E29: "Pride Preview" - Week 6 - Lions at Cowboys (with Joseph Hoyt and Skywalker Steele)

This episode of 'Talking Grit' features hosts Jason Harwood and Jacob Litton providing a comprehensive preview of the Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys NFL Week 6 matchup. The show includes insights from Cowboys beat writer Joseph Hoyt and Skywalker Steel from A to Z Sports Dallas, highlighting key players like Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons, Dallas's offensive strengths, and injury-related defensive vulnerabilities. The analysis contrasts with the Lions' strong run game and offensive line. The episode concludes with personal insights and a promotion for their YouTube channel, 'Talking Grit Podcast.'

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Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:50 Tigers Baseball Excitement
• 3:02 Dallas Cowboys Impact Players
• 4:44 Cowboys Roster Changes and Injuries
• 10:02 rade Speculations and Team Strategy
• 16:36 Cowboys Season Performance
• 19:13 Interview with Joseph Hoyt
• 39:48 Interview with Skywalker Steel
• 1:02:09 Stats to Watch and Keys to Victory
• 1:15:25 NFL Picks and Predictions
• 1:25:29 Grit Guarantee and Final Thoughts

Transcript

Jason Harwood: 0:40

Welcome to talking grit. You can follow us on Twitter at talking grit pod. I'm Jason Harwood. You can follow me on Twitter at Jason underscore T G pod. And with me is Jacob Litton. You can find him on Twitter at J M a L L I T T O. And have another episode of product. The pride preview to share with everyone. It's great to be back after a long bi week, it's one week without football just seems like forever, but now we have 13 straight regular season weeks of Lions football to enjoy. regular season football. We plan on enjoying it. further into the season. Today on the pride preview, we are going to feature two interviews. The first one is Joseph Hoyt. He's a Dallas Cowboys beat writer and Skywalker steel from A to Z sports, Dallas show a YouTube channel. Both of these interviews are great. I am looking forward to you listening to them. Do not miss them. They're going to get you ready for this week. Six matchup. Speaking of getting ready for this week, six matchup, Jacob. Yup. First of all, it's great you. How you been?

Jacob: 1:49

Good. I've been really good. Hey, Tigers. Baseball's been on. It's making up for the, you know, week without the lions.

Jason Harwood: 1:55

I know, I know. It's a, I can't believe something's steering my attention away from the Lions because generally football season, I'm, I'm all football, I'm locked in, but I'm a huge Tigers fan and. What they're doing on the baseball field is the gritty equivalent of what the Lions do, right? I mean these gritty tights.

Jacob: 2:15

Absolutely. Just awesome for them to be playing October baseball again.

Jason Harwood: 2:19

I know love it. I was at the game Wednesday. I was at game three I was talking to you earlier about Jacob. I had a nine year old 13 year old And an 89 year old, cause I brought my grandma to the game, huge Tigers fan. She was big part of my sports upbringing and understanding, enjoying baseball, so it was great to share that moment with my boys and her. It was, it was a live environment. There was a lot of fun.

Jacob: 2:46

Awesome to get a win too. At home like that's awesome Unbelievable season and it continues on

Jason Harwood: 2:53

Yup.

Jacob: 2:54

hopefully we seal the deal in game four at home.

Jason Harwood: 2:57

That'd be nice. Yep. By the time people are listening to this tomorrow, well, hopefully we're on our way. So, all right, let's get into the Dallas Cowboys. First, we're going to hit on the impact players. Jacob, you got the PFF grades on some of their impact players. I'm gonna let you tell us what they are.

Jacob: 3:13

Here we go impact players for the Dallas Cowboys First we're gonna start on offense quarterback Dak Prescott. He's ranked pro football focus 20th quarterback NFL top 100 this year. He was number 16 Obviously the pro football focus ranking is not very impressive, but he's towards the top of most passing statistics so far this year You Definitely, you know their star player and worth mentioning along with their wide receiver cd lamb who is ranked pro football focus number 53 NFL top 100. He was the number 13 player on the list. You know, that 53 is misleading on pro football focus. Cassidy is obviously an impact player. He's somebody that you have to know where he's at on the field at all times. And, you know, definitely a huge part of their offense. Zach Martin, the offensive guard, pro football focus number eight NFL top 100 number 53. Obviously, he's a perennial, you know, top 10 pro football focus player, his position just continuously one of the best to do it. And then we flip over the defensive side of the ball. Micah Parsons pro football focus number 11 NFL top 100 number 17. He is injured right now. He didn't play last week. Doesn't look like he's going to play this week, but I guess there may be an outside chance. Obviously, it's better for our offense if he doesn't play in this game because this guy's a, you know, a game wrecker as is Aiden Hutchinson. So, those are the impact players that we have for the Cowboys this week.

Jason Harwood: 4:37

We just played. Dallas, obviously we all remember the game last year. We don't need to, you know, that up again. They've had some changes lots of injuries going on right now and, you know, that maybe speak to why we'll go through this over their draft picks and they have four starters, really five, but one's just IR they, you know, the first. Five rounds. They had, they've had five starters right now. First was Tyler Guyton out of Oklahoma tackle. He's starting a second hometown kid here, Western Michigan and Marshawn Nealon edge player. I he's on the IR right now. So he's, he's out and injured their starting center, Cooper Beebe, Kansas state. Also in the third round, they have Marissa Leofau from Notre Dame, linebacker, starting right now, having playing actually pretty good. And then they have Kaelin Carson from Wake Forest, cornerback. He's starting, again, due to injuries. So, we're hitting the Cowboys at a, you know, right time, as far as the injury bug, because we're going to be playing some practice squad players and some just young, young players and having a tackle out there with Hayden Hutchinson sounds tasty to me.

Jacob: 5:53

For sure, definitely young offensive line you know, on paper, it looks like Hutch should have a huge game.

Jason Harwood: 6:00

And he does a lot of times versus the Cowboys, but we can get in that a little bit later

Jacob: 6:04

Yeah, yeah,

Jason Harwood: 6:05

All right, Jacob. You know, I talk a little bit about their free agent signings.

Jacob: 6:10

yeah. So I would say it's more impactful to people that left than the people they signed, but we're going to go over that. Moving on from the team last year, offensive tackle Tyron Smith. They're starting center, Tyler Biatas. They're starting running back, Tony Pollard. They lost defensive tackle, Jonathan Hankins. Linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch, actually retired, along with their wide receiver, Michael Gallup, and cornerback, Stephon Gilmore. These are huge names. A lot of them are starters that are no longer with the Cowboys. As you kind of spoke to already, that's probably why they've got so many young rookies or younger players starting. The big signings that they had, they re signed their cornerback, Jordan Lewis. He's a nickel cornerback, but he's an impact player at times. We know him from Michigan. They re signed running back Ezekiel Elliott. Hasn't worked out for them so far. We'll get into that later. And then I guess the biggest signing would be linebacker Eric Kendricks, who's been a big part of the defense thus far.

Jason Harwood: 7:09

The only other big news really off season moves is, you know, their coordinator Quinn went over to inter division to the Washington Commanders. He's enjoying some success, early success over there. He's been replaced with a new defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, who we all know because he used to head coach our division rival, the Minnesota Vikings. Dan Quinn obviously had the defense playing at a higher level. Reason why the defense might not be playing at a high level right now is because what we're going to get into right now, injury report, you don't want to run down through this long list of cowboys and then we'll hit on the lions list.

Jacob: 7:50

So, Cowboys injury report. This is the most current report we have as of Wednesday evening. So things could change here. But we have Micah Parsons did not practice. Like I said earlier, they don't think that he's going to play. I guess they're giving him an outside chance. We'll see Eric Hendricks also did not practice. I don't know if that's due to rest or if this is really going to be an injury concern because they feel like he is going to play. Then you have DeMarcus Lawrence is out. He's been put on IR wide receiver. Brandon Cooks is also out the offensive tackle. Tyler Guyton got in a full practice. He was hurt. And then the biggest one I guess you would say for them is their cornerback Duran Bland who has not played thus far. He got injured before the season started. He got in a full practice and it looks like he is going to play could be in a limited role. We're not sure, but that's big for them to have him out there on defense.

Jason Harwood: 8:42

Yep. Yep. That one's, you know, they're getting one player back. They've lost a lot of players, but getting around bland will be, will be good for their secondary. As far as the lions. Mostly actually pretty much all good news. Brian branch and Frank rag now both had a full practice or reliance really didn't practice today. They practiced yesterday, but estimated full practice, which most likely means they're going to go. They have activated Christian mahogany. So he has a three week window right now, so he could practice with the lions. So then the lions have to either decide to, put them on the active roster or try to stash them on the practice squad, depending on how he's doing. So they'll have three weeks from now to decide that, but it's encouraging that they've decided to activate that window means he's healthy enough to get there. What's kind of discouraging is Dan Campbell earlier this week talked about. Derek Barnes. And it sounds, you know, the statement he said is if we're going to be lucky to get him back this year at all. So it sounds like he's going to have an extended stay on the IR, which unfortunate for him and for the Lions. So I didn't like hearing that, but Trevor Nowacki they're, they are excited about him and, he's going to get a chance to play in that Sam role. It sounds like.

Jacob: 9:57

You know, there are some big names I was going to save this for later, but he kind of spoke into it right now. So there's some big names that are available out there right now. Linebacker Devin White was just released by the Eagles. So that's somebody potentially that we could bring in for a tryout or bring in, you know, just to see what he has. There's also quite a few names that are on the trade block right now, including Hassan Redik of the Jets. Those are two, you know, potential decent edge rushers and decent SAM linebackers. How would you feel about exploring either of those options?

Jason Harwood: 10:32

Not happy. interested in either one. Devin White, I've never been impressed with him. I don't think he's really going to fit what the Lions want to do. He's not a great tackler, in my opinion. Not gonna I think the tread's pretty thin on the tire on that. And Hasan Redick is just he doesn't really fit what the Lions want to do. And also I don't think Dan Campbell is going to take well, to kindly to a player to just sat out and, and Hassan Reddick wants a contract. He's not going to get that from the Lions. It's just not going to happen. So I don't think that that would happen. And plus I don't want to give up assets that

Jacob: 11:05

Right.

Jason Harwood: 11:07

Probably. Maybe not that much. The longer he sits out, the less he's worth the jet. So you could get them for cheap. But I, I'm not really interested in either one of them. How about you?

Jacob: 11:18

Our name has been associated with both of them, but I think that's more speculation people still don't get the idea what you kind of talked to about. We want players that fit in with our locker room and that fit in with what we're trying to do. So maybe when you're just looking at on the football field what they offer, then yes, that would make sense to have. You know, a linebacker or an edge rusher, but when you talk about the type of players that they are, the type of people that they are, I just don't think, especially right in the middle of the season, that they would mesh in with the locker room. And, you know, you said it about Redick, just the fact he's holding out would rub a lot of people the wrong way anyway. So then to bring him on and then especially to bring him on and let him take a starting spot and then potentially have to pay him a contract, that's just so unlike what the Lions have been doing. I don't see it happening. You know, any of the targets, there's other trade targets that are out there right now, and our name has been associated with a few of them. You know, Devante Adams, T Higgins, Amari Cooper, Buddha Baker, I think maybe just because of the fact that we have super bowl aspirations, maybe that's why they think we're buyers at the trade deadline. I just don't see any of those names happening. I don't see us making a move.

Jason Harwood: 12:32

Yeah, outside of an injury, the only one I would say is Buddha Baker but the way the Cardinals are playing, I can't imagine deciding that, they have something to play for, especially as injured as the Rams and the 49ers are there.

Jacob: 12:46

Yeah.

Jason Harwood: 12:47

they got some room to move there. I think we've talked about it with. And, and our thing

Jacob: 12:53

Yeah.

Jason Harwood: 12:53

Arizona wouldn't get what they, they're not going to get enough. even warrant trading him, whether they resign him or not, they're probably not going to get enough to warrant trade him we have an injury. We already have Brian branch and he's basically, that player, I'm not saying I wouldn't want. I wouldn't want Buda Baker because I, I certainly would but he wouldn't probably be worth giving up assets because it'd be a duplication of what we already have here. Like I said, outside of an injury, but that's really the only player that that I'm like overly would be excited about getting, you know, unless Mike Max Crosby or something, the Raiders decide to do something crazy.

Jacob: 13:32

That's obviously, that's a huge one for us. We've talked about that.

Jason Harwood: 13:35

And we've talked about that. That's the only player that I would be willing to give up assets for just because he would fit us our team, like a glove, be amazing to see him outside a hodge, the league wouldn't have let it happen because it would, we'd

Jacob: 13:54

That's just unfair.

Jason Harwood: 13:55

player, player safety, you know, the quarterbacks would just be getting crushed, so they probably wouldn't let that happen. So, I mean, that's a pipe dream. It's not going to happen. Sure. Would I like to have a Devante Adams? Yeah, I would love to have Devontae Adams, but again, I don't know how well he fits on this team personality wise. I mean, I don't know Devontae Adams, so I can't. Judge, him on that, but when you add a player mid season, that's, that'll be tough. Plus he's going to go to the jets, you know, that's going to happen. I, to happen, unfortunately I, yeah, Buddha Baker is the only one out of that list that you mentioned that I would really be excited about. But the rest, it's hard, football is so hard to like, it's not like a baseball player.

Jacob: 14:38

Yes.

Jason Harwood: 14:39

you know, it's

Jacob: 14:40

Or basketball.

Jason Harwood: 14:41

Yeah, you can, you know, baseball, they just, I'm not saying it's not a team game, but there's not like plays that had to set up and you don't have to know teammates as much as football is the ultimate team game. And there's so much that you have to know going in and just, especially with our boy, Jared Goff, he has, you know, To develop, this trust with you, just like all quarterbacks do, but it just seems like, you know, Jared golf is gonna, it's already got on Monroe there. We got Jamo. I mean, Devante would just make, you know, that would be another huge weapon, but you know, if you're not getting in the ball enough, is he happy that. You know, like he's not happy at the Raiders

Jacob: 15:24

I think he'd be happy to win, but I mean, you're right. It's just going to take time no matter who you get in there. We saw it with Tim Patrick. I mean, you know, you just, you can't come right away and we can't start you and you can't play 60 or 70 percent of the snaps. You don't know the plays. You don't have the timing down. It just doesn't work for anybody.

Jason Harwood: 15:43

now that's what, as honestly, it's made me pretty impressed with Tim Patrick. He seems like he came in right at the end of the season, no preseason games. And, you know, already in week four, he was making some pretty big time catches and plays and that Seattle game. So. I'm encouraged by seeing what he's going to move forward. And I think we already got our guy that we need, like that big body receiver that we can throw to on third down. And hopefully we find a red zone opportunities with him. Cause I think that is, you know, what, you know, clients kind of miss in that red zone is that, Josh Reynolds safety valve, if Amin Rah, Laporte are covered. We haven't seen Jamo. He's had that touchdown in San Francisco in the red zone, but we haven't really, you know, most of Jamo's touchdowns are outside the red zone. You know, he's scoring deep touchdowns,

Jacob: 16:30

Right.

Jason Harwood: 16:31

going to complain about, but when we get down to the red zone, we need options. All right, Jacob, you want to go over the Cowboy season results so far?

Jacob: 16:40

Yes. Where we stand right now, the Cowboys, their record right now is three and two. They are currently second in the NFC East. Their wins are against the Browns who they handled pretty easily in week one, but then they lost to the saints in week two. Lost the Ravens in week three and their last two weeks, they won against the Giants and against the Steelers. And both of those were very close games. The Steelers was obviously right there at the end where they won. So of in the middle of the pack right here.

Jason Harwood: 17:10

you didn't explain the loss of the saints. They didn't just get beat. They got trounced against the

Jacob: 17:15

Right, right.

Jason Harwood: 17:17

world beaters weeks one and two. I don't know where they've went since then, but

Jacob: 17:20

Yeah,

Jason Harwood: 17:22

crazy. You know, they just, Trounce the Cowboys that game. So, you know, we'll see three and two, you know, they're still in the thick of things in the NFC East is kind of wide open, the commanders are leading that thing and Jayden Daniels is looking like a world beater. So that's kind of interesting what's going on out there. Let's be a spoiler and, you know, knock them down to That'd be

Jacob: 17:45

right, right.

Jason Harwood: 17:47

Let's talk a little bit before we get to the interviews. We'll quickly touch on they'll just let you know where the Cowboys offensive defensive rankings are at. in offense, they're they're 12th in yards per game, second and passing yards per game. So that's where their bread and butter is. They rank fourth in yak. So that, you know, thinking that forward, a lot of, you're getting a lot of yards after catch, you know, CD accounts for a lot of that CD lamb. You know, where they struggle is the running rushing yards per game, NFL and rushing yards per game. So, you know, stopped the run. It seems like that's a no brainer that we're going to be able to stop this team that's 31st, but it depends on where we put our assets at the lions. You know, go light. In the box because, we want to, provide help to our secondary. We'll see. I mean, they might find a little bit of room, but I would plan on the lions shutting down this run game. You want to go through their defensive rankings, Jacob.

Jacob: 18:43

Yeah, where it stands right now, the Cowboys are pretty much in the middle of the defensive rankings. They are a 5th 15th in yards per game. That breaks down to their 11th best in the past yards per game and 24th in the rush yards per game. So, you know, offensive and defensive side of the ball. They're much better in the passing game than they are in the running game, which, you Is what we like to hear because we have two very good running backs and we want to exploit that run defense.

Jason Harwood: 19:11

That's correct. All right. So without further ado, we're going to head off to our first interview. It's with Joseph Hoyt. He's a beat reporter for the Cowboys. mostly touch on the offense with with Joseph. We'll see on the other side. Talking Grit would like to welcome Joseph Hoyt, Cowboys Beat Reporter for All City and DLLS. How you doing, Joe?

Joseph Hoyt: 19:40

Jason, how are you doing?

Jason Harwood: 19:41

I'm doing real well. Yeah, great to have you on great for, You clearing out your schedule and helping us out here. I appreciate it.

Joseph Hoyt: 19:47

Yeah, no problem, man. I'm excited for this game this weekend. Obviously a rematch of a fun one we had last year too. And I think two different teams from last year as well, a little bit. So I'm excited to dive in.

Jason Harwood: 19:57

Yeah. Good. Um, first of all, the question I have, you know, Dell's Cowboys are one of those teams that either you love them or hate them. So how is it covering a team like that with that dynamic?

Joseph Hoyt: 20:09

Yeah, no, a very interesting question. Um, I mean, the Cowboys are America's team, which means you get America's attention and that means you get a lot of people who don't like them and a lot of people love them to your point. And I think honestly, it's more about what the national perspective is of the team, covering the team locally. For a team that has such a big national brand, um, you don't go a day without seeing some type of hot take or claim about, um, something. I was even laughing, um, during last Sunday, Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, because there was a sideline sequence after a DAC press get in the reception where CD lamb is seen like kind of mouthing something. And it was funny because you wonder just kind of sometimes. Yeah. What the inherent bias of whoever creating things is like, Ooh, that looks traumatic. Let's kind of make it traumatic. It was a, it was a clip where CDs literally just saying, Hey, jump ball for. Throw the jump ball to me instead of the back shoulder. And then after that, they like cut the deck Prescott with his head down and very just in his thing, and it almost looks sad and it was just very dramatic for something that like they talk all the time. So to your point, there's just a lot of attention on this team. And that's kind of the thing I've noticed in the years covering them.

Jason Harwood: 21:12

Yeah. I, for a Lions fan, we're pretty much out of the game. Everybody's attention for, you know, 30 years or longer. And so we are kind of getting used to some of that additional attention and just critique that you get, um, it would be in, a team that, America wants to see so, and, you know, we'll be on America's game of the week. this week with you guys. We're looking forward to that. I'll report eligible for watching that game. If we go back to last week's or last year's matchup. So, which was totally not your guys's fault. That was Brad Allen's fault. So I don't blame any Cowboys for any of that, but that was ridiculous.

Joseph Hoyt: 21:49

That was wild, man. I was in the press box for that. And I just. It was like, what, what just happened? Like, and everyone's trying to piece it together. And that was insane.

Jason Harwood: 21:56

Yeah. Cause it was like that on the broadcast too, cause they were trying to figure it out at the same time. They probably have more information available to And then you do in the press conference or press box, but you probably have like the, the TV broadcast going up there. I would imagine. Don't you.

Joseph Hoyt: 22:11

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We have that going. Um, but even so it's sometimes with those things, it's so hectic. And because that was such an important point in the game too. It was like, trying to figure it out on the fly really quickly. Cause it mattered,

Jason Harwood: 22:20

Right. And you guys probably had a lot of your article written for like what you're going to write about the game at that point, cause it's right towards the end. And then all of a sudden the whole focus of the game switches from what happened before to. That play. Right.

Joseph Hoyt: 22:35

it's crazy, dude. Yeah. Even last game with the Cowboys, just a little behind the scenes, like, they, they have a game winning touchdown. And so we have to have a story ready to go right when the game ends. So it's like, 30 seconds left. That's a then you hear things that the guy who caught the ga quote, um, hurt his, I wo he hurt his area down the know, that was like, it's It's funny.

Jason Harwood: 23:00

that's crazy. Um, I was looking through some of the stuff that you had written and you had an article, uh, that Jared Jones made a comment, um, it's time for the no names to become names us. Lions fans that may not be familiar with that. Who, who's he referring to? And with that comment,

Joseph Hoyt: 23:17

Yeah. So he m couple of days before the kind of more in defense of Because he had started the offseason by saying, Hey, we're going to go all in this season. And when you hear that as a fan, you're like, Oh, okay. So here come the moves. Here come the trades. Here come the big, the big moves. And ultimately they never came. So he was kind of saying, Hey, these no names have to become names. And what do I mean by that is the young guys that we have on the roster that you've not heard of really yet, maybe the seventh rounders from a couple of years ago, six rounders, the undrafted guys, and then even the rookies in this year's class, they got to become names. And I thought because of the timing of all the injuries, the Cowboys had no Micah Parsons last week, no DeMarcus Lawrence, no Brandon cooks that you had to see guys like, yeah, maybe you'd heard of Jalen Tolbert, but he's not only got to be just a guy that can get three targets and make one play, but he's He's got to be a guy that could be a number two receiver. And you saw that happen. He had 10 led the team with 10 targets because they're really covering CD lamb a lot. And then you had to have guys on defense to like Chauncey goals and make plays that you'd heard of a little bit, but now he had to make plays. You'd never heard of Tyrus wheat, probably if you were a Cowboys fan, I'm sure lions fans have never heard of him, but he had to play 72 percent of snaps on defense last week because of, uh, the injuries going into the game and then the subsequent injury to second round pick March on Nealon. So long story short, there's just a lot of guys that like. Maybe you'd heard of or maybe you hadn't heard of that had to become not only household names in a set in a moment, but they had to become guys that the Cowboys relied upon heavily against the Steelers and will against the Lions as well.

Jason Harwood: 24:42

yeah, the injury bug is, has bitten you pretty hard. That's, sometimes it's not. Who you face, it's when you face them and this, you know, lions better be ready to take advantage of it because,, loosen out on, your top two defensive players is, is going to be huge. Um, with the offense here, uh, Dak Prescott, I've been looking at his stats. He's very good against pressure here. He's like the least, one of the least blitz quarterbacks, Why, why is he so good at handling pressure? Is it the offense's design or is it something that Dax doing?

Joseph Hoyt: 25:13

Yeah, great question. I think, um, I think it's a little bit of both frankly. Um, I think Dak is very cool and calm. Um, he doesn't really freak out. Um, it's funny because even if they're losing by 21, players will tell you that he comes into the huddle and he's very just like, all right, we're gonna win this game. Let's and this is how we're gonna do it. And it's like All right, Zach, but you know, it's kind of a testament just how much he believes not only himself, but his teammates, but the other thing from an offensive standpoint to your point. is they really harp heavily on 2. 3 and that's kind of the time clock that they want the ball to come out by. Or at least, hey, now you gotta go make a play Dak Prescott. So I think when you have such an integrated time clock and you have an offense that's based on the timing of that, where you're gonna have, guys with West Coast principles running. Hey, this guy's gonna do a short curl, but over here. Maybe this is your third grade. It's going to actually do a little bit of a deeper route. So if you don't hit this window, you're going to have to move over there. Um, so he's very good at just kind of knowing the timing of things. Um, it kind of helps when you have your first options. Usually a guy like CD lamb who can get open. Um, he's one of the best in the game and, uh, he got paid like this, like it for a reason. Um, he's still not, he missed training camp, so he's still not exactly where, you want him to be, but he's still a guy that Dak Prescott looks too often. And then Jalen Tolbert's a guy that's going to have to step up kind of, as I mentioned again, but Dak, Dak just has a good feel for. Um, I tell you though this, uh, it's been sped up this year because of, uh, a rookie left tackle who's been struggling. Um, and Terrence Steele, who, who, who's always been kind of a struggle in pass protection and, uh, that really hasn't changed that much this season.

Jason Harwood: 26:45

Yeah. You mentioned the next guy I wanted to talk about, C. D. Lamb. I mean, he got paid this offseason, like you said, uh, you know, people, fantasy players, they're very interested in him. You know, he's had 378 yards so far this season. From our perspective, those, uh, the holdout didn't slow him down at all. Um, but for you, I mean, you see him every day in and out, so you'll notice more things than we will. How do you think he's looked? Is he, you know, 80 percent of where he should be, or is he all the way? What's your opinion on that?

Joseph Hoyt: 27:17

Yeah, I think, I don't think he was, it's weird because I think CeeDee Lamb at 80 percent is still a Pro Bowl receiver, right? And I still think that he's, Right now. He's been really good. Um, he's had a couple of plays where you go, man, that's, that's the CD lamb of last year. I think the thing missing right now is the consistency though. And part of it is the attention he's getting because not only is Brandon cooks out, um, but you're early in the season. You had Jake Ferguson, who's the one of their go to tight ends. He was hurt a little bit. Um, and the offense itself, to be honest with you, was very stale through the first four games. They were, they did not utilize motion at all. Um, the running game was non existent. In the first four games that both those things kind of changed last week, but they also really paid a lot of attention to see lamb and then in kind of a sloggy track, it was kind of hard for him to get open long question short, I don't think he's, he's back to being the CD lamb of old. He also added a lot more muscle this off season. So part of me wonders if you still kind of trying to figure out exactly how to carry that a little bit. Um, I still think that he's kind of finding his footing, um, and I think they're going to need him to find his footing against this, uh, Detroit lions defense.

Jason Harwood: 28:23

Oh, nice. All right. Um, you just mentioned the rushing offense been pretty dismal. Um, is that? Because of the RB situation or offensive line or combination of both.

Joseph Hoyt: 28:34

Yeah, I think it's a combination of both, but also throw in the fact that they haven't had a lot of attempts up until at least last week. Um, because game situations dictated against it. If you go look back at the Baltimore game, the New Orleans game, they were down early and by a lot very early. So ultimately, running the ball was kind of something they couldn't really do if they want to get back in the game. Cleveland, they couldn't sustain in the season open. They couldn't sustain drives because they were struggling on third downs, so therefore less attempts there. This past week was finally the first time where you, you saw what you thought the running game could be. And I'll put a little asterisk on that because there was not very high expectations in the off season after they lost Tony Pollard. And instead of trying to replicate someone with that kind of financial commitment, they turned around and re signed Rico Dowdell, who's been, who's been shown a lot of promise, but as a former undrafted free agent. who had a lot of injury issues, and then they went back and signed Ezekiel Elliot, who there's a reason why they paid him to leave, and so two years ago and brought him back. So ultimately, though, I think Rico Dattel. They've been preaching this running back by committee approach. And I think last week is when we kind of first saw almost like an episode of succession or something where one person really just stuck out. And that was Rico Dowdle. Uh, he had, uh, um, a career high in rushing yards. He had a career high in rushing attempts. He had a career high in total yards, had a 22 yard diving touchdown on a pass from Dak Prescott. And I think the most important thing with Rico Dowdle last week, if you go watch the film, there was synchronicity between the timing, between. His running and also the offensive lines development of blocks. Um, one thing that often, according to Brian Schottenheimer told us was that he was, he runs a little too hot, meaning he just kind of sees a hole and hits it. And, that's good. Right. You have a guy who wants to hit the hole, but they needed him to slow it down a little bit. So they call it slow to go, slow and then go when it's open. And that can kind of help with his vision. It's funny. I wrote a story and I don't know if there's any Chapel Realms fans out there, but she has a song called a hot to go. So I. I changed it to S L O T O G O to think about the Cowboys running game. So if you want to know how they'll be successful against Detroit, slow to go.

Jason Harwood: 30:35

So to go lions, if one thing they're known for is stopping the run. And that's one thing that Dan Campbell preaches that we're going to stop the run. Dak Prescott's, you know, what's he leading the league right now in passing, so you may be playing into their hand a little bit if we're just going to dominate the run. So it'll be interesting to see, um, how is the offensive line? Are you, there a development there? Are they progressing? I know you're facing some injuries there.

Joseph Hoyt: 31:02

Yeah, so Tyler guidance expected as of right now, we're gonna find out more today, to be honest with you on on Wednesday, October 9th, but he's expected to play. He had a knee injury, kind of a little minor one that kept him out for the rest of the game against Pittsburgh. But that kind of allowed them to also see what life would be like if Tyler guy wasn't playing right now. And yeah, it looked a little bit better to be honest with you. They, they moved Tyler Smith. They're all pro, um, left guard to left tackle. They brought in TJ Bass off the bench and I think collectively it looked a little bit better. Um, the problem with that is they chose to go down this path of, of drafting a raw, a raw offensive tackle. Right? So Tyler Guyton is extremely talented, but he's extremely green. He's only had, he had one start at left tackle in college. He had, um, less than 20, uh, starts overall at tackle in college. So, but he's six foot eight has, good arms is very athletic. So he's still trying to figure out his way. And he's trying, they're trying to develop them as, as they go. And when you're trying to do that, you have growing pains. And to be honest with you, there's been a lot of growing pains so far with Tyler garden in terms of penalties and in terms of, um, Just get it, allowing pressures. If you go back and watch what Nick Herbig, um, who's the Steelers opposite the Steelers, third pass rusher. So, TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and then Herbig. If you go watch what Nick Herbig did to Tyler Guyton on Sunday, that could excite a lot of, uh, Lions fans at the possibility of Aiden Hutchinson lining up on Tyler Guyton. Um, so yeah, we'll see about that, but collectively not, not as, not as good as people would have hoped at this point.

Jason Harwood: 32:37

Okay. So let me ask you if you're, you know, you're running the Cowboys offense, how are you going to attack this Lions defense? How do you think that's going to go?

Joseph Hoyt: 32:46

Yeah. I mean, I mean, the lines are good, and, and, and, and, and, the unfortunate thing about Dallas is I think you have to run the ball to open up the past a little bit. To be honest, I think you need to utilize emotion. Um, maybe do some screen game that will help. And I think that's what I would try to do even against the tough lines events that that's the problem though. Right. And, um, or the other option is, and I think you saw a little bit of this in the first half against the sealers. Maybe throw to set up the pass a little bit, maybe, maybe get Dak Prescott on some quick games. Um, maybe do some quick hitters, um, in the flats, with guys like Kavante Turpin, who's a guy that Lions fans probably haven't heard a lot about, but he's extremely fast, extremely athletic short. He's their kick returner, but he's been kind of developing into more of just the gadget player, right? Dak Prescott hit him on a seam route, which is Dak's favorite route. Hit him on a scene for about a 25 yard gain. Um, and Kvante is like 5'9 5'8 so, he had to really make sure he got it open to him. So, I think that those are the two options. Either you really harp early on the running game and kind of get creative with it and try to open up the pass. Or you say, you know what, dude? Against this line's defense, let's hope that our tackles can give us enough time. Um, I think that they believe that their interior offensive line can do that with a rookie, Cooper Beebe, at center. and Tyler smith. Um, so I something that they will at the end of the day, I Jason comes down to what and how can he put them o know, sometimes it gets i bit of trouble. He's a co Redstone turnovers last last weekend's the sealers. But at the end of the day, he also threw the game winning touchdown pass on fourth and goal.

Jason Harwood: 34:20

Yeah. I tend to, before these interviews, I sometimes go on Reddit just to get a feel of what people, you know, think about their team and just generally, so I get some questions or some topics. And one of the memes I saw was, deck prescott, the cause of, and solution to all of our problems. And. You know, I think a lot of teams feel like that around their quarterback. I know when the math or Stafford's time with us, that's exactly how I felt. And some of it was just caring, trying to carry too much of the team on your back. You know, if you don't have a running game, like Safford didn't, you're, going to put out there and when the ball goes in there, there's a lot more chance for turnovers and stuff like that. Um, so you're talking about the offensive line play. Do you think? of that, problems with the tackles that you talk about is the reason why they're getting the ball out so fast. Is that part of their strategy?

Joseph Hoyt: 35:09

Yeah, I think it has to. I think they've always really kind of harped on under or the last two years, at least under Mike McCarthy calling plays that the 2. 3 seconds is kind of something that it's just a good time clock number for them because that's what they base a lot of their offensive timing on and. At 2. 3 seconds. If you're Dak Prescott, you gotta, you gotta start making plays. If that's the case last week, we actually saw a play where he had a little bit of time, but he allowed that time clock to go to four seconds as he was trying to wait for a come on, take turpentine, get over on a drag route. What happened that allowed Nick Herbig and TJ Watson collide with him after the four second mark, um, force a fumble in the red zone. Next thing you know, it's it's Steelers ball. And I think that that was kind of a good. Testament of why he needs to get the ball a little bit earlier, especially with these, um, tackles kind of struggling and pass protection. Um, I, I do think Tyler Guyton is going to play, but you know, there is that, that possibility that he doesn't. And, I think that's one thing Lions fans should consider a little bit is, what would it be like if Tyler Smith has some of the left tackle and they throw in someone, maybe TJ Bass, maybe someone else to play left guard, we'll find out more today on that. So if you're a Lions fan, pay attention a little bit to that, but that's kind of the one catalyst, I think, in terms of. I think that they'd be better at pass protection that way, frankly.

Jason Harwood: 36:18

Okay.

Joseph Hoyt: 36:19

so that's, uh, I don't know if it'd be better in the run game, but I think. At this point in this season, it's kind of funny. We talked about our show a little bit where it's like, if this was like game seven of the world series, right? Yeah. You don't, you don't ask your, starting pitcher on through two days rest to come out of the bullpen in the eighth and ninth inning. Right. But you need it. And the Lions game is a big game for them. Obviously. I think getting that win against the Steelers set them up, uh, gave them a little bit of cushion. You kind of wonder, it's like, Hey, this is a huge one, potential playoff preview. Do you. Do you throw that starting picture in the ninth inning? Right. you use that lineup that just works better right now, even though it's not the best for the long run? That's something that I'm kind of watching this week.

Jason Harwood: 36:57

Yeah. That's tough. I think that's a great point that you just made. He's like, are you going all in for one game or are you gonna, look at the line? The long term effects, but you know, that's what the coaching staff gets paid for. Right. You know, determine all that stuff. before we let you out of here, uh, first thing we do is we like to ask our guests for any prediction on the game. It doesn't have to be the end score or anything like that. Just something that you feel comfortable saying, Hey, I think this is what's going to happen. So any predictions that you think for this game?

Joseph Hoyt: 37:25

Yeah. I know we've talked a lot about the Cowboys offense, but my prediction probably isn't the lions offense. Um, the Cowboys run defenses played was horrible, frankly, in the first three games of the season. Um, and it took, the last two weeks they've took a giant step. Um, I, I, I. I don't think that they take that step again against Detroit. If I'm a fantasy guy, I am, I am hammering, Jameer Gibbs, Dave Montgomery, whatever combo you want to do with that. Or if you have both on your roster. Like I, I think that they're going to have a great game and ultimately I do think the lions win this game. Um, I think that they get a little bit of revenge from last year. Um, I think, we saw the other factor that can't really be calculated. This is a tough line seem like tough, the gritty, obviously they're kind of. In the model of their head coach. And I think the Cowboys for the first time last week, though, showed fight and grit this season. Um, I'm wondering if that translates over. So I guess the two predictions, the Lions running game is going to do really well. Um, I think the Lions ultimately win, but I think though that the Cowboys found some fight last week and I think that they're going to fight against this team.

Jason Harwood: 38:30

Yeah, that's good. I mean, lion, you know, it's really funny. The talk around here is after you play the lions, every team that's played the lines that they've lost the following week. And I think it goes to show you that, you know, you're just going to be in a dog fight, but the lions to your point have also gotten the best shot from all, a lot of teams, which for many years we were the, you know, afterthought I'm going to, this is the get right game, whatever. But we're, we're. Having a faith that as a Lions fan, we're having to face everyone's, you know, number one punch. So it's You know, it's interesting. So I do like your prediction. You're appeasing to our listeners. So that's really cool. So they might want you back on, um,

Joseph Hoyt: 39:10

There you go.

Jason Harwood: 39:10

before we go here, Joseph, tell us how we could check you out and where we could find you.

Joseph Hoyt: 39:15

Yeah, you can find, uh, my work on, uh, at, on social media at Joe J. Hoyt, H O Y T. Um, we have a, uh, uh, five days a week show on YouTube, um, at All City D L L S that we do on YouTube that turns into a podcast. It's very fun. Um, but also my written work will be on all D L L S dot com.

Jason Harwood: 39:35

All right. Well, thanks for coming on. Uh, you know, I'm not going to wish you good luck this week, but I'll wish you good luck for the rest of the season.

Joseph Hoyt: 39:42

Appreciate it, Jason. Thank

Jason Harwood: 39:46

And I hope you enjoyed that interview with Joseph. Now we're going to head on to. Skywalker Steel. He also goes, his real name's Will. Skywalker's not his real first name

Jacob: 39:56

What cool would that be?

Jason Harwood: 39:57

Yeah, I mean, that would be awesome if he'd come out and, you

Jacob: 40:00

You should have named one of your kids Skywalker.

Jason Harwood: 40:03

don't think so. I tried to suggest K Line you know, after Tiger's great, but, I was X nayed on that pretty

Jacob: 40:12

Yeah.

Jason Harwood: 40:12

Skywalker would have fell on deaf ears, but you know, he comes out with a, you know, a lightsaber out of the womb. Did his own C section. He

Jacob: 40:19

Yes. You should have suggested Skywalker first, and then when she shot that down, then you go to K Line.

Jason Harwood: 40:24

yes, you're

Jacob: 40:25

Missed your chance.

Jason Harwood: 40:26

I did. That's too bad. Preston is, you know, forever Preston now. He won't change his name. right. So we're gonna head over to Skywalker Seal. We've talked mostly defense with him. Talking Grit is here with Skywalker Steele from the A to Z Sports Dallas Morning Show. You can find him on YouTube. We're so happy to have him. So glad that he could clear out some time in the schedule for us. So first of all, Will, how are you doing? Hey,

Skywalker Steele: 40:55

Just just got done studying up on the Detroit Lions. So when I got the invite, I was excited to accept it and talk to you guys about it because I like to know more about the opposing team and what better way. Then a fan who knows the team more than I do. So thanks for having me on.

Jason Harwood: 41:12

so, how long you been doing your show and how long you've been covering the Cowboys, just so you can give our, uh, listeners a little bit of context of who we're talking to here.

Skywalker Steele: 41:21

I've been covering the Cowboys, uh, professionally for four seasons. Now it's the fourth season. Uh, I've been doing Cowboys content, man, dating all the way back to 2000, maybe 15, you know, on my own, and then, you know, took this particular job to cover them full time, the last four seasons for my morning show over on A to Z Sports Dallas. So I've been a dream come true. Excited to. You know, cover my childhood team I grew up loving, but it can be tough as a Cowboy fan, but I'll push through it.

Jason Harwood: 41:55

Yeah, well, as Alliance fan, I know what it's like to be tough to, uh, deal with that. And we've had our, you know, our two franchises have definitely had some, you know, calls, I would say in our history and you know, we are passive cross for sure, but glad to have you on here. So, uh, first thing I'm going to ask you is the name Skywalker. Where, where did that came come from? I got an, I got to know.

Skywalker Steele: 42:18

Everyone thinks it's because of Star Wars. It's not. I had a buddy of mine, Big Game James is his name. He also covers the Cowboys as a creator. Uh, when I was in Facebook groups, you know, giving my opinions on things, this was years ago when Facebook groups were okay to be in. I don't know about now. I'm not on Facebook anymore. Uh, and I was doing podcasts via SoundCloud and posting it. He would, he would listen, he would see how I, you know, reacted or how I would, uh, interact, engage. And he said, Hey man, I would love to get you on the show. Invite you on and we did that a few times and he would call me young Jedi Skywalker And I'm like man, I Skywalker that I like that. That's a nice ringtone to it You mind if I use that professionally Skywalker steel and he's like, hey, man, I don't care. It's awesome So I kept it in and rest is history

Jason Harwood: 43:07

That's good. Are you a star wars fan at all or no?

Skywalker Steele: 43:11

Origin, I like the old school Star Wars stuff. I'm not really big on the new stuff.

Jason Harwood: 43:15

no, it's all right. All right. Let's get onto some football. That's what people are here to listen to. Um, I'm going to mostly focus on defense with you, but I got a, there's an offensive player that I want to hear your take on because I, he's. Personally, one of my favorites is Jake Ferguson. If he wasn't on the Cowboys, he, he would fit well on the lions just cause he just seems like a gritty personality. So. You know, he's not flashy. How does he get the job done? How does he do it

Skywalker Steele: 43:41

Jake was a former linebacker And in high school and you see that mentality at Jake Ferguson on the field. Uh, I believe it was Barry Alvarez is his grand pop. So, you know, he's, he's, he's not, you know, he understands the game. He understands the sport. He understands the pain. You see that passion flow right through him on the field. But, but Jake Ferguson is a matchup problem when you actually get on the field because he's sneaky, quick. He's sneaky athletic. A lot of people, they think this is some Jason Whitten 2. 0. No, this is not. Um, he's much more Sam LaPorta in that than Jason Whitten. Where, you know, you guys got one on your side, where Sam Porter gets that rock, next thing you know, he's getting yak up the field making guys miss. Uh, love Jake. We love Jake here. He's kind of the heart and soul of this offense in regards to the skilled players. And I'm pretty sure a lot of teams would love to have Jake Ferguson. But yeah, he's an x factor every week. And if they can get him going better for the Cowboys.

Jason Harwood: 44:43

I love the way butts and play, but man, he was so gritty in the game that we played last year, he was fired up and, you know, of course during the game, I'm yelling at him because, you know, he's on the opposing team, but secretly inside I'm like, yeah, I want that guy on my

Skywalker Steele: 44:55

Yeah. Yeah, he's good, man. He's good. He's our dog is what we say. I don't know if you watch the Seattle game last year, but he matched Seattle's energy with Jamal Adams and other guys just trying to be in his face and you know, trying to intimidate him not happening. You're not intimidating Jake Ferguson.

Jason Harwood: 45:12

Yeah, that's awesome. You need a guy like that, right? You need an enforcer, for a hockey term, you just need someone to come out there and say, you ain't going to push me around. You just mentioned that he was a former linebacker. I want to hear about your linebacker group. I've been hearing very positive things about them. Uh, what's your impression on them?

Skywalker Steele: 45:28

You know, last year they used safeties at linebackers. So it didn't take much. It wasn't going to take much for Cowboys fans to be excited about an actual linebacker group. Uh, but in reality, this is a really solid group, uh, led by now I say led by because he's the leader in Eric Kendricks, right? Who played under Mike Zimmer for years in Minnesota, former all pro there. He's having a solid season, keeping things in control of the quarterback of that defense. But he's booked in by two really young athletic. physical linebackers, Emeritus Leo found Marvion overshown, who overshown currently given all the injuries on your defense might be your best defensive player or one of with, say, a Jordan Lewis who you guys are familiar with. Um, he's playing really good ball. Leo fouls getting better each week. The linebackers to me, you know, the defensive lines going to have to keep them guys clean. But if they can, they're going to be the key to this game and trying to defend that run game that's dynamic for you guys. I like our chances this year even more than last year. You know, the Cowboys played you guys. Well, I like the linebacking group's chances more than I did. The safety's playing linebacker last season.

Jason Harwood: 46:36

So you kind of touched on it a little bit with your injuries, so many of your impact players on your lines are going to be out. So how are the Cowboys generating pass rush in their absence?

Skywalker Steele: 46:46

It'll have to be Mike Zimmer dialing up exotic looks and blitzing those linebackers, right? Maybe blitzing the safeties, maybe blitzing the Uh, cornerbacks just throwing different looks at jared golf, men, johnson and company. It's not going to be from the defensive ends. We're talking about guys who are primarily, you know, run defenders right now playing defensive end. The Cowboys are down their top four guys, Michael Parsons, the Marcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Marshawn Nealon. I don't know how many teams are down there for guys at any position. The Cowboys are they're out there with practice squad guys and guys. They just, you know, signed last week. So I don't foresee them getting pressure in that way. It'll have to be with, you know, stunts and exotic looks. And, you know, looking at the film, I notice, you know, excellent offensive line you guys have, but. Utilizing the stunts is a way to kind of get some pressure on Jared golf and, and trip it up this offensive line. So trying to run right through them. It's not going to happen with the group of Cowboys have. So you're going to have to do some exotic looks mugged EA gaps, blitz of safety blitz, a corner, um, maybe overload one side. It's, it's gotta be one of those games where we're throwing the kids to sink at you guys.

Jason Harwood: 47:53

Now, do you think they'll up the blitz rate? Cowboys are 11th and blitz rate when I just looked at the stats. So do you think that that's what they're going to have to do? Or do you think they're going to. Lean more on the exotic looks.

Skywalker Steele: 48:04

I don't think they're going to change too much. And in the blitz rate, I feel like they'll, they'll blitz, right? I think it's going to be how you're doing it. Are you just, are you just sending Eric Kendricks down the middle or are you blitzing with the stunt involved? Are you overloading one side now blitzing the corner? It'll, it'll have to be. In a way that makes Jared Goff hold the ball for one more tick so you can get a covered sack. I noticed he's been sacked five times in the last two weeks and four of those five sacks were covered sacks. So it can't just be all out cover zero and Goff knows where it's coming from because now he knows where to go with the ball. So you got to be able to do something to where he has to get it out quick. But he also has to hold it an extra tick because maybe I'm dropping this linebacker to buzz underneath it. I'm blitzing from the opposite side and now we're getting a coverage sack because you're not going to generate it with Tyrus wheat and Chauncey ghosting as your starter as a defensive end.

Jason Harwood: 49:02

You mentioned Micah Parsons. We're recording this before the injury report comes out today. Is there any chance that he plays this week?

Skywalker Steele: 49:09

No way,

Jason Harwood: 49:09

No way.

Skywalker Steele: 49:10

no way. He'll, he'll probably advocate for it. Heck, he was advocating to play last week. He's dealing with a high ankle. Those are, I don't know, typically a guy coming back after two weeks from a high ankle, there's a bi week after this week. So you'll have three weeks, three and a half weeks. You'll have to rest. Uh, after, after the bi week, once you include it and you got San Francisco. So I just, I just don't see it happening at all. It's Duran Bland who may come back in this game per reports, but Micah, I highly doubt you'll see Mike out there.

Jason Harwood: 49:41

Well, I can't say that I'm sad about that. I'm not happy about an injury at all, but if he's going to miss a game, I'm glad it's the game that

Skywalker Steele: 49:47

Yeah. Him and Panesu had some battles last week, last year. That was fun to watch.

Jason Harwood: 49:50

do. But they see the soul is just, yeah, he's, he's

Skywalker Steele: 49:54

You talk about your guys, Jake, for Panesu. Love watching that guy play. Wish we got him on our team.

Jason Harwood: 50:01

Yeah. If he didn't play offensive line, he could play a tight end. That guy is incredibly athletic.

Skywalker Steele: 50:08

Yes.

Jason Harwood: 50:08

only thrown one pass to him, um, so far and he made a catch and got a first down on it. But yeah, love, love. But a soul that's, how often does a guy on the other side love your, your offensive lineman? That tells you how talented he is. I think.

Skywalker Steele: 50:22

Oh, it was amazing.

Jason Harwood: 50:24

right. We've talked about two levels of the defense. Let's talk about the one that's left the secondary. Um, that includes the former lion, uh, Amani Arroyo.

Skywalker Steele: 50:33

Yeah.

Jason Harwood: 50:34

Yeah, so he had to play a lot of snaps the last game just because of injuries you guys are dealing with. Um, tell us how that secondary is lined up and we, you know, tell us how Amani is doing.

Skywalker Steele: 50:44

Well, he made the game clinching pick two weeks ago in New York. And then last week, uh, there's a play where I think was not yours made him look silly a little bit. But again, he's practice squad player being called up because you're down to your fifth corner. So I'm not really expecting Amani to be a game changer of sorts. And in that game against him. The Steelers, they don't have a prolific passing attack. So it's kind of got a grade that one on a, on a scale. Uh, Justin Fields is not a thrower in that manner. Both of his touchdowns went to tight ends. Uh, he doesn't really throw to his receiver. So it was tough to really tell this game. You'll get a good read on Amani, but that's if Deron blend doesn't play. Because right now, Duran Bland is looking like, according to Steven Jones, Cowboys vice president, son of Jerry, says that, uh, Duran Bland could play 20, 25 snaps in this game. So if you get him back and now you got Trayvon Diggs on the other side, who's starting to, you know, ramp it up a little bit more after the ACL. And then you got a guy you guys are very familiar with, Jordan Lewis from Detroit hometown kid, always gets up to play Detroit two games in a row. He has interceptions. Hopefully he makes it three. I like that group against the Lions group of Jameson and St. Um, almost a St. Patrick St. Brown plus Patrick.

Jason Harwood: 52:02

Yeah. We

Skywalker Steele: 52:03

I like that group. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Right. So I like that group. Uh, but Amani and look, he had a great year for you guys. But I'm not expecting that type of output from him, but he did overtake Andrew Booth, who was benched for his bad play against the Lions. But hey, man, when you're the cornerback six, I'm not, I'm not looking for you to do a whole lot. Just don't get beat a bunch.

Jason Harwood: 52:25

Yep. That's the way to go. Um, you know, your secondary is given up. I looked at the passing yards is under 200 yards a game. I'm thinking that's more to do with your run defense and people not having to pass on you. Is that, is that where the stats, you know, kind

Skywalker Steele: 52:39

Well,

Jason Harwood: 52:40

or what do you think?

Skywalker Steele: 52:41

it's, it is very interesting, right? Because the saints actually, and I believe the Ravens may be the only really two teams to really, Throw on you successfully, uh, to the point where they were able to score in doing so, but also in those games, they ran the ball on you.

Jason Harwood: 52:58

Mm hmm.

Skywalker Steele: 52:58

Ironically, they're the only two teams to run the ball on you successfully. So the Cowboys are in this weird stage with their defense where As fans, after what happened in weeks two and three, there was a panic if they could be able to stop the run. But in weeks one, weeks four and week five, uh, they did well against the run. Uh, the problem is those teams weren't the greatest at running in general, you know, Devin Singletary, Najee Harris, Jerome Ford, no one's scared of those guys. And then they're, they don't have a scheme that really. Threatens you as well. When you played against two teams that do have good running back slash quarterback. They did kill you, right? So this one is really gonna be kind of the the telling Game for this run defense if it's really came around to being good because they've held teams to under three yards per carry The last two weeks, but again Giants Pittsburgh, you guys have two running backs who are top ten in success rate So it's not gonna be an easy feat to deal with that as for the past defense That's Mike Zimmer's baby. Mike Zimmer has always, when he's as healthy and he has good players, he's always put out really good past defenses. So yeah, there's something two teams being able to run, but it was just, just two teams running on you. I think the past defense is its strength. I think it keeps things in front of them. You get to Ron Bland back now, Jordan Lewis, Trayvon Diggs. It's not easy to throw on those guys when they're healthy. Um, so I don't think that's a mirage. I think throughout the season, you will see the Cowboys past defense actually be pretty dang solid. The next step is to get turnovers. They, they, they haven't got the turnovers

Jason Harwood: 54:35

That's an important part of, you know, the secondary knocking the ball down, but also getting the turnovers. We have Carlton Davis and our secondary is pretty decent at, uh, knocking out passes, but bring them in. And sometimes you just need, you could deal with a couple of touchdowns if you get those interceptions sometimes, but, um, all right. So you kind of touched on it a little bit, but I'm gonna ask you. Looking at from the Dallas Cowboys angle. What can, what is the thing that you're concerned most about when you look at the Detroit team, when you've looked at the film?

Skywalker Steele: 55:07

again. I've, I've just specifically watched the offense. I'll, I'll, I'll be watching the defense today for those who are listening. If you want to check out my analysis on that tomorrow, which would be Thursday. Uh, you can, so I've just watched the offense. And the thing that concerns me most is that you are down the Cowboys. That is. You are down to your defensive in five and six, but for the most part, right? And you're down to your 35 year old nose tackle in a second year nose tackle who is still trying to figure it out. You got an undersized three tech and, and also who I like, but that front four against. Your offensive line and run game concerns the hell out of me because if you guys can live in second and short Third and short or no third downs at all. The play action game is available The play sheet is wide open Ben Johnson can get in his bag and now we're talking about maybe deep shots Maybe some deep crosses Jameson Williams getting involved all that stuff Is available to you if you guys can run what you guys have been. So I'm, I look, I'm gonna be, I don't use the word scared a lot. I don't hate to use that word, but I'm scared as hell of that offensive line in this run game in Detroit. It's the best one. We'll probably see all season. It's the most, it's the most successful one. We'll see all season and the problem that Cowboys had in the two games where they've been run on is a combination of a team out scheming you and out physically. They're just more physical than you up front. You guys can do both. That's that's a great combination.

Jason Harwood: 56:39

That's a good compliment.

Skywalker Steele: 56:40

Oh, by the way, it just happened to have Jameer Gibbs and David Montgomery in the backfield that can run the ball, by the way. So it's not like it's Jerome Ford back then.

Jason Harwood: 56:48

Yeah. I, um, I, if I were you just looking at, you know, well, and I'm probably going to get in this, my own podcast, but the tackling on the Cowboys is the stats do not show good tackling team breaks tackles like, um, like it's second nature to him. So yeah, I can understand that fear.

Skywalker Steele: 57:08

Yeah. Yeah. They, they, they were better last week, uh, in regards to the Pittsburgh, but the previous two weeks and three weeks, really, it was like 30 missed tackles, which was unreal, which the Cowboys were one of the best tackling teams under Dan Quinn. I don't know how that just flipped upside down on his head the next season with the same players, but. Yeah, they got to get better at that. If you're not wrapping up David Montgomery's, he's going to score touchdowns. Like

Jason Harwood: 57:29

Yeah. Sometimes I wonder like, you change a scheme or whatever Mike Zimmer's doing. And then you're, you know, you don't spend as much time on the fundamentals, like the tackling and stuff like that. And you would think those guys, you know, being professional players would, that would be just second nature. But, you know, when you're out there thinking instead of just playing, I think those, those guys, You know, you forget to do the easy stuff

Skywalker Steele: 57:50

that's a good point.

Jason Harwood: 57:51

That's that's the way I look at it. We asked this to all our guests on the game. Any predictions that you have for this game have to be the score. Does that have to be anything like that? Something that you think is going to happen in this game that you see?

Skywalker Steele: 58:05

I'll do a lion's prediction and I'll do a Cowboys prediction. I think the very first play of the game tackle eligible Dan skipper first intent at the 30 yard line tackle eligible sweep left, right, wherever they're running right behind big Dan. Who I don't know if you notice he used to play for the Cowboys. Um, so that's, that's what I'm going to predict. Very first play there. He's going to go to that, uh, referee. He's going to be very loud about it. Very jumping up and down. And you guys are going to get a playoff and it'll be fun. You'll have the commentators laughing about it, but I'm a hundred percent. You're running tackle eligible with Dan Skipper.

Jason Harwood: 58:47

It's funny that you mentioned that is like every home game that I go to with the lions, anytime they mentioned that a player's eligible, the crowd just cheers loudly, it's gotta be the only stadium that someone's cheering for, you know, the six offensive linemen come in and he's eligible, but yeah, I mean, it started out, it was incredibly loud. Like the very first game after the Dallas, like we played the Vikings the following

Skywalker Steele: 59:12

Yeah.

Jason Harwood: 59:13

Taylor Decker come out during the intros and he was, cause he was a player that caught the touchdown pass that was called back and when he ran on the field, it wasn't a hand in the air. It was his rubbing his number, you know,

Skywalker Steele: 59:22

Right.

Jason Harwood: 59:23

he's eligible. But yeah, that's, that was some crazy stuff, man. Um, you said you had two predictions. So you're going to.

Skywalker Steele: 59:30

Yes.

Jason Harwood: 59:30

Yeah. Go ahead. And the other one.

Skywalker Steele: 59:32

For the Cowboys. I'm going to go three games in a row for the hometown kid. Jordan Lewis will get an interception.

Jason Harwood: 59:40

All

Skywalker Steele: 59:40

I don't know what it is about playing the Detroit Lions. He gets up for this. He usually has one of if not his best game of the season against the Lions. Amara St. Brown. We call him sun God over here. He had a lot to say in the offseason about Jordan Lewis and Jordan Lewis is a dog. He's a dog that's pissed off, uh, after what happened at the end of that Steelers game with George Pickens, who was mad because George Lewis was in his grill the whole game. So I feel like. Unfortunately for Sun God or Jeric Goff, he's going to take that out on the Detroit Lions for the third game in a row. Jordan Lewis gets another interception. Will that be enough? Who knows? But, um, I think he gets a pick. That's

Jason Harwood: 1:00:22

I hope that Jared Goss already thrown five of them this year. I think five, four or five, and that's enough. That's enough for the season. He,

Skywalker Steele: 1:00:29

enough.

Jason Harwood: 1:00:29

been very careful with the ball. He goes through like a little stretch here and there that he, you know, whatever he

Skywalker Steele: 1:00:35

Yeah, he's not a, he's not a interception merchant, but you're right. He'll go through these weird stretches.

Jason Harwood: 1:00:39

Yep. That's what he does. So, right. Skywalker, tell us, tell the people where they could find you, check out your stuff and, um, yeah, go ahead.

Skywalker Steele: 1:00:47

Hey, if you guys are interested to check out more of me covering the Lions, you can go on A to Z sports, covering the Cowboys versus the Lions. I should say A to Z sports, Dallas, uh, on YouTube and on Twitter, you can find me as sky Walker still just, just like you hear sky Walker still. And I'm 95 percent of the time talking about the Cowboys. The other 5%, I'm just laughing and having a good time over there.

Jason Harwood: 1:01:10

That's good. Well, everyone wants to be a part of a good time. So I hope you guys check it out. You've been awesome. Well, I appreciate your time and, uh, yeah, you're a natural at this.

Skywalker Steele: 1:01:22

I appreciate that. Thank you for having me on. Um, and again, maybe, maybe we'll wrap again or we'll talk again before the end of the week to get your take on the Detroit Lions. So if that happens, make sure y'all check me out again. Check him out again

Jason Harwood: 1:01:33

Yeah.

Skywalker Steele: 1:01:34

A to Z Sports

Jason Harwood: 1:01:38

Welcome back, everybody. Hope you learned something with those interviews. They were a lot of fun for me. Both those guys were two cool guys and Jacob couldn't make it. Those had to be rescheduled during the day. Luckily I had the day off today and was able to,

Jacob: 1:01:51

Luckily Jason doesn't do anything, so he's just available whenever.

Jason Harwood: 1:01:54

Yep. I was just waiting until, you know, to pick up my boys early from school to go to the Tiger game. So I had time to kill you know, Jacob is running around and taking care of his four kids. So I only have two. So

Jacob: 1:02:06

Busy busy.

Jason Harwood: 1:02:07

Double the amount of time. All right. First thing we're going to get into is some stats to be aware of.

Jacob: 1:02:13

I actually just have one. So my stat to be aware of is the Cowboys red zone statistic. So on offense, the Cowboys are six of 13. They've had 13 trips to the red zone. They've scored touchdowns only six times. That's less than half. And then on defense, they've allowed 14 red zone trips and allowed touchdowns on 11 of those. So the red zone defense is not very good. The red zone offense is also not really good. So I think that that's, you know, something for us to exploit there is being able to make an impact once the game gets into the red zone.

Jason Harwood: 1:02:47

One thing that I'm going to mention is the quick passing game, Dak Prescott. was really proficient in the last game. He was 16 for 19 when he was doing quick passes, which is I think under 2. 3 seconds for 151 yards lines have to be ready for that. Just like week one with Stafford and they were getting the ball out quick. With the offensive line problems that we're talking about with, with Dallas, that's what they're going to, they're going to focus on, especially with this lack of running game, they are going to have to do something to protect Dak because on the outside, against these rookie offensive linemen are, it's just a disaster, especially if they start running stunts and just confusing the heck out of them. You got a rookie center in there. That's that's a tough deal. So I, that's where I'm looking at is we just had to be ready for you know, some quick passing. That's about all I got for stats to be aware of. Some of mine will fit in with the keys to victory. So

Jacob: 1:03:40

The Cowboys are top, they're top five for most penalized team. And I think you can attribute that like we just said, they're flooded with younger players all over, but especially on the offensive line. Three of their five starters are less than three years into the league. A couple of them are rookies. It's going to be very hard for them to stop Hutchinson. And like you said, if we're doing stunts, they're. There's going to be a lot of holding. I imagine there's going to be a lot of penalties in this game too. Yeah.

Jason Harwood: 1:04:10

Well, hopefully we take advantage of it and then we can put deck in some precarious spots and he starts forcing the ball in there. But this is another set I want to mention, you know, Dallas has the fifth lowest tackle rate in the NFL. And I think that's going to play huge in this game. That's, you know, we talk about having a bunch of injured players they, you know, they They're probably just thinking a lot on the field and they're, you know, just missing tackles. And when you have David Montgomery out there with a team that, you know, tackles poorly, that is, you know, great for the Lions. And also Kyle Brandt. Might be giving him, you know, a third scepter for angriest runs if he has another one and he, you know, beats down Dallas. I saw someone complaining to Kyle Brandt that he's picking the same players and Kyle's like, well, it's on everybody else to do better because Dave Montgomery is killing it. And he is, he is a beast. All right, Jacob, I'm going to start out with our keys to victory. I'm gonna give him my first one.

Jacob: 1:05:08

Yeah.

Jason Harwood: 1:05:09

Hutch needs to be a monster and disrupt deck. You know, Two games of good sales. He's had four and a half sacks. expecting at least one in this game, if not more. Obviously leading the league in pressures. I think he's still 11 ahead. You know, we had a bi week last week and he's still 11 ahead of the next person in, in

Jacob: 1:05:30

Crazy

Jason Harwood: 1:05:31

pressures, which I could say, and he's, you know, playing at an all pro level. And. It's going to be hard for them to stop them, especially if they don't have a running game to be scared of. Man, that, you know, he could just go full till. You just got to keep watch Dak because he will run. We have to watch that and, you know, still contain the rush lanes. But if we could crunch yeah. And Dak is, is mistake prone, you know.

Jacob: 1:05:56

for sure. I've got an offensive and a defensive key to victory. So I'm just going to go with my defensive one. Cause it kind of touches on what you said too. So the key to victory I have for the defense, it's going to look a lot like it did last week. We shut down the running game and we make them throw the ball. You know, the Cowboys finally let Rico Doudle take over last week. They had been splitting carries like a 50 50 between him and Ezekiel Elliott, and their running game was almost non existent. They let Rico carry the ball I think like 20 times to Zeke's like 5 or 6, and then they actually were a little more effective on the ground last week. They're still gonna struggle to run the ball. We have a very good run defense, they don't have a very good rushing offense. You know, how well is Dak going to perform if he has to throw 40, 50 times in this game, and he's under non stop pressure? The difference between this week and, you know, the last game we had against the Seahawks is that Brian Branch is going to be back. So, I think that that's going to make all the difference in the world to have Branch, you know, if we're especially lining him up close to the box, and blitzing him sometimes, and dropping him sometimes, If we're able to press closer on the corners and make them, you know, like you said, Dag was throwing the ball. I think he's at 16 out of 19 on those quick throws. They're gonna have to do that because the pressure's gonna be too much. So if we're pressing up more, it's gonna be very hard for them to get really anything going. And, I think Branch is gonna have a huge game too. Obviously, Hutchison, we expect him to have a huge game as he always does. You know, even if they're getting the ball quick, he's gonna be in Dak's face for sure, but I think Branch is gonna be an impact player again.

Jason Harwood: 1:07:34

Yeah, I, I agree. That's a huge point because we really miss branch in that last game. I think it's a totally different game. You're talking about, you know, a young offensive line. we pull Brian branch up and then they got to make calls. And they don't know if he's rushing or if he's backing up or for sending branch and pulling one of our edge guys off to, you know, cover a zone, you know, just doing anything to confuse it, confuse that offensive line. Maybe we get the jump false start cause they're, they're, you know, we're, we're showing

Jacob: 1:08:05

Right.

Jason Harwood: 1:08:06

up. We're going to give them, you know, third and long and just keep doing that. You know, someone's going to make a mistake or we get there. You know, punt and we get the ball back and then we punish them with our running game. So I think that's going to be huge. I think, you know, controlling CD lamb, I don't think he could stop him. He's just, he's just too good. Just not letting him get over the top. You know, we need Kirby to,

Jacob: 1:08:30

Right.

Jason Harwood: 1:08:30

know, shading on that side playing, you know, hopefully he can get, get another pick. That'd be awesome. I'm interested to see after the

Jacob: 1:08:38

Okay.

Jason Harwood: 1:08:58

than CD Lam. CD Lam is, you know, he's speedy. He can make people miss. So it's a, it's a different wide receiver, but I'm, I'm really looking forward to that matchup in the secondary. so we'll, we'll see, I just, the key

Jacob: 1:09:11

Right.

Jason Harwood: 1:09:34

red zone, mostly because they're rushing yards. They can't rush down there. And when you can't rush down there, then that makes it just all the more difficult because there's a tight space. There's not as much open windows for secondary. So I think. If we, you know, even if we let them down there, we're going to come out and we need to win the red zone. I'll just finish my thought here and I'll let, I'll let you speak. Jacob Cowboys are, you know, you already mentioned it. Their rating, their, their 46 percent convert TD conversion rate, which is 22nd in the NFL. The lions are 16th, but honestly, one of that is just one game. Cause we were one out of seven in Tampa Bay. We've been performing every other game and the difference between. That Tampa Bay game and the other games is like, which one of these is not like the other, we jerk off pass for 55 times. And we decided not to rush in that game, which killed us in the red zone. I don't think that, you know, especially if we talked about how poor the Cowboys rush defenses, I don't expect that to happen this game. It shouldn't happen this game. We should, you know, that line, especially with, basically backups all up and down that line for them. And we have our starting offensive line in there. It looks like, you know, Frank's going to be back. So I am expecting us to dominate there. We're going to have to win the red zone. I know that's every week, but I think that we can do that because Dallas is so poor. So if we even let Dallas go down there, we keep making them do field goals and we're scoring touchdowns, then that's a, that's a huge way you can win that game.

Jacob: 1:10:59

Absolutely kind of speaks on what mine is to not specifically the red zone, but a lot of the same points here. So you know, the Cowboys defense already said they're kind of in the middle of the pack statistically. They have a top 10 pass defense bottom 10 run defense or almost top 10 pass defense, but the run defense is bottom 10. We just need to keep doing what we do. We need to play Detroit lions football. We've got to make them challenge them to stop the run, allow that to soften them up and then make some impact passing plays exactly what we did to the Seahawks. We just keep running the ball repetitively. You know, obviously Jared golf was perfect in that last game. You know, that was because the offensive game plan was almost perfect. I mean, we ran the ball effectively. Ben Johnson, you know, really good play calls. We took, you know, exactly what the Seahawks were giving us. I think maybe this game, we try a few more deep balls than we did against the Seahawks, just because I think that's going to be open up a lot more. And like you said, they're going to be without DeMarcus Lawrence, probably going to be without Micah Parsons. Their pass rush is really, you know, going to be drastically affected by that. And if Jared Goff has time for the play to develop in the pocket, he's going to do some damage, especially if they're already worried about the run and we catch them sleeping. You know, maybe Jamo with another big touchdown or something like that. I know they really want to smoke the Cowboys because of what happened last year. Right. We all know that that's fresh on everybody's mind. We really want to take it to them. We don't want it to be a two point, a one point game. We want to beat them double digits. We really want to take it to them. And. I mean, I just, I feel like on offense, we have to do what we do and just be dominant.

Jason Harwood: 1:12:44

Yeah, I agree. We just be careful with the ball. You don't want to give them any extra chances. And like I said, we convert in the red zone and the, and they don't. So I think, you know, I'm happy with, with that game plan. Yeah. I agree. does not get a lot of pressure and they've allowed a lot of time to throw. I think they're like in, you know, they've allowed like in the, they're in the top 10 of, you know, time allowing the quarterback time to throw that just allows those crossers over the middle to hit. And that's either that's Jamal Amin Ra or Laporta. If we can decide to get him into the game plan a little bit more. Or Brock Wright. I mean, he's been sneaking out and doing some damage in

Jacob: 1:13:22

right.

Jason Harwood: 1:13:23

I think it's going to be important to get, you know, to third and short and that, you know, you can use your play action pass and the whole, you know, the whole play is open at that point. So I think that'll be important. I think the Lions are, you know, like you said, I don't think this is a two point game on paper. You know, lines are favored by three in Dallas. I think that's a pretty good line just because, you know, you're the away team, but I, I look for the lines to dominate this game.

Jacob: 1:13:51

We should. I mean, if we're firing on all cylinders, especially coming off a bye week, Lions have had a, you know, the last games have been really close, er, the Cowboys have had the last couple games really close, the Lions are coming off the bye week, we had an extra week to prepare. On paper, it looks like something that should be a win for us.

Jason Harwood: 1:14:10

You know,

Jacob: 1:14:10

We know how that changes.

Jason Harwood: 1:14:12

yeah, Dan Campbell said in his other press conference, you know, he's talking about, was it nice to see the offense? Finally, really just get, you know, clicking. And he said, you know, we want to get better every week. So we're looking at like, that is the floor for next week, like the Seattle game. And if Seattle game is the floor and your offense watch out, because that was I mean, it was an awesome game plan, you know, golf played out of his mind and, you know, Ben Johnson's pulling tricks out, like the Philly special. And, you know, it's it's you know, it's, it's just one of those things. That's pretty awesome. My question is, are we going to see a lateral in this game? We've seen, you know, Lions had one, you know, two weeks ago. And then last week we saw Seattle did the lateral against us to get a first down. Wondering if that's going to become more of a common thing until someone makes a mistake and it gets fumbled or something like that, then, then it might slow down.

Jacob: 1:15:07

Maybe we do a fake, a fake shake and bake. Run that same play and fake it to gibbs and just let Amun Ra keep running. Or, you know, maybe we do a, a flea flicker or something.

Jason Harwood: 1:15:16

All right, let's move on here. Let's talk let's get on our grip picks. All right, first, let's review week four, Thursday Night Football was Cowboys at Giants. I said the Giants, Jacob said the Cowboys, Jacob's right we both said the Ravens in the Sunday Night Matchup, Bills at Ravens, and then we both said the Titans in the Titans at Dolphins, so Jacob, you one

Jacob: 1:15:44

said the dolphins.

Jason Harwood: 1:15:46

oh, you said the Dolphins on that?

Jacob: 1:15:47

I did say the dolphins, yeah. I, I switched it so you could see, but

Jason Harwood: 1:15:52

thanks for being honest. And

Jacob: 1:15:54

Right, right, I

Jason Harwood: 1:15:55

that, what's that bring our totals to then, Jacob?

Jacob: 1:15:57

So, right now as it stands, overall I'm 9 and 4 and you are 8

Jason Harwood: 1:16:03

You got me by

Jacob: 1:16:03

The only difference is that you just you cannot pick the Falcons to lose because you don't want to be wrong about that, so.

Jason Harwood: 1:16:09

that's right. I know it was close. It went down to the last possession. I'll, I'll

Jacob: 1:16:12

Right?

Jason Harwood: 1:16:13

I'll stand on that mountain. So let's get into who we're going to pick this week. Thursday night football, 49ers at Seahawks. Who you got in this one, Jacob?

Jacob: 1:16:22

So the 49ers are 3. 5 point favorites at the Seahawks. This one is interesting because both of these teams have double digit players on the injury report. I think the Seahawks had like, er, the 49ers had 10 or 11, the Seahawks had like 16 players on this injury report. So it's gonna be interesting to see who even plays this game. The Seahawks are still beat up from playing us, you know, they just lost the Giants. They're at home. You'd think they're going to give it everything that they have, but I still think the 49ers are going to win a really close game. The 49ers are 2 3 right now. You know, they lost the Rams. That would be a huge loss for them if they lose the Seahawks. You know, obviously the injuries are Making this a toss up, but I'm picking the 49ers.

Jason Harwood: 1:17:09

I'm gonna go with the Seahawks in this one. This is their bounce back game after getting right from the lot, you know, Lions loss, you know, everyone loses after they played Lions. So I think I think Seahawks got this one. I'll go first on the Sunday night football matchup. It's pretty good. Bangles at Giants, not looking forward to this one. Usually Sunday night

Jacob: 1:17:29

No.

Jason Harwood: 1:17:29

good matchup. I'm you know, I'll still watch it because I love football, but not really look forward to this one. I'm going to go with the Giants in this one. What do you got?

Jacob: 1:17:41

Yeah, so Bengals are 3. 5 point favorites at the Giants. The Bengals are 1 and 4 right now. They've been very unimpressive. You know, they still have the talent in everything. They just, for whatever reason, are not putting it together. They're supposed to be a playoff contender, so they, they need to win. They've got to fix whatever issue they have right now. You know, obviously the Giants pulled off a crazy, you know, good win against the Seahawks last week. We'll I'm still gonna pick the the Bengals to beat the Giants at home here.

Jason Harwood: 1:18:13

Yeah,

Jacob: 1:18:14

They're gonna come into New York and upset them.

Jason Harwood: 1:18:16

I, I I had trouble picking that game. All right.

Jacob: 1:18:20

Yeah, I mean, that could go either way. And really, like, if the Bengals drop another one and go to one and five, I, do you start talking about making changes with the head coach or what, you know? It just doesn't make sense for them to have the players that they have and for it not to be working out. Something's gotta change.

Jason Harwood: 1:18:37

Yeah, well, I

Jacob: 1:18:38

That'll lead us into this next one, though.

Jason Harwood: 1:18:40

well, I mean, just to touch on it really you know, they, the Bengals aren't playing like a team, you got T Higgins more worried about other things, you know, T. Jamar Chase worried about other things, contract and stuff like that. And I just, when you have those distractions, it just doesn't work well. Those are going to ultimately fall on the head coach, but sometimes you got, it's hard to, appease all those players, especially, you know, Devo wide receivers.

Jacob: 1:19:08

Right?

Jason Harwood: 1:19:09

about another drama filled situation. We got bills at the jets. know, Robert Sala was fired this week. Aaron Rodgers. You know, resents any thought that he had anything to do with it. Okay.

Jacob: 1:19:22

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Jason Harwood: 1:19:25

whatever, but it's kind of interesting, you know, just the whole angle of the lines, you know, that was in the hiring cycle of Dan Campbell. A lot of us wanted Robert Sala at the time. I would have been happy with him at the time. Obviously I'm happy with Dan. Dan Campbell super happy with them. Wouldn't want it any other way, but almost everybody in that hiring cycle has been, you know, fired or let go, or is on a hot seat. Nick Sirianni is the only one that's left with Dan Campbell. So you know, with all that said. A lot of times when there's a coaching change, there's some sort of, you know, refocus. I'm going to go with the Jets on this one. I, you know, I think Aaron Rodgers is going to have, you know, one of those, I told you so moments where he'll just play out of his mind. So I'm going to, I'm going to go with the Jets.

Jacob: 1:20:12

All right, I have a little bit of a rant here about this, but you know, it speaks on the same thing that you just said. How badly does Aaron Rodgers need to win this game? Where he's at with his ego and everything going on, the coach has gone. You are out of excuses. You know, he had that quote, you know, about holding people accountable or whatever. I mean, obviously there's a long list of quotes about Aaron Rodgers that makes us hate him even more, but. Like you said, a lot of times when teams get an interim coach, it's like a breath of fresh air. You know, a lot of teams play with more aggression, it lights a fire underneath them, or you know, they're like, finally, you know, that guy's gone, we can kind of play a little bit looser. I don't think that's the case this time. I don't think that Salah, I don't think he lost the team. I think he still had the support, I think it probably caught a lot of them off guard. They had the team, they had everything going on, they just weren't getting it done. I, so I'm picking the Bills, the Bills are trying to have point favorites, I'm picking the Bills to win this game, and I really think that the Jets are just going to have to clean house, I mean, I know you said it earlier,

Jason Harwood: 1:21:20

again, huh?

Jacob: 1:21:22

yeah, right, I know you said it earlier, but I like, you know, if the Jets do lose this game, Devonta Adams is going to be in New York by like Wednesday or Thursday. Because the GM for the Jets, Joe Douglas, is already on very thin ice. He's been on thin ice. He's been there longer than the coach was. And I can't believe they didn't let him go, too. I mean He blew it with Zach Wilson. They blew it with the offensive line. You know, they tried to revamp the offensive line this year, but Aaron Rodgers is just not, he's not who they thought he was. He's just not been effective. You know, he's also got his whole problem. He, obviously we can go on and on about Aaron Rodgers, not admitting when he's wrong or makes mistakes or trying to fix the issue, but I think that's the problem is the Jets owner thinks that he has MVP level Aaron Rodgers, and he doesn't. And you're right, he probably, Aaron Rodgers needs to have one of those games where he comes out and throws for 300 yards and four touchdowns and I don't know if you watch that game against the Vikings, obviously the Vikings have a really good defense, but Aaron Rodgers was, Aaron Rodgers was bad. He was not good. He wasn't at all. You know,

Jason Harwood: 1:22:32

Yeah,

Jacob: 1:22:32

I just think that this should be, yeah, sorry.

Jason Harwood: 1:22:34

I was gonna say he just can't move as well as he used to and just create stuff. And he doesn't, it's obviously he doesn't put in the time with his receivers to create that rapport anymore, which that when, when he was right in Green Bay. I mean, they were, he was one, you know, one with his receivers. He, a lot of back shoulder throws. They just knew the timing since he's, you know, the missing training camp and doing all his other, you know, garbage stuff that, you know, he thinks he could just miss a team you're,

Jacob: 1:23:05

Yeah,

Jason Harwood: 1:23:05

you're not getting that place. That's, you know, a difference between a 40 year old Tom Brady and a 40 year old Aaron Rogers is that Tom Brady still had that work ethic and still excellence from his teammates. Aaron Rogers does that. But then still doesn't show up for training camp part of the time and you can't demand excellence from your teammates when you don't show up all the time, in my

Jacob: 1:23:28

right. No, that's a, that's a great point.

Jason Harwood: 1:23:32

Yeah. So, I mean, that's, that's what I just see with Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers. Still has the ability to come in. And like you said, have a great game, especially when he wants to prove people wrong. You know, Aaron Rogers is full of ego and that's just, you know, we'll fuel his fire. Who knows, you know, it, what I want to see it crash and burn. Yeah. After they lost to the Vikings and I really wanted them to win last week just to get Vikings lost. But since that happens now, I can fully hate Aaron Rogers, but I still think that he's going to have one of those games. Jet's defense is still solid. You know, it's, it's still a solid defense. We'll, you know, we'll, we'll see if the offense could muster any points. You know, Zach Wilson's not looking as bad now, is he?

Jacob: 1:24:16

Yeah, right, right. I just, yeah, I, that was a really good point that you made about Tom Brady. Like you know, it makes me think of Peyton Manning also because Peyton Manning came back, Peyton Manning played when he was older and that was a huge storyline at the beginning of the year. The fact that he wasn't showing up to the mandatory stuff and then the head coach, you know. Solid had to be like, Oh, we talked about it before and it's excused and whatever. Like what a bad look that is. And it's an even worse look now.

Jason Harwood: 1:24:44

hmm.

Jacob: 1:24:45

And you know, he probably looks great in training camp when he knows that the pressure can't hit him and he has time to, you know, throw to, you know, whoever, but you're right about that too. Like he doesn't have Devante Adams, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson. He doesn't have this same group of receivers that he knows and trusts and are helping him out. He's got to get on with these new guys and he's not doing it. And he's also making it the new guy's fault. I mean, you know, that's just what he does.

Jason Harwood: 1:25:11

Yep. Yep. He, he has his way. So, I mean, I'm not in the room with him. I, I've never, you know, obviously been a teammate with him. Maybe he has a different rapport, but just from the outside looking in, he doesn't seem like he takes personal responsibility for his actions and at this point in his career which is a shame. All right. Enough Aaron Rodgers talk. Great guarantee time.

Jacob: 1:25:36

So my great guarantee this week, I am putting out here that we are going to hold the Cowboys to less than 300 yards of total offense.

Jason Harwood: 1:25:44

Whoa. a defensive shut down. All right. I'd love to see that. Mine on the other hand, it goes over the offense. I'm saying Demo gets two touchdowns in this game. He's. Keep it paced with Jamal right now. So if he stays healthy, he might touch that record that Jamal said, you know, just a couple, you know, two seasons ago. So I, that would be awesome. But I, I think DMO is going to get two touchdowns. We're going to show some red zone. Oh, I think they would stop that from that as if it's Gibbs turn and they're in the red zone and he gets them. But I think I'm going to give DMO two touchdowns. All

Jacob: 1:26:20

last week. Right. Just happened to be Gibbs turn on the drive when he was the one to pound the ball in. But you're right. I mean, that could easily happen for sure.

Jason Harwood: 1:26:29

right, great episode, Jacob. Thanks for you know, getting on here and yeah, it was fun talking to him. We got, we got some really good conversations, got to bash Aaron Rogers, which is always fun.

Jacob: 1:26:40

Right.

Jason Harwood: 1:26:40

yeah, so I do want to mention that we uploaded a YouTube video. I'll break down a couple of Jameer Gibbs plays. If you want to check that out on our YouTube channel Talking Grit podcast, our podcast is on there too. Just an audio format, but we uploaded, you know, new video. There's I think there's one from Jacob on there. Jacob's working on something else. So we're hoping to add a few more videos here and there just to add some more content for you guys.

Jacob: 1:27:06

So feel free to comment. You know, comment, let us know what you want to see. If you like it, if you're not feeling it, we always like to hear from other people.

Jason Harwood: 1:27:13

Right. Yeah. And if there's a certain play or something that you want me to break down, I'd be glad to do that. It's always fun, especially if I have some direction on what people want to see. So I certainly don't mind doing that. I tried the plays that I, the play that I, the two plays that I picked were not like the plays that you're gonna see everywhere. It was kind of some plays that I felt were very important for the game. so just, you know, just check it out. Let me know what you think. All right, Jacob, anything else before we take off here?

Jacob: 1:27:42

No.

Jason Harwood: 1:27:43

All right. For Jacob, I am Jason and let's go lions and tigers.