Minnesota suggests he's

not quite right. And going back to the linebacker thing, it started before that they had they let go of a really good player and Anthony Hitchens, And yeah, they would have had to pay the money for that, but you know, they probably knew they were gonna cut DEAs anyway, so they had it. But you know, drafting Vanderesh and now I think they've got probably two of the best inside backers in the league. It's really you know, this is something that I've thought a lot about over the years,

just with how the game has changed. But like a lot like running back, like you could at least try to make an argument that linebacker is becoming obsolete, at least the way that you think of linebacker play. But then you see what these two guys can do, Like if you have the right linebackers like super freaks, like Laton Vanderesh and Jalen Smith who can who were fast enough to do things in coverage and physical enough to

handle the run. It makes a difference. And I mean we see that with Jacksonville too, That's part of what makes their defense so good. But if you can get your hands on those guys, you can do a lot of fun stuff. And I like that's easily one of the top two or three storylines of the season, is how it's good those two look. We will talk about it later in the week, maybe tomorrow, about what you do with shan Lee when he comes back and how he integrates back into that. But you look at how

these two guys have performed since he's been out. I think it's been remarkable. It's a stark contrast to what we've seen in past years when when you lose Shawn Lee and the defense just goes to hell. And it has not been that this this year. This last game, Jalen had nine tackles and a fumble recovery and Layton had ten tackles and a pass defense. And by the way, that pass defense was as good a pass coverage as you'd see from a defensive back. It looked like Byron Jones. Yeah,

it was classically good. Our friend of ours, Jeff Sullivan, tweeted this morning, I didn't realize this. Layton leads the team with fifty one tackles, sixth in the league, and since the NFL started tracking tackles, a rookie has never led the Cowboys. Yep. So that just gives you an idea of I mean, he'd see he's for they are balling, and it's gonna be interesting to see. I don't think

that you can city the one of them down. So at the best case scenario for Sean, it's gonna be a rotation, I would think, And that's a great rotation to have when you got three guys that caliber being able to play and maybe just maybe less less reps for Shan means he can stay a little more healthy and you can keep him around. Sean would be okay with that. Yeah, Honestly, I don't think Sean's the same

as like what Jason was. What Jason was like literally they maybe try to send somebody on the field, and Jason's like, get off the field. Yeah, I don't think Sean's that guy. I really think Jason would have ever allowed the training camp thing to happen like that where you miss so much in training camp and hold back. I mean, there are ways to do this. This isn't

like tight end. This definitely isn't like quarterback. There's ways to you know, Dave, you always say three guys to play two, you've got Nickels situations, there are there are spots to do that and rotate these guys in. And let's not forget I mean it's a physical position for those two young guys as well. They are very physical players. I mean I know Layton. I saw three or four times he was something's wrong with his hand or some issue.

He kept shaking it after every play. He kept making tackles, but he's got some kind of issue there. So you know, I think it'll be good on all of them to kind of rotate in there. There were also moments yesterday when Jacksonville would go three wide and the Cowboys stayed in their base defense. So that's also something to consider because they got two linebackers or really three in this

instance that they think cover really well. Sometimes they can stay in base and deep offenses can't dictate to them. You gotta go to Nickel when you get to three wide. They can actually keep their base defense on the field and feel like they can probably handle it pretty well. All right, let's go ahead and take our final break. When we come back, we do want to dive in a little bit more with defense and talk about some of the things they were able to do yesterday. Well

that when we come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. While a player can look good on paper, it's when he's out on the field that you really find out what he's made up. That's why the Cowboys rely on more than staffs and scouting reports when building their team. When picking a tractor, it's why you should rely on more than specs and features as well. You got to take it out and put it to the test the Cowboys did when they named John Deer their

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to do it. Tommy John Shop Exclusive Cowboys Underwear, Tommy John dot com, Forward Slash Cowboys protect the Thank you, Nick. Let's get back into a Cowboys defense yesterday. Listen to some of these numbers they were. They only gave up two hundred four total net yards only three of twelve possessions.

They allowed the Jacksonville offense past midfield. Think about that, twelve times they had the ball, only three times they even got past mid feel they only allowed first downs on nine I'm sorry, they allowed one or a few or first downs on only nine of the twelve possessions. And there was only one possession in the entire game of the twelve possessions they had or the Cowboys allowed them to have two first downs. Think about that, not touchdowns,

not field goals, like two first downs. That's what the Cowboys allowed only on one of twelve possessions. Dominating, absolutely dominating performance by the defense. I'll say it again, like that's that. If the Cowboys are going to turn this thing around, they obviously need that. Well turnaround sounds harsh since they're three and three now, but if they're going to play better more consistently, their offense obviously has to keep doing that. But the defense being what it is

is what really gives me the most confidence. Defenses travel, like people like to say, and they have been consistent over six weeks. They have not let a team score more than twenty four points six weeks into the season. Yep, that's pretty impressive. There are a few guys I want to point out individually. We talked about David Irving a little bit. He returned yesterday, had two tackles, one tackle, four loss when QB hit. How much did he play and what was your assessment of his play overall in

those snaps he played twenty two snaps. He well, obviously much more that you would probably expect for a guy to have. Yeah, actually I asked him. I asked him about that after the game and he was like, yeah, they told me ten to fifteen, but I knew that was a lie. Which. Yeah, he showed a lot, he had the juice. Um Amber brought it up, but it seemed like he tapered off. You know, I'm sure he was amped. I'm sure he was excited. He you know, we were talking about it before the show. He might

have blocked a punt if he hadn't gotten held. I think it was their first punt of the game. He broke right through the line, so I'm sure he kind of got worn down. He hadn't played football in a year. But if that's your first impression after a year off, I'm more than happy with it. Yeah, yep. Let's talk about about Randy Gregory. Yesterday he had a sack, three tackles, two tackles for loss. That was really the first game in my opinion, that he kind of showed up in

a way that was tangent. What did you guys think and what do you think that maybe means for the future here? Well, I mean, you're right, he hasn't been that consistent. Um he got a chance to play a little bit more with Um DeMarcus Lawrence kind of limited with it with an injury, So you know, I thought I thought he was really active. That's all that you're really looking to do there, Especially in the run game. You think he's gonna get around the edge and create

some pass rush. But I thought he did a decent job in the run game. Running laterally, I thought he did a nice job. Cheeto didn't play much that Cheeto did not play, did not play at all. No, Okay, but that being said, yeah, I mentioned Malie Collins too. Okay, I'm gonna get to him. I'm jumping around. Well, you're in the lines. It might as well just I'm jumping around ghetting everybody. Okay, but but talk to me about Jordan Lewis. Talk to me about Anthony Brown. How they performed,

I guess without Cheeto being in the lineup. I talked to Jordan last night too. I said, is it fair to say that this has been a frustrating month for you leading up to this? And uh, you know, he did his best to downplay it, and you know, he said, he said, Chris Rahshard calls him the relief pitcher, is like, we know you can play, but we need you in case when these guys go down. And that's what happened.

Chido hasn't been able to go in the last six or so quarters, and I thought, he's he's played great and I'm yeah, he recovered the fumble, but he was making tackles in space and had great coverage. Absolutely got them off the field on a drive that otherwise would have kept going. So m he was. He was pretty shaky in the preseason and obvious, you know, had the bad play against Detroit, but the way he has rebounded from that is very very impressive. Talk about Malik Collins

amber One tell us how how Malik played yesterday. I think they did really good. Uh, taking into consideration the time that he's been out and coming off from an injury. He's had something wrapped around his knee since we got here pretty much, I think I've seen him every day with a thing wrapped around there. So it was really nice to see him get his first attack and helping the line. I think when you put all those guys together, even including David Irving back in there, you could really

see the difference that makes on the line. As well as Randy Gregory. I think that had a lot to do with his performance last night and how that affects everyone on the line. It creates a different kind of energy and he gets everyone going. And obviously you can't focus as far as their offensive line. You can't put all your focus on one person when you have so many great guys there. That's going to create opportunities and holes for some of your guys to break in and

get to the quarterback. Yeah, Jeff, he got the first interception of the season for the Cowboys, and it was a pretty I'm sorry season Yeah, yes, the first yesterday, but the second for the season second. Sorry, but but it was a I think a needed thing that we needed to see them get some interceptions. It was a good play by Byron Jones to get to get the ball.

I had this conversation last night with another be writer, like live live in the moment, You're like, what a play by Byron Jones, And I think it was late and vander esh Or it was a linebacker, Like, what a play by Byron Jones to back that up for Heath. Then you look at it again and you're like, oh, way to go, Heath, You're in the right spot. And by the third time I watched it, I was like, cash the ball, Byron, Come on, man, that should have

been yours. Which no, I mean, great play, Heath. It probably doesn't get returned if Byron picks it off, but like cat catch the ball. I mean, that's all good, But at the end of the day, is on to somebody intercepted it? Really don't care. I mean, you know, I mean that's just right, But usually don't have three guys around the ball. So what if it's just one on one you turn around and it hits you in the face and goes down to the ground. I mean, then it's now it's a come on, man, it's it is.

It's a nitpick. Especially, I mean Jeff had a fifty yard return. It was great and like I said, it put him in better position. But Byron probably should have had it. And that's also what you expect from your safeties is being able to be in the right place at the right time. Is about most of the interceptions in the NFL. Most of them happened because there's a

tip pass and somebody's in the right spot. Most of the time, it's a say it's not forget that Layton Vanderish was also down the field, like his hands up. And I mean people think people think I'm kidding when I call Jeff Heath the goat, and I don't know how to explain it, but like that is a that is a talent, and I don't know how to explain it. But like he's always where he needs to be when that happens, he's just one step away from being great. I feel that he he's always close to being at

the right place. At the right time. And again when you come when you talk about interceptions and stuff like that, usually it's Jeff Heath making those plays. It's always Jeff Keith. So I don't know, but he's always right there. Borderline, he's he was pissed that Woods got on the board first. He's like, I'm not giving up my crown as reigning interception king just yet. Like people can laugh all they want.

He's always there when when when that opportunity arises. We'll take some calls to you, guys, give us a call. Numbers eight eight eight eight five five two two nine seven. Again it is eight eight eight eight five five two two nine seven. I will take this one. Comment from Twitter, Antoine Ferris says they were up thirty something points by mid third. They clearly took their foot off the pedal

and pressed cruise control. The Jacks didn't stop them. I feel like the Dallas media today is throwing cold blanket on this win. I'll ask you, guys, do you think that in the second half, or do you make much of the second half that the Cowboys weren't scoring as easily or as frequently, or do you think it was just one of those situations where you kind of play the game that's given to you. Get to the second half, you're up by a lot, you just play that game.

You play a little more conservative, Maybee maybe in order to ensure that you don't mean give them the opportunities. They managed the game perfectly. I had a couple of people on Twitter say that to me that it helps when you don't have to manage the game. That's not true at all. I think Garrett managed the game perfectly. They only say that though in a loss. But the only way you're going to lose that game is if you let Jacksonville's defense make a lot of plays. It's

not about being conservative, it's about being smart. But Lake Bortles is not going to drive the ball down the field consistently and get you back in the game. So don't do anything stupid. Just keep running the ball, being a little bit exotic at times, make field goals, and keep adding on to the lead. I mean, I heard the same thing they let their foot off the gas. If you can outscore someone sixteen to seven in the second half and that's that's with your foot off the gas,

that's pretty impressive. It just shows how much you were speeding in the first half. Yeah, perfect win. Who's throwing a cold, wet blanket on the win? Like, I haven't heard that anywhere? I think, if anything, what does that mean? Like people aren't giving the Cowboys enough credit? Like you throw a wet blanket on a fire to put it out, helping you out with this? You know idioms if you will, um.

I If anything, I think people are just confused. I mean, like you know, I mean like the way you say that, confused to go from twenty sixth in total offense and really like not looking great in any game you've played, even your smashing the best defense. I think people are confused. But I haven't seen anybody downplaying it. And yeah, like get out of here with that, taking your foot off

that you won forty to seven in the NFL. This ain't college where you know ls you played Southeastern and you wish the backups had played a little better after halftime, Like this is pro football. The starters are gonna play until the very end of the game. Dak didn't come out until there were less than five minutes left in a thirty three point win. I yeah, I thought, I mean, obviously you're not going to be going for the throat the same way when you've got a twenty four point

lead in the second half. But they scored two touchdowns, they forced takeaways, and then the best part, you know it kind of it looked a little dicey the third quarter. There what Jacksonville had their best drive of the day. They hit DD Westbrook on play where you know they got the Cowboys out of it. You know, they were in a bad coverage for that call. And then the Cowboys buckled down, went back, answered with a fuel goal, picked off Bortals on the next Jacksonville possession, and had

a thirty to seven lead five minutes after the fact. Like, I don't buy that at all. I thought they played great all the way through. I will say this, I think that maybe what he's referring to when he says that is that I don't know that there's anybody that's committed to the fact that this means that the Cowboys offense has found its rhythm and they're ready to roll.

I think there's still some caution and some optimism. I am cautiously optimistic that they will find that they will be better as we keep going, But I do think there were some things in this game that were unique to this game that they may not see when they get to Washington. So I'll be interested to see how well the offense plays against the new challenges. Nick, you said, Ali,

every game's gonna have as different challenges. I think the arrogance of this defense was that they were willing to try what wasn't working, and they stuck with it so long that the Cowboys just got out to such an insurmountable lead that they really weren't gonna They don't have the offense that's going to come back from something like that.

I don't know that you're going to run into that with the next defense that you again, that's it's still crazy to me that, um, you know, I mean we've been on this show, Nick's, we've all said it, like the I mean, the blueprint for stopping this team is bracketing Cole Beasley and stuff in the box to stop the run, right, and the Jags have a better cornerback duo than anybody in the NFL. And it's just if really that's all it is. They're so arrogant that they're like,

our fifth guy can handle it. Like then they're stupid. I mean, well, they did for the first half. They were like Patman's good, He's all right, keep it going, let's go whatever. You know, we talked about talking about these five plays. We don't have to get to all of them, but I do think the number one, the one that I put on here was the early past the gallop. I think changed a lot of things because number one, it kind of put them in a mindset of you know what, yeah, we can move the ball,

we can make some plays here. And also it opens things up for bees when you start doing things like that, when you're like, at least you have it in there to know that gallup can go make a play or somebody down the field. I thought that was a key play for confidence for the fans, for everybody to kind of get in the game and wonderings this team ever gonna score. Yeah, yeah, they're gonna they're gonna drive the ball,

and then they're not afraid. And I thought that passed right out there really set the tone for a lot of things that happened the rest of the game. Yeah, and you know the interesting part yesterday I thought there was some really really and that actually they're showing it right now for you guys that are watching that that play to Gallop book that should have been a touchdown. It was amazing that he hung in the hairs down right,

but imagine how long that meant. He just hung in the air for an extra for an extra moment where your foot should come down. This is what said, NA, I'm gonna stay up on him though, right, No, it's absolutely on him. All I'm saying, though is All I'm saying though, is And I think that was an example of it. There was some moments yesterday when Dak made some really great throws. I mean some really great throws, and I talk about it a lot on this show that I'm not seeing enough of those, so I would

give him credit. Yesterday he made some really really great throws that a NFL quarterback has to be able to make if you're going to be success. He did. His receivers also made some plays. I mean, obviously Gallup didn't catch that, but that was an amazing effort. Beasley. I don't think it was a touchdown. I think it was a third down conversion, but like the ball was above him and behind him and he just went up and got it. Yeah, you got it. That's a part of

the game. People. Everything's not gonna be perfect, right, Yeah, And it wasn't even a completion, but Alan Hearns did a great job forcing Jalen Ramsey out of bounds on that would be pick like you. I mean, the stat line doesn't reflect it because Beasley was the only receiver that really had a day. But I thought they played as well as they have all year. I agree, Nick, you got into it. Let's get to some of those other plays. The five plays that people might miss that

they should not miss. That that passed the gallop was the one that started in the first quarter. Going back into the first quarter, Cowboys led three nothing. Jacksonville punted from their own twenty eight holding penalty because David Irving is probably gonna block it. It was a bad punt, just thirty yards. Then I don't I hate this rule, but you can add the ten yards to the punt. I think you should get one one or the other.

But whatever, the Cowboys punted. The Jacksonville punting from the twenty eight, they ended up starting at the forty eight, so just a twenty yard net. Cowboys took that and went and scored. I thought that that holding punt holding on the punt with a with a really you know, short punt. That was that gave the Cowboys a good position there. Um Dax double dribble for a first down. I mean, I mean, I don't know what's going on. The ball doesn't just bounce up to you, but it

did for a time twice. That was it was about to be a five yard loss. He gets seven yards for a first down. They go and get a touchdown on that. Later in the second quarter. This this was a huge play. Seventeen to nothing. They're about to punt twelve minut on the field for the jack for the Jaguars. I forgot about fourth. That was fourth and one. Enormous Cowboys get that five yards to go down. Score beasily twenty four to nothing at the half. I mean that

that right there was a play of the game. And then after Jacksonville score twenty four seven, you're kind of thinking, all right, they're gonna go three and out the crowd, you know, the Jaguar was about to get into this. Dak goes for twenty eight yards on that scramble. That changed everything. They went down and kicked a field goal. Um. I did watch the game last night, and I remember that Dede Westbrook had a dropped pass that Bordles was kind of flipped it out there. Yeah, and that was

have been a first down. He dropped the first possession of the game. It was the second quarter. Okay, it was second quarter, but still it was like seventeen nothing. They needed to do something there, So that that was kind of big. But those six plays right there were ones. I thought it kind of changed things. Hard to find him when you're forty to seven. I really love that. Obviously there was an element of designed run in the game plan for Dak, but I love that he did both.

And I mean, it just it needs again, it needs to be I think. I mean that his career high before this game was only forty five, which is surprising. Then what did it just the other day? I mean went against the Giants. Yeah, it was three weeks ago, four weeks ago. Um, so who who has the record for rushing yards? And I mean, I know it was second was still ninety or nine to something like that. I just you know, and he doesn't mean he's amazing for back in that day. For him to still hold

that record, it's pretty pretty interesting. He he doesn't need eighty two, but you know, if he has thirty five, that's a couple key first downs and maybe a touchdown, and it keeps defenses guessing. I just I think it needs to be part of what they do weekly. Even if defense is key on it, they still need to try to get it to, you know, get it started. One thing that hasn't really been talked about and is the injury to Tavon Austin. He left the game with

the joint injury. I don't know it because of was it because of score or what? Did he have to leave the game? He looked, I mean doesn't look They haven't given us much of an update. Jason Garrett didn't have a lot to say about it. Surprised to be place. He wasn't injury, he was. He was on the ground for a while, like he I mean, he wasn't. He didn't. He didn't look like he was in a good way and he went to the locker room right after. And for a guy who's that's that's that's what he does. Yeah,

I would guess it might be Bryce Butler time. Yeah, and that bye week coming up a help, Yeah, it helps. And it's kind of also just it's really easy to say all right, let's justify this week, which I know we touched on this a minute ago, but were people were talking about that on Twitter last night and I agree, um,

bye week coming up. I know he was just out here, but like, I'm not in a huge hurry to put Sean Lee on the field if I don't have to, and I don't know, you don't have to like the way these guys are playing, you really feel like you could you could give him another week to get right. Yeah, he's not. These guys aren't track guys like like Tavon Austin, but you know, the Jets sweep. I mean you can do things with guys. I mean Michael Gallup can run that. I mean there are guys that can run that type

of play. I don't think it has to be just out of the play the playbook. I don't know if I want Bryce doing it, but I mean somebody like that continues to work damn near every time they pull it out, even though they don't like to. Yep, Yeah, and they I mean they've they've done it with lesser guys in the past, so I think you can get away with that. I mean, there's a way to diference used to run it. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. There's

a way to do it. And the thing about it is it just keeps it just keeps the defense off balance. So even if you pick up five six yards. I saw the Patriots last night in their game, they'd use Edelman. I think he got six yards on it, like he's not a speedster. But the point is it just keeps the defense. Bounce's one extra thing that yeah, I agree with. Yeah, fast guy and get him around the edge. The blueprint is going to be load up and stop Zeke from

here into eternity. So anything I can do to create even a smidgeon of misdirection and second guessing, I want to do it. Yeah. And I will say this too, Nick, I want to go back to that play that you were talking about, with that punt, without that that penalty, the Cowboys give the ball back, that would have been the first time in that game. It's weird to believe, but that would have been the first time in that game the Jacksonville defense would have stopped the Cowboys from

scoring on a drive. Instead, the Cowboys going to a sixteen play drive that took up seven minutes and fourteen seconds and ended in a touchdown that gave them the three touchdowns and a field goal for the entire for all four possessions that they had there in the first half, that was, in my opinion, that was may have been the play of the game that nobody remembers. Yeah, and you know what I've been doing this twenty years that I haven't had assistant coach that I like as much

as Jod Camillis. He's my favorite assistant coach of all time. And you know, it was a tough day for him for the Jaguars. He's over there in Jacksonville, and you know, to have the twelve men on the field, and then I also have that holding penalty that changed things. I mean that that was a rough day for them, and the Cowboys did not have any penalties on special teams. There's another play too. He tried to a little trick

play reverse verse and they blew that up. Not only that, but but the guy got hurt, the returner, Mickens, Yeah, got hurt. And then we'll chart. I mean, he didn't get hurt on that play, but got hurt later. The guy good Goodwin CJ. Good Yes, they brought him in because he's a good gunners and he blew up the freaking you know, that could have been a big return if he hadn't blown it up. So funny how that works.

We've talked about pretty much everybody on this team. I'm trying to think of I was just thinking of, speaking

of penalties. I'm like, man, it is really crazy how literally everything was working for the Cowboys, the offense, Dak, the running game, the receivers, the offensive line, the defense, and the penalties, which we know that the Cowboys offense have made their fair amount of penalties, which have definitely affected the game in the worst side of things for them, Especially when you you're facing a defensive line like this,

you just expect somebody to get called for holding. You expect that to happen, holding, false start, like all those things factory in when you're playing a defense that's that good. Typically it's funny. I mean, we've talked. We talked about it on the show, we've talked about it off the air, just like you know, I mean, Nick, how many times has he brought up eight and eight, Like, well, this

is how you get to eight and eight? And I don't I think ninety I'm sure you know there's some guy out there who picked forty four to seventeen, like he knew this was coming. I want to meet that guy. I know. I haven't heard that he knew all along. Jerry. He's his office up there, and I don't think even in his I don't think Jerry saw that coming. But

so I'm sitting there. You know, if they got out like a twenty four to twenty win and the offense pretty much looks the same, like, I think, you probably get a whole lot of sarcastic applause, like a cool and that's that's how you get to eight and eight. But like, if they can do this to that defense, it at least gives you cause for optimism that it really could be a turning point, which I can't believe.

I'm saying that because I really I had my mind pretty firmly made up about what this team was until yesterday at about five o'clock. I think Sunday Sunday's game in Washington is really going to be the turning point of the entire season. One way or another. You want to stay on the eight and eight train, you go lose that game because then you got a week off and Tennessee comes in and I think you'll win that game on Honey Night and you'll be at four and

four at the break and all that good stuff. But you want to get off of that train and actually, you know, be a team that's gonna compete for the division and all that. You got to go to Washington win, you'd be the I think they would be the only team.

They would be the only team with two wins in the division if they can do that, right, and you know, I don't know one would have more of the victories than them at four, which quite frankly, that's the most important thing in a division like this that's so close to me, and it doesn't look like any of the teams are running away to the point where wildcard's going to really be an option. So you're gonna have to

win this division. That means that division games become the most important games, not that they're not most seasons, but this season especially, it's going to be extremely important. All credit to them. No, no wet blanket here, like this was a resounding but yeah, but I gotta see it again. Yeah, I don't know what it means for the future. You just know yesterday they were dominant, as dominant as we've seen in a long time. Ye all right, we appreciate

you guys joined us. We're back tomorrow. We'll look to take a big picture look at this team, how they look around the NFL, what's happening in the NFC East. Till then, for Nick Even, Dave helm At, Amber Garcia, I'm Derek Eagleton. This has been The Break live on Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. This has been a production of Dallas Cowboys dot Com and the Dallas Cowboys Football Club.