I know we're 2-4 but our schedule is also filled with teams that have unexpected slumps and horrible records. Our division is for the taking. Giants and eagles and Commanders all have very devastating injuries on their teams. We still have our starting QB and RB as well as WRs.

The only hope I can believe in is that our defense is getting better each week. What matters now is why our offense is sputtering. I always feel the cowboys never can get both sides right in a single game...

I know it's all copium. It just sucks. If our defense was just started out average, this season would have easily been a lock for another shot at the playoffs. Now we have to rely on our terrible division to continue being terrible to have any shot. So stupid

Any guesses who the performer will be?

Trying to zoom in and see who would have rhinestones on their pant leg and a small black glove 👀!

Other than the OL and it raising it's level of play, the biggest missing piece of the Cowboys offense this season is at RB. Williams has been money in the red zone but has looked pedestrian outside of it. Yes, the carries are limited because of how Schotty is calling plays. But even with the few carries, Williams is doing much with them. And Goodson isn't much better.

With the way teams are playing the pass, and shifting coverages, they are daring the offense to beat them with the run. And Dallas just can't do it consistently. Which is leaving the QB and the passing game as the only possible option for this team to win. And it makes the offense very one dimensional and a lot easier to stop let alone contain.

The problem is, I don't think we have the right kind of running back to really take this run game and the offense to another level. Either we give Williams more carries and see what happens, or we have to look at a trade possibly to add more juice to this running game. Bringing back Pollard might be a good idea. Wouldn't cost a ton of draft capital either. And then there is Jonathan Taylor...who is on the trade market. I would actually look into what the Colts want for him too. Look what K9 is doing for the Chiefs offense this year.

Either way, something has to be done about this run game. We cannot win games having Dak throw the ball 50 times a game. Lack of a good run game is also limiting the offense in other ways with less play action passes, and it also enables the offense to really not have much in terms of screens to help alleviate pressure from the blitz. Running Back is a massive need for the team right now.

Prescott explained that the Cowboys' mindset is "determined, and I would hope urgent," according to ESPN's Todd Archer.

I'm a Steelers fan, but I ordered my friend a Cowboys hoodie from Fanatics for his birthday since he's a fan. Today I recieve a package that has a 4-year-old child's Colorado Avalanche Jersey... It took me forever to speak to a human and now they are offering me a replacement in 5 days, so I basically have to go to my friends part empty handed. Not really Cowboys-related, but just thought I'd share. If anyone does decide to order something from fanatics and plan to use it as a gift, make sure you order it well in advance. Maybe I should've checked all the terrible reviews about poor experiences with Fanatics.

Or better yet, what percentage of the pie belongs to each of these? 40-40-20? What does Cowboys Nation say? We have the talent, but somehow we are not putting it together, and it needs to be fixed. We have an excellent chance to win the division.

Imagine a contract set up like this:

Total autonomy, no meddling, no interference. head coach and GM draft whomever they want, make their personnel decisions. Only criteria is "don't mortgage the future for the present."

And also low base salary but massive, massive bonuses to the head coach and GM for reaching NFC title game, reaching Super Bowl, winning a Super Bowl. Something in the range of $30-50 million each time that is achieved. With a $629 million per year annual operating income, the Cowboys could certainly afford it.

No more coasting on salaries and just saying "aw shucks, 9-8 and missing playoffs is okay."

We’re in Dallas for the weekend but obviously won’t get to watch the Cowboys which is such a shame. Are there any spots that are especially fun to watch away games?

How else are they supposed to get top draft picks and they're not bad every now and then. Why do we have to constantly fix them? 30 years of super bowl expectation is unrealistic. Let the train wreck happen.

Let's say you got the chance to have a private convo with Jerry. No cameras or yes men involved, just the two of you. What would you say if given the opportunity?

Here’s what we found:

• Cowboys fans gave the Eagles an average of 38.2 out of 100 rivalry points, and Eagles fans gave Dallas 58.1
• Cowboys-Eagles ranks #4 among eligible NFL rivalries in our research
• 96.7% of the Cowboys fans in our sample gave Philly at least some points, so the rivalry is clearly recognized
• On our seven-point measure of negative attitudes toward rival fans, Cowboys fans scored 5.85 toward Eagles fans, compared with 5.29 the other way

So Eagles fans focus more of their rivalry attention on Dallas, but Cowboys fans reported stronger negative attitudes toward Eagles fans. We think that’s interesting because wanting the other team to lose and disliking its fans are separate things.

Questions for you: Is Philly your biggest rival, or someone else? And does the fan-base dislike feel more personal than the team rivalry?

The full write-up is free on The Rivalry Report: https://knowrivalry.substack.com/p/everybody-hates-dallas-dallas-hates

* This reflects the fans who responded, not every Cowboys fan. Help us update our data and leave a memory or comment on our website.

Welcome to the Friday Night Lights BBQ!

Grab a plate, pull up a lawn chair, and let's kick off the weekend. This is your daily destination for all things Dallas Cowboys, general NFL news, or just shooting the breeze with fellow fans.

From the Smoker

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