DALLAS — The Cowboys are spiraling, and this week they face a familiar foe – the Washington Commanders, led by head coach and former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
It's another bit of intrigue in a tumultuous stretch for the Cowboys.
However, they don't have the luxury of fixating on their competition. They're in the throes of a five-game losing streak and desperately seeking answers to play respectably for a full game.
1. Micah Parsons Apologizes
Cowboys all-everything defender Micah Parsons met with the media this week for the first time after his controversial comments about head coach Mike McCarthy. He apologized and also addressed those critical of him doing his podcast. He made the point that people weren’t critical when he did it and the team was winning, so why now?
There needs to be clarification here because I have been critical of some things I've heard on his podcast. The podcast itself is not an issue.
NFL players have plenty of extra time, and I applaud those who want to get into media, jump-starting their post-playing careers. The issue arises when what he says causes a distraction in the locker room, as it can be perceived as critical by his teammates. I've had former Cowboys players share their disdain for the podcast with me. If they're reacting that way, how do you think his teammates feel?
So, I'll be watching Sunday to see Parsons' response to all of it, especially this week when he faces his former coach and great friend Dan Quinn. Parsons says they still speak frequently via text, and Quinn even helped him get tickets for his family. There's so much swirling here, I can't wait to see how Parsons responds on the field.
2. Quinn vs. McCarthy
Speaking of Dan Quinn, the matchup between his Commanders defense and the Cowboys offense, led by Mike McCarthy, will be spicy. Granted, it's not a fair fight with Dak Prescott on the shelf following his hamstring surgery. But I'll be watching to see how the coaches scheme up certain plays to try to outcoach each other.
They know each other well, having squared off in training camp and numerous practice sessions for years.
Who can get the jump? Who will make the right play call at just the right time? Who will make the other coach look bad? We'll be looking for answers Sunday at FedEx Field.
3. Facing the Future
The Cowboys will get their first look at phenomenal Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Cowboys fans, get used to it – the Heisman Trophy winner is the runaway leader for NFL Rookie of the Year. He's shown poise and production far beyond his years. He's a dual threat, able to operate inside and outside the pocket and run for yards when the situation calls for it.
Daniels has cut back on the frequency of tucking the ball and running since a Week 7 rib injury against Carolina. Daniels has just 23 yards on 10 carries in his last two games, after rushing for more than 30 yards in every game but one before the injury. That fact might give Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer the edge he needs to try to dial up the pressure on the rookie. Zimmer has plenty of tape on him now to dissect what Daniels likes.
I'll be looking to see how Zimmer schemes certain looks and pressures to make Daniels play left-handed.
4. For the Love of Everything – Put the Kid In
I'm just about done making this point, but I'll include it one more time because of the situation. It's past time to see Trey Lance in some specialty packages.
It could be a much-needed wrinkle in the red zone. The fact that McCarthy didn't play him at all in the Texans game is yet another sign the coaching staff doesn't believe he can function fully at the quarterback position. That's no surprise to me, given the way he struggled in training camp, and we can't forget the preseason finale when he threw five interceptions. Oof!
Given all that, we also know Lance is a talented athlete and can run the ball. The Saints' Taysom Hill isn't ready to function fully at the quarterback position either, but the change-up he provides can be lethal. It's the perfect time to do something similar with Lance this week because Dan Quinn is so familiar with the Cowboys offense.
Be creative – show something different featuring Lance's ability to run. Then have him play-fake and find somebody wide open. There's no reason not to take the chance because nothing else is working!
5. No More Fake Punts
Mike McCarthy's decision-making early in the game against the Texans looked like a teenager playing the Madden NFL video game.
The decision to employ a fake punt on the first possession of the game was another head-scratcher, especially after the failed fake punt just two weeks prior. I don’t have a problem calling a fake punt, but I do have a problem with the Cowboys doing it when the scheme for both had zero chance of working!
Cowboys special teams coach John Fassel is one of the best in the league. But when you call a fake deep in your territory, like both of these have been, it better be a lock to work. You have to be so sure that your scheme is sound and you get the exact look that you want, ensuring your players will be wide open to execute. Neither has been close, so let’s look for other ways to surprise the competition.
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