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  1. 5h ago

    The Cowboys Just Proved They're MUCH Better Than We Thought...

    The Dallas Cowboys are 2-2 after beating the Houston Texans 37-30, and Mauricio Rodriguez believes this win was much more important than the final score might suggest. Yes, there are still plenty of problems. The Cowboys gave up 30 points. Nico Collins made too many explosive plays. Houston's offense found ways to move the football, and Dallas' pass rush continues to be a major concern. But there were also several developments that should make Cowboys fans significantly more optimistic about the rest of the season. The biggest one? Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb may be developing into one of the best quarterback-wide receiver combinations in the NFL. Lamb exploded for 17 catches, and Mauricio believes he is currently playing the best football of any wide receiver in the league. Houston's defense was clearly focused on George Pickens, and that opened opportunities for CeeDee to dominate. Dak Prescott took advantage. On the Cowboys' final drive, Prescott looked completely locked in and delivered another spectacular throw to CeeDee Lamb between a safety and cornerback. Mauricio believes Prescott is playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL right now. There was also a major development on the offensive line. Tyler Guyton allowed zero pressures against Houston's defensive front, including Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Mauricio believes this was an important step for Guyton, who is now in his third NFL season. Rather than viewing him as a developmental project, Mauricio believes Guyton is becoming a legitimate NFL offensive tackle. Then there was Joey Porter Jr. In his Cowboys debut, Porter was targeted zero times. That is exactly what Dallas hoped it was getting when it traded for him. Christian Parker described Porter as a "boundary eraser," and Mauricio believes his presence can have a ripple effect throughout the entire defense. If opposing quarterbacks avoid Porter, Dallas can give additional safety help elsewhere, load the box more frequently and potentially blitz more aggressively. Malik Hooker also returned and immediately made an impact with two big hits and two pass breakups. But the Cowboys still have major concerns. The secondary has another player Mauricio is increasingly worried about, and Dallas' pass rush remains a glaring weakness. Jadeveon Clowney, who previously played for Houston and was Dallas' sack leader in 2025, had a monster game against the Cowboys. Mauricio points out the irony that Dallas previously decided Clowney wasn't a scheme fit for Christian Parker's defense. Now the Cowboys need to find a way to generate pressure with four rushers. Despite those concerns, Mauricio believes Dallas is taking steps in the right direction. The Cowboys are now 2-2, and the next three games against Tampa Bay, Green Bay and Philadelphia look much more winnable than they did back in August. Is Dallas actually becoming a legitimate winning team? Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down the biggest positives, negatives and long-term takeaways from the Cowboys' 37-30 win over Houston. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Cowboys news, analysis, postgame reaction and coverage throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 The Cowboys are MUCH better than you think 0:42 Why this 37-30 win matters 1:09 Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb 1:57 Dak is playing like an elite QB 2:22 Tyler Guyton's HUGE performance 3:05 Guyton allowed zero pressures 3:28 Joey Porter Jr.'s Cowboys debut 4:16 Porter was targeted ZERO times 4:40 How Porter changes the defense 5:00 Malik Hooker returns 5:15 The Cowboys' biggest defensive concern 6:18 Jadeveon Clowney makes Dallas pay 6:50 The Cowboys need pass rush help 7:12 Is the defense actually improving? 7:31 The Cowboys' next three games #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #DakPrescott #CeeDeeLamb #JoeyPorterJr #NFL Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

  2. 2d ago

    The Cowboys Just Got A HUGE Advantage Against Houston...

    Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. The Dallas Cowboys are underdogs against the Houston Texans, but Mauricio Rodriguez believes Dallas has multiple ways to win this game. Houston may be winless, but the Texans have one of the best defenses in the NFL — and one of the most dangerous pass rushes in football. Will Anderson Jr. has four sacks through three games and ranks near the top of the NFL in pressures and tackles for loss. That creates a major challenge for the Cowboys' offensive line, especially with Terrence Steele facing a difficult matchup and Daniel Hunter also capable of creating problems. So how can Dallas protect Dak Prescott? Mauricio believes the answer is max protection. Dallas needs to keep its tight ends involved in pass protection, use multiple-tight-end formations and give Dak enough time to take advantage of a Texans secondary that has allowed more deep passes than any team in the NFL this season. The Cowboys have the receivers to attack Houston vertically. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens give Dak Prescott a dangerous combination on the outside, but Dallas has to give its quarterback time to find them. Houston also has a significant weakness at linebacker. The Texans are dealing with injuries at the position, which could create opportunities for Dallas to attack with the running game and use its receivers against backup linebackers. Mauricio specifically points to the Ravens' success against Dallas as a potential blueprint. Baltimore repeatedly created favorable matchups for Zay Flowers against Dallas linebackers. The Cowboys could try to return the favor. Getting CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens matched up against Houston linebackers could create some of the biggest explosive-play opportunities of the afternoon. Then there's the biggest question on defense: Will Joey Porter Jr. make his Cowboys debut? Dallas has not confirmed whether Porter will play, but the team has expressed hope that he will. If he does, Mauricio believes his impact could be felt immediately. Christian Parker has described Porter as an "eraser" — a cornerback capable of handling an isolated receiver largely on his own. That could give Dallas more freedom to help other cornerbacks with safeties, bring an extra defender into the box and potentially blitz more aggressively. In other words, Joey Porter Jr. could change more than just the cornerback position. He could change the way the Cowboys play defense. Dallas desperately needs a win, but Houston is also searching for its first victory. Mauricio believes the difference could be Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens — especially if Dallas can protect its quarterback and exploit Houston's depleted linebacker group. Can the Cowboys beat the Texans? Mauricio explains the biggest keys to the matchup and makes his final prediction. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, previews, breaking news and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Why the Texans aren't an easy opponent 0:48 Will Anderson Jr. is a massive problem 1:30 Terrence Steele has to hold up 2:18 The Cowboys need max protection 3:03 How Dallas can attack Houston deep 4:20 The Texans' biggest weakness 4:50 Attack the depleted linebackers 5:32 Joey Porter Jr. could debut 6:20 How Porter changes the defense 7:08 More blitzing could be possible 7:35 Mauricio's Cowboys-Texans prediction 8:08 Why Dallas can win #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #Texans #NFL #JoeyPorterJr #DakPrescott Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

  3. 3d ago

    The Cowboys Just Made A BRILLIANT Trade For Joey Porter Jr...

    Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. The Dallas Cowboys just made a massive move for Joey Porter Jr., and Mauricio Rodriguez completely changed his opinion of the trade after learning the details. At first, Mauricio was prepared to call the move irresponsible. Now? He believes it could be one of the best moves the Cowboys have made in years. The biggest reason isn't simply Joey Porter Jr. himself. It's the structure of the deal. Dallas is reportedly giving up a 2028 second-round pick and a sixth-round pick, rather than sacrificing a premium 2027 draft asset. Mauricio believes that difference matters because the Cowboys have time to replenish the 2028 pick through free agency, future trades and other roster moves. The other major detail is the contract situation. According to the reports discussed in the video, Joey Porter Jr. is not asking the Cowboys for an immediate contract extension. That was one of the biggest concerns surrounding a potential trade for Porter because of his contract situation in Pittsburgh. Instead, Dallas can acquire Porter, see how he fits and avoid immediately making a massive financial commitment. Mauricio compares the situation to the way the Cowboys handled George Pickens after acquiring him, although the circumstances are different. But there's another reason Mauricio likes this move. The Cowboys are running out of time. Dallas has talked all season about needing help at linebacker and edge rusher, but NFL teams aren't necessarily selling the players who would actually move the needle. With injuries piling up at cornerback and throughout the defense, Dallas needed to make a move. Joey Porter Jr. gives them an opportunity to acquire a legitimate talent at a position that has become a major need. Mauricio believes the Cowboys have also recognized something important: They may have been too optimistic about this defense. The offense is playing some of the best football Dallas has had in years, with Dak Prescott playing at a high level and George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb giving the Cowboys an extremely dangerous receiving combination. If Dallas believes this offense can compete right now, the team has a reason to be aggressive and try to fix the defense immediately. Mauricio also pushes back against the idea that Joey Porter Jr. doesn't fit Christian Parker's defensive scheme. Porter has experience playing in a man-coverage-heavy system, and Mauricio believes his addition could actually encourage Dallas to play more man coverage. That could have significant ripple effects throughout the defense. If Dallas plays more man coverage, the Cowboys could potentially load the box more often, give Caleb Downs additional freedom near the line of scrimmage and allow Quinnen Williams to play more aggressively as a one-gap defender. The bigger question may be whether Christian Parker adapts the scheme to the players he has. Mauricio believes that's exactly what the Cowboys defense needs. Dallas didn't make a perfect move. But Mauricio believes the combination of the draft compensation, the contract situation, the urgency surrounding the defense and Joey Porter Jr.'s potential fit makes this a move worth celebrating. Watch Mauricio Rodriguez break down the Joey Porter Jr. trade and explain why the details completely changed his opinion of the Cowboys' biggest move of the season. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, breaking news and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Why Mauricio changed his mind 0:40 The Joey Porter Jr. trade 1:05 Why the initial reaction was negative 2:33 The draft compensation 3:27 The contract situation 4:48 Why the Cowboys had to make a move 5:34 Dallas finally gets aggressive 6:22 Why Porter can fit Christian Parker 7:06 Could Dallas play more man coverage? 7:55 How Porter could change the defense 8:14 Final trade grade #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #JoeyPorterJr #NFL #CowboysNation Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

  4. 6d ago

    Why Brian Schottenheimer Failed The Cowboys In Rio (And How)

    The Dallas Cowboys lost to the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 in Brazil, and Mauricio Rodriguez believes there is one person who deserves the most criticism for the loss: head coach Brian Schottenheimer. This isn't about blaming Brian Schottenheimer for every mistake Dallas made. Dak Prescott could have made a better throw on third-and-goal. Brandon Aubrey had struggled with kickoffs. The Cowboys were dealing with major injuries throughout the defense. But Mauricio identifies four separate decisions Schottenheimer made during the final stretch of the game that he believes ultimately cost Dallas the win. The first came on first-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Dallas had one timeout remaining and chose not to run the football. Mauricio is willing to give Schottenheimer some leeway because of the potential clock-management consequences if a run failed. The second decision is where Mauricio becomes much more critical. After Dak Prescott scrambled for two yards on second-and-goal, Schottenheimer immediately called timeout with 14 seconds remaining. Mauricio believes Dallas should have allowed the clock to run down several more seconds before calling timeout. His reasoning is simple: if an NFL play takes roughly six seconds, Dallas could have gotten another opportunity into the end zone while still leaving enough time for Brandon Aubrey to kick a game-tying field goal. Instead, the Cowboys called timeout immediately. That decision ultimately gave Baltimore seven seconds to work with after Dallas failed to score. The Ravens then gained 27 yards and kicked the game-winning field goal. Mauricio's third criticism is the controversial third-and-goal play. Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged after the game that he had "over coached" Dak Prescott and had instructed him to throw the football away if the defense didn't give him the desired look. Mauricio believes that was the wrong way to use Prescott. Instead of allowing Dak to read the entire defense and make the best decision available, the Cowboys effectively gave their quarterback one primary read: George Pickens. Mauricio believes Ryan Flournoy was potentially available over the middle as well, meaning a full progression could have created another opportunity for a touchdown. Then came another questionable decision after the Ravens got the ball back. Dallas elected to kick a touchback, giving Baltimore possession at the 35-yard line. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter later said that seven seconds was essentially the minimum amount of time Baltimore needed to attempt the play that ultimately set up the winning field goal. Mauricio believes Dallas could have attempted an inbounds kickoff instead, forcing Baltimore to return the ball and potentially starting the Ravens much deeper in their own territory. Finally, Mauricio turns his attention to Christian Parker's defensive call. With only seven seconds remaining, Dallas played man coverage and left practice-squad cornerback Reddy Stewart matched up against Zay Flowers. The Cowboys also ran a double stunt up front, but the rush generated almost nothing. Lamar Jackson had plenty of time to throw, and Baltimore hit the 27-yard completion that put them into position for the winning field goal. Instead, questionable decisions on offense, special teams and defense helped turn a potential victory into a 34-31 loss. Dallas is now 1-2, with the Houston Texans coming to town next. Was this simply a heartbreaking loss? Or was this a game the Cowboys' coaching staff gave away? Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down every major decision from the final stretch of Cowboys-Ravens and explains why he believes this was a coaching loss. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, postgame reaction and coverage throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Brian Schottenheimer cost the Cowboys? 0:28 The Cowboys had multiple people to blame 1:29 Mistake No. 1: Not running on first-and-goal 2:36 Mistake No. 2: Calling timeout too early 3:27 Dallas should have waited 4:08 The Terrence Steele injury explanation 4:53 Mistake No. 3: The third-down play 5:26 Why Dak was over-coached 6:19 Ryan Flournoy was potentially open 6:41 Dak was given one read 7:23 Mistake No. 4: The kickoff 7:38 What Jesse Minter said 8:38 Brandon Aubrey's role 10:21 The final defensive call 11:32 Dallas' defensive line stunts failed 12:15 This was a coaching loss #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #BrianSchottenheimer #DakPrescott #NFL #CowboysNation Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

  5. Sep 28

    The Cowboys Just BLEW The Ravens Game... And Here's Why

    The Dallas Cowboys just suffered one of the most frustrating losses of their 2026 season, falling to the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 in Brazil. And according to Mauricio Rodriguez, the Cowboys didn't simply lose because Lamar Jackson made a great play. Dallas made critical mistakes on both sides of the football in the biggest moments of the game. The first came on offense. With the Cowboys driving for a potential game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter, Dallas reached first-and-goal from the 2-yard line. A false start pushed the Cowboys back, Dak Prescott scrambled for two yards and Dallas eventually faced third-and-goal from the 5. That's when Prescott threw the football away. George Pickens appeared to have an opportunity near the pylon, but Dak did not give himself enough time to see the play develop. Brian Schottenheimer said after the game that he had "over coached" Dak in that situation and that Prescott had been taught to throw the ball away on third-and-goal. Mauricio strongly disagrees with that approach. With Dak Prescott at quarterback and weapons like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens available, Mauricio believes Dallas should trust its quarterback to make a play rather than coaching him into taking the safe option in a game-defining moment. But Mauricio also believes the play calling deserves criticism. The Cowboys had three opportunities inside the 5-yard line and did not have a better-designed concept ready for the most important down of the game. The second major issue came on defense. With only seven seconds remaining and Baltimore needing a huge play to set up a potential game-winning field goal, Dallas played an aggressive man-coverage look. The Ravens completed a 27-yard pass, setting up the winning kick. Mauricio questions why Dallas chose to play such an aggressive coverage structure in that situation instead of forcing Baltimore to spend more time moving the football downfield. The problems go beyond those two plays. Dallas is dealing with significant roster issues, including problems at right tackle, linebacker and throughout the secondary. Injuries have made those weaknesses even more difficult to overcome. Ryan Flournoy also received eight targets and finished with two catches, highlighting another area where Dallas' depth was tested. The Cowboys are now 1-2 and head into a difficult matchup with the Houston Texans. The record alone shouldn't determine whether Cowboys fans panic. Mauricio explains why the loss to Baltimore exposed both coaching and personnel problems that Dallas needs to address quickly. Was this simply a heartbreaking loss? Or did the Cowboys reveal deeper problems that could follow them throughout the season? Watch Mauricio Rodriguez's full breakdown of the Cowboys' 34-31 loss to the Ravens. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, postgame reaction and coverage throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 The Cowboys BLEW the Ravens game 0:32 The third-and-goal decision 1:10 Was George Pickens open? 1:33 Schottenheimer admits he over-coached Dak 2:08 Dak needed to make the throw 2:29 Cowboys need better play calling 3:17 The third-down problem 4:27 Who is responsible? 5:06 The defensive call with 7 seconds left 6:08 Why the coverage was a problem 6:28 The Cowboys' bigger roster problems 6:52 Ryan Flournoy's eight targets 7:17 Coaching cost Dallas 7:38 Should Cowboys fans panic? #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #Ravens #NFL #DakPrescott #CowboysNation Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

  6. Sep 25

    The Cowboys Found The PERFECT Plan To Beat Lamar Jackson...

    Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. The Dallas Cowboys have a difficult challenge ahead of them in Week 3. They have to find a way to slow down Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and one of the NFL's most explosive rushing attacks. But Mauricio Rodriguez believes the Cowboys can take a page out of the New Orleans Saints' playbook. When New Orleans upset Baltimore in Week 2, the Ravens still moved the football effectively. In fact, Mauricio points out that Baltimore had a 62% success rate in that game, showing that the Saints did not completely shut down the Ravens offense. But New Orleans made key plays in high-leverage moments. The biggest thing that stood out? Aggressive linebacker blitzes. Instead of sitting back and allowing Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry to build momentum, the Saints attacked downhill. Their linebackers consistently got into the backfield, disrupted running lanes and forced Baltimore's offense to hesitate. Mauricio believes the Cowboys should consider doing something similar. Dallas may not have the defensive line talent to consistently create knockback at the line of scrimmage against Derrick Henry. Because of that, the Cowboys may need to be more aggressive with their linebackers. Jaishawn Barham could be a major piece of that plan. After his improved performance against Washington, Mauricio believes Barham should be allowed to attack downhill more often. Dee Winters could also have opportunities as a blitzer. The goal would be simple: Make Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry hesitate. Do not allow Baltimore's run game to get into rhythm. Force the Ravens to beat you through the air. Mauricio also believes the Cowboys could adjust their defensive personnel based on Baltimore's injuries. If Zay Flowers misses the game, Dallas may have more freedom to load the box and use Caleb Downs closer to the line of scrimmage. The Ravens have relied heavily on two-tight-end and three-tight-end sets, which could allow Dallas to play a more aggressive style without being exposed as much outside. The Cowboys also need to trust their offense. Mauricio believes Dallas' best path to victory may still come from Dak Prescott and the passing game. With Tyler Smith missing, Dallas likely cannot rely on dominating with the running game. Instead, the Cowboys may need another aggressive passing approach similar to their Week 2 win over Washington. Dak Prescott throwing for 275-plus yards could be a major factor if Baltimore's offense continues to score. The Cowboys do not have an easy matchup in Brazil. But Mauricio believes Dallas has a chance if they change their defensive approach, attack the Ravens' run game and let Dak Prescott carry the offense. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, previews and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 The Cowboys' plan to beat Lamar Jackson 0:34 Why Baltimore is such a difficult matchup 1:10 What the Saints did against the Ravens 1:59 Lamar Jackson vs. the blitz 2:32 The Cowboys need to blitz differently 3:00 Jaishawn Barham's role 3:51 Why linebacker blitzes matter 4:28 Loading the box against Baltimore 5:11 The Cowboys must change their identity 5:49 Why this isn't about doubting Lamar 6:33 The offense must carry Dallas 6:52 Dak Prescott's matchup 7:31 Why Dak needs 275+ yards 8:20 Final thoughts #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #Ravens #LamarJackson #NFL Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

  7. Sep 23

    What Nobody Wants To Say About The Cowboys Defense

    Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. The Dallas Cowboys defense is currently ranked 30th in EPA per play. So why is Mauricio Rodriguez still optimistic about where this unit is headed? Because there are three specific reasons to believe the Cowboys defense can improve significantly throughout the 2026 season. The goal isn't suddenly to turn Dallas into the Legion of Boom or the Doomsday Defense. The offseason goal was much more realistic: build a defense that is good enough to complement the Cowboys' offense, win enough games and help Dallas reach the playoffs. After two weeks, Mauricio believes the Cowboys can still reach that goal. The first reason is the biggest one: coverage. The Cowboys' coverage was dramatically better against Washington than it was against the New York Giants in Week 1. Dallas gave up far fewer obvious communication errors, and there were multiple plays where Jayden Daniels was forced to scramble because his receivers were covered. That is a major development for a defense that looked completely out of sync in the season opener. There was still a big play allowed when Coby Durant was beaten deep, but Mauricio believes that was a physical mistake rather than a blown assignment. The distinction matters because Dallas' biggest Week 1 problem was communication. The second reason for optimism is rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham. Barham was thrown into the Mike linebacker role after DeMarvion Overshown's injury, and he looked much more comfortable against Washington. He played downhill, took on blocks, worked through traffic and made plays in coverage. Barham finished with four stops and forced a fumble. Mauricio believes Barham's emergence could also allow the Cowboys to use Overshown more effectively when he returns, potentially giving Dallas a more physical linebacker combination. There is still one concern: Barham's conditioning. But Mauricio believes the overall trajectory is encouraging. The third reason is Caleb Downs. The first-round rookie is already showing the versatility Dallas expected when it drafted him. Downs has been used from depth, near the line of scrimmage, as a blitzer and in coverage. He has also shown excellent tackling ability and instincts. Mauricio believes Downs can become the chess piece the Cowboys need on defense. And there may be an immediate schematic fix coming as well. Dallas has repeatedly struggled with defensive line stunts, including during training camp and through the first two games. Mauricio believes the Cowboys can simply reduce the number of stunts they run and allow their defensive linemen to attack more directly. Against Jayden Daniels, several of those stunts created enormous running lanes when Dallas dropped down to only two or three defensive linemen. That is the type of problem that can be corrected quickly. The Cowboys defense is not fixed. But Mauricio believes the improvement from Week 1 to Week 2, Barham's development, Caleb Downs' impact and some obvious schematic adjustments give Dallas legitimate reasons to be hopeful. Can Christian Parker turn this defense into a top-20 unit? Mauricio explains why he believes it's possible. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, game previews and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Why Mauricio is hopeful about the Cowboys defense 0:35 What the offseason goal actually was 1:06 Cowboys vs. Ravens expectations 1:29 The Cowboys' chances in Brazil 2:38 Reason No. 1: Coverage is improving 3:28 Why Week 2 looked different 4:08 Coby Durant's big mistake 4:41 Why Week 1 to Week 2 matters 4:58 Reason No. 2: Jaishawn Barham 5:50 Barham's breakout performance 6:12 What happens when Overshown returns 6:37 Barham's conditioning concern 7:05 Reason No. 3: Caleb Downs 7:45 Why Downs is becoming a chess piece 8:35 More defensive fixes are coming 9:00 Cowboys need to stop running so many stunts 9:43 Why Mauricio is optimistic #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CowboysDefense #NFL #CalebDowns #JaishawnBarham Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

  8. Sep 21

    Cowboys-Ravens Brazil Drama Explained!

    The Dallas Cowboys are still expected to play the Baltimore Ravens in Brazil in Week 3, but concerns surrounding the field at Maracanã Stadium have created plenty of questions heading into Sunday's game. Mauricio Rodriguez has the latest on the field conditions in Rio de Janeiro, where heavy rainfall and recent complaints from soccer players have raised concerns about the playing surface. The story started after Brazilian soccer players publicly complained about the condition of the Maracanã field. Flamengo goalkeeper Agustín Rossi described the field as difficult to play on, while another Brazilian player said the surface has continued to get worse and made it increasingly difficult to control the ball. Those comments led to questions about whether the NFL could potentially relocate Cowboys-Ravens. There is an important distinction, however. The 2018 NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs that was scheduled for Mexico City was ultimately moved to Los Angeles because of severe field-condition concerns. That precedent understandably caused some fans to wonder whether the same thing could happen in Brazil. But the situation in Rio appears to be different. The NFL has a full week to work on the Maracanã playing surface, and the league has dealt with field-condition concerns during previous games in Brazil. An NFL field-condition director told ESPN that Rio had experienced a significant amount of rainfall over the previous six weeks, creating challenges for field management. However, the league believes the situation is manageable and said there were no plans or conversations about relocating the game. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones also said he had no concerns because the league has indicated it is moving forward with the game. So, as of now, Cowboys-Ravens is expected to take place in Rio de Janeiro. But the field isn't the only challenge Dallas is facing. The Cowboys are dealing with a growing list of defensive injuries heading into what Brian Schottenheimer is treating as a short week. DeMarvion Overshown is expected to miss the game as he continues to recover from his injury. Coby Durant and P.J. Locke are also dealing with injuries, while Malik Hooker could potentially miss multiple weeks. That makes an already unusual international trip even more difficult for Dallas. Mauricio Rodriguez explains where things currently stand with the Maracanã field, why the possibility of relocation became a talking point, what the NFL is saying and how the Cowboys' growing injury list could impact their Week 3 matchup with the Ravens. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Cowboys news, analysis, breaking updates and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Is Cowboys-Ravens being moved? 0:32 Where the field concerns came from 1:02 What Brazilian soccer players said 1:59 Why the field is in bad shape 2:19 Why relocation became a possibility 2:54 The 2018 Mexico City precedent 4:21 Why Brazil is different 5:06 What the NFL is saying 5:35 The NFL's official position 6:03 What Stephen Jones said 6:47 How the relocation story grew 7:16 Cowboys dealing with a short week 7:46 More Cowboys defensive injuries 8:12 What to expect Sunday #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #Ravens #NFL #Brazil #Maracana Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

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