JAN 26: ‘GET AWAY!’ No, not “get away” from the Cowboys. “Get away” from it all … just for a little bit.
That is the advice that Troy Aikman tells CowboysSI.com he would offer to Dak Prescott after what the Hall of Famer termed a “shocking” failure in the playoff at the hands of the underdog Packers.
Watch the Video Visit above for the full context of Aikman’s point, which includes him stating his belief in Prescott – “I am a big fan of Dak. I still believe his best days are ahead of him,” Aikman said – and his reply to our query about advice he’d offer.
“Get away!” Troy said with a chuckle. “Get away from everybody and regroup.”
JAN 24 VIC TO NFC EAST? The Dolphins and Vic Fangio have “mutually agreed to part ways” – you know, “fired” – but we bet Vic is happy about it. Why? Because Fangio, we believe, might have already arranged to land with the Philadelphia Eagles to hire as their defensive coordinator.
This would pus Fangio closer to his family in Pennsylvania and would be a reunion as he worked for coach Nick Sirianni in an advisory role last year.
JAN 21 RON TO EAGLES? A Cowboys could keep Ron Rivera off the unemployment line … and in the division.
The Philadelphia Eagles are interviewing Rivera – just fired as head coach in Washington – as Nick Sirinanni works to build up his staff.
This NFC East coach shuffle of course works under the assumption that Nick is retaining his big chair in charge.
Dallas might also be seeing a change at coordinator as Dan Quinn has second interviews to be a head coach in two NFL cities.
JAN 8 DQ REQUESTS If you can’t beat ‘em … hire ‘em?
The Washington Commanders, who on Monday fired Ron Rivera, are quickly assembling a head coach wish list. And now, along with the Carolina Panthers have requested permission to interview Dan Quinn.
Carolina has tabbed nine coaches so far in their search and per NFL Network, the Cowboys top assistant is among them. The list …:
— Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
— Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik
— Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan
— Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn
— Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald
— Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith
— Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris
— Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken
— Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales
Quinn is being discussed as one of the “hottest” names – as has been the case in the last three cycles, with him opting each time to remain in Dallas.
JAN 7 TYLER EXPECTED OUT The Cowvoys were hoping to give this a go, but now the “expectation” is reportedly that left guard Tyler Smith (plantar fascia tear) will not play this afternoon at the Commanders.
This note comes from Bryan Broaddus of 105.3 The Fan.
That would mean TJ Bass will get the start at left guard in the Week 18 regular-season finale as Smith works toward returning for the playoffs.
We are awaiting word on defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (ankle) and his availability for today.
JAN 4 COOK SIGNS That didn’t take long.
Dalvin Cook passed through waivers on Thursday afternoon and amid talk among other bidders, the four-time Pro Bowl running back has signed with the Super Bowl favorite Baltimore Ravens.
The Dallas Cowboys had expressed some interest in this pursuit but will now head into the NFL playoffs with their running back room led by Tony Pollard.
DEC 31 ONE GAME It’s all so simple now.
The Cowboys will play the Commanders next Sunday, with the game now scheduled for 3:25 CT. Dallas opens as a 13.5-point favorite against a Washington team that has little motivation; in fact, given the NFL Draft order, there are benefits to Washington folding the tents here.
Meanwhile … The Cowboys will be NFC East champions with a win over Washington – in part because of the Eagles’ Sunday collapse.
The complete breakdown is below explaining how Dallas is suddenly set to host at least two playoff games at AT&T Stadium – where the 11-5 Cowboys have now won 16 straight games.
DEC 30 OUT-SMARTED The Dallas Cowboys got out-smarted twice in a short second-quarter span by the Detroit Lions – yes, twice! – but the Dallas defense balled out and bailed out to help the home team cling to its first-half lead.
Savvy play No. 1: As CeeDee Lamb was reaching in for a second TD pass from Dak Prescott, just shy of the goal line a Detroit defender punched the ball loose, resulting in a Lamb fumble through the end zone … and a touchback.’
No TD. Loss of possession.
CeeDee Lamb fumble out of the end zone! No TD and Lions ball.
Fantasy football fun! 😬 pic.twitter.com/wGZoKlbvRA
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) December 31, 2023
On the ensuing Detroit drive, Dallas’ D held .. But the Lions pulled off a fake out of fourth-down punt formation, a long completion on the trick keeping their drive alive.
#Lions Fake punt for the first down!!pic.twitter.com/xNVrUapJVz
— BSGsports (@BSGsportsmedia) December 31, 2023
But again … with Detroit in the red zone, Dallas’ D held, forcing an incompletion on fourth down and allowing the Cowboys to stay ahead, 7-3.
DEC 28 GOOD ON TYRON The Dallas vs. Lions FINAL Practice and Game Status Report offers good news at left tackle.
Moving up to “questionable” is Tyron Smith (back). He is expected to play on Saturday night against the visiting Lions.
ALERT#DallasCowboys/ #Lions FINAL Practice and Game Status Report
Move up for Tyron Smith (back). Johnathan Hankins and Rico Dowdle are OUT. pic.twitter.com/4COkomXMPZ
— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) December 28, 2023
Meanwhile. Johnathan Hankins and Rico Dowdle are OUT.
DEC 27 O-LINE CONCERNS Add all of this to the reasons why Matt Waletzko just got activated from IR to the 53-man roster.
As Dallas prepares for a Saturday night visit from the Detroit Lions, the Practice Injury Report is out. And a trio of Cowboys O-Linemen make the list.
Tyron Smith gets the DNP. No surprise there as he works through his back issue.
Zack Martin gets the DNP. Hopefully, even as he is dealing with quad soreness, that’s just about a rest day.
Ah, but Chuma Edoga popping up? He’s the utility lineman who took Tyron’s left tackle spot last week in Miami and he is dealing with a toe injury.
ALERT: #DallasCowboys/#Lions Practice Report … O-Line issues – FULL coverage https://t.co/XpImtdZWO4 pic.twitter.com/Dkr2VFhDgQ
— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) December 27, 2023
The 10-5 Cowboys feel good about their overall health as they prep for the playoffs. But as you scan the Wednesday injury report above, you see all of this merits monitoring.
DEC 26 TALENT ‘INJECTION’? Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith (back) missed Sunday’s loss at the Dolphins, and he was a DNP for the Tuesday workout here inside The Star.
But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is talking optimistically – and quite frankly – about Tyron finding a way to play on Saturday night when the Detroit Lions come to town.
“Hopefully Tyron will come on around,” Jones told @1053thefan. “We injected him last week, and that usually works. Hopefully we can have him. He’s a huge difference maker, Tyron Smith.”
Um … yes. Tyron would indeed be a huge “injection” of talent back into the Dallas lineup.
#DallasCowboys/ #Lions Practice Injury Report – more at https://t.co/XpImtdZoYw pic.twitter.com/R3CiTE1rNe
— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) December 26, 2023
The full injury practice report for both playoff-bound teams is above.
DEC 24 PRESCOTT FINDS COOKS The Dallas Cowboys haven’t given fans much to cheer about as they’ve trailed the Dolphins since 17 seconds were left in the second-half.
However, the Cowboys managed to retake the lead late in the fourth quarter as Dak Prescott found Brandin Cooks in the back of the endzone for an eight-yard touchdown pass to give Dallas the 20-19 advantage.
COOKS for a clutch potential winner! pic.twitter.com/VNUICCS7yF
— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) December 25, 2023
DEC 24 DAK AS SANTA Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is obviously very much in the holiday mood – and in style – as he has just shown up at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami making a fashion statement … dressed in his very own Santa Claus outfit.
No, he’s not dressed as Santa for the game at the Miami Dolphins, but … well, take a look for yourself!
Lots of Christmas cheer will follow the 10-4 Cowboys if they are able to manage a win today against the 10-4 Dolphins.
DEC 22 TYREEK OK? NOT SO FAST? When we say, “Not so fast,” we are obviously not referring to the foot speed of MVP candidate Tyreek Hill.
Rather, we are referring to the assumption by many who upon learning the Thursday news that the Miami Dolphins All-Pro receiver is participating in practice … made the leap to think he and his ankle are OK for Sunday’s visit from the Dallas Cowboys.
But before assumptions are locked in, NFL watchers should check out the standout notebook from our colleagues at AllDolphins at SI, where veteran beat writer Omar Kelly is careful to note in great detail what Hill is actually doing int the workout.
A headline, “Tyreek Hill: Good News and Bad News” offers a hint.
“Dolphins All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s status remains unclear despite his participation in Thursday’s practice,” the site writes. “His speed was present, but Hill did struggle shifting gears when trying to slow down during the portions of practice the media attended.
“The Dolphins planned to proceed with caution this week all along with the hope that Hill can return to the lineup against the Cowboys on Sunday.”
Hill is “expected to play,” per our man Ian Rapoport. And the 10-4 Cowboys are prepping for the 10-4 Dolphins as if Tyreek is a go. But Kelly notes, “Hill’s status for the Dallas game likely won’t be determined until very late in the week, if not game day.”
DEC 16 TWO MOVES The Dallas Cowboys have elevated Davis & Davis – defensive tackle Carl Davis and running back Malik Davis – from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
The D-line move was expected; vet Carl Davis will make his Cowboys debut in the injury absence of Johnathan Hankins (ankle).
Meanwhile, Rico Dowdle is also working through an ankle issue, so Malik Davis is moving up for a day in Buffalo that could demand more of the ground game in wet and windy conditions.
DEC 14 PRESCOTT AMONG ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD CONTENDERS Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is among the eight finalists for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award revealed on Thursday. Introduced in 2014, the honor is named after the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers and recognizes on-field sportsmanship.
Other nominees include Budda Baker (Arizona), Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas), Kyle Juszczyk (San Francisco), Khalil Mack (LA Chargers), C.J. Mosley (NY Jets), Bobby Wagner (Seattle), and Kevin Zeitler (Baltimore).
The Rooney Award is yet another honor where Prescott has attracted attention during his resurgent season under Dallas center. It’ll be one of the many titles bestowed at the NFL honors on Feb. 8 in the lead-up to Super Bowl LVIII.
DEC 13 NFL CONFIRMS BRAZIL GAME, NFC TEAM SET TO HOST The NFL announced on Wednesday that a 2024 regular season game will be held in São Paulo, Brazil. While the date and opponents have yet to be determined, an NFC team is set to host with the conference due an extra home game in the revamped schedule rotation.
Could that mean Dallas Cowboys involvement?
The game will be the first NFL contest held in South America and will be staged at Arena Corinthians, the home of Brazillian association football club Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. It also hosted the opening games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup as well as numerous portions of the 2016 Summer Olympic soccer tournaments.
“Bringing the NFL to new continents, countries, and cities around the world is a critical element of our plan to continue to grow the game globally,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Brazil has established itself as a key market for the NFL, and we are excited to be playing in Brazil and Sao Paulo for the first time in 2024.”
Moving to São Paulo, which reportedly beat out Madrid for hosting duties, is part of the NFL’s continued efforts to grow internationally. This year saw five games in the International Series spread out between London and Frankfurt. It’s also possible that the São Paulo game could feature the Miami Dolphins, who were assigned Brazil as an international home market.
So what about Dolphins at Cowboys? Two problems, despite the Dallas-related rumors …
One, Dallas is not scheduled to face Miami next season. So if the Dolphins are involved, the Cowboys won’t be.
Two, due to the revenue gained by home games at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys – who have been in just one international regular-season game, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in London in 2014 – are generally reluctant to give up games in Arlington.
The Cowboys do have the NFL’s biggest foothold south of the border, though … so the attraction on the part of some is natural.
DEC 11 FANS FIGHT! No, the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t put up much of a fight against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday evening. But fans of the teams opted to beat on one another as they went at it in the concourse of AT&T Stadium in Arlington … and then just down the street at Texas Live.
The Cowboys beat the Eagles, 33-13. But that apparently wasn’t entertainment enough for more than a few morons who decided to mar the scene with violent foolishness.
On the concourse? A memorabilia display was nearly destroyed by a pair of dopes.
Look at these zombies fighting over rigged and scripted WWE sports pic.twitter.com/O9SoevdG9m
— ALL SPORTS ARE RIGGED 2023 (@FormerNFLFan789) December 11, 2023
And down the street? It appears that men are wrestling with and hitting women …
Cowboys fans slippin and sliding 🥊 pic.twitter.com/g2OL7SFAUI
— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) December 11, 2023
All fueled by alcohol? Misguided passion for their favorite teams? A simple lack of intelligence?
DEC 10 HERE THEY COME! The Dallas Cowboys just opened the doors here at AT&T Stadium for the big meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles here in Arlington on ‘Sunday Night Football’ … and yes, the excitement is palpable.
Here, watch for yourself!
The fan dedication is real!!
Cowboys vs. Eagles hits different. #cowboysnation #FlyEaglesFly #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/RWyTgSlm0V
— Bri Amaranthus (@BriAmaranthus) December 10, 2023
Since the Cowboys lost 28-23 to the Eagles in Week 9, they’ve done so much right in moving to 9-3 and giving the 10-2 Eagles a push in the NFC East. The Cowboys have won four in a row while scoring 40-plus points in three of those contests. And now?
Dallas needs a win over Philadelphia on Sunday night if it has any hopes of securing an NFC East division title in 2023.
The Cowboys are buoyed by the fact they boast a 14-game home winning streak, and by the fact they’ve won five straight when Philly comes to town.
And as they get ready to watch a duel of MVP candidates in Dallas’ Dak Prescott and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, Cowboys fans are obviously buoyed by the excitement of it all as well.
DEC 9 DOWDLE CLEARED FOR PHILLY Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle was a full participant in practice on Friday and has no injury designation for Sunday night against the Eagles.
Dowdle has been dealing with ankle issues for the past three weeks but has not missed game time.
Through 13 weeks Dowdle has rushed for 261 yards on 63 carries with one touchdown, and also caught 11 passes for 76 yards and two additional scores.
Meanwhile, Dallas also elevated young tight end Princeton Fant off the practice squad, and he figures to help on special teams as he did a week ago in his NFL debut in a win over Seattle.
DEC 6 HOW HEALTHY? How healthy the Cowboys (and coach Mike McCarthy) for the “Sunday Night Football” visit from the Philadelphia Eagles? Here’s your Dallas NFL Injury Tracker for Wednesday from here inside The Star, where the usual “Tyron Wednesday” is the notable note …
#DallasCowboys Practice / Injury Report for #Eagles Week pic.twitter.com/DW5N4b9Ubl
— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) December 6, 2023
As for McCarthy, the emergency surgery for surgery for his acute appendicitis kept him away from work for Wednesday. But the team believes he’s good for Sunday. (See below).
Said Cowboys leader DeMarcus Lawrence, reflecting back a couple of years when NFL teams were forced to deal with changes on the fly: “Shoutout to COVID. It helped us learn how to adjust quickly. We’re definitely praying for him to get back healthy as soon as possible.”
DEC 5 JONES BACKS EAGLES’ TUSH PUSH AMIDST BAN RUMORS Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reiterated his support for the Philadelphia Eagles’ trademark “Tush Push” during his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan. The discussion around the short-yardage play, often involving offensive lineman pushing quarterback Jalen Hurts into the end zone and also known as the “Brotherly Shove,” has reopened thanks to reports of NFL commissioner seeking to ban the call.
Jones believes that the concept will be solved eventually and hopes that his Cowboys will be the ones to help kickstart its fadeaway.
“I don’t have that kind of issue with those techniques that, to me, will automatically take care of itself,” Jones said. “We’ll either do a better job of getting those interior lineman and getting some pressure back against that.”
Jones’ comments come as the Cowboys (9-3) prepare to engage in a monumental battle with the Eagles on Sunday night (7:20 p.m. CT, NBC). He previously came out in support of the play in October, admiring the Eagles’ implementation of the “traditional scrum.”
NOV 30 FERGUSON TD After a stop on fourth-and-one from the Cowboys defense, Prescott led the Cowboys’ offense 54 yards in seven plays completing four of his five passes for 35 yards as he found Jake Ferguson to give Dallas the lead.
Jamal Adams was lost out there and got beat for a TD by Jake Ferguson!pic.twitter.com/rKoL2lyHdthttps://t.co/XCe1C9SG5P
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 1, 2023
With their lead at just two points, the Cowboys decided to go for two, which saw Prescott find Cooks to extend their lead to 38-35.
NOV 30 POLLARD TD In a penalty-filled drive the Dallas Cowboys trimmed the deficit to just a point as Tony Pollard found the endzone with a six-yard rushing touchdown. Touchdown aside though, it has been a rather uneventful evening for Pollard, who has just 35 yards on 14 carries.
After all those flags… obviously, we got a TD.
Tony Pollard scores https://t.co/424mRplpkihttps://t.co/ea1neTswgw
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 1, 2023
The Seahawks hold a 28-27 lead over the Cowboys with over three minutes left in the third quarter.
NOV 30 ROASTED The Cowboys ‘Doomsday’ Defense is not holding up well as there are still 10 minutes left in the third quarter of “Thursday Night Football” here at AT&T Stadium and a Geno Smith TD trot has put his Seahawks up 28-20.
Geno Smith, deceptively athletic pic.twitter.com/1Z6dAN7RlM
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) December 1, 2023
That’s right; in just over two quarters, the Cowboys have allowed 28 points to an admittedly good Seattle team that on the road averages 18.6 points per game.
Dallas gave up a TD to close the first half and has now allowed a bookend score. … with NFC Defensive Player of the Month DaRon Bland one of many victims.
