The Dallas Cowboys will play at home for the first – and only – time this preseason this afternoon at 3 p.m.
They play host to the winless Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium, looking to have a winning preseason record for the first time since 2022.
That was also the last time the Cowboys played the Chargers in a preseason contest.
That game was decided by a 22-point second quarter by the Cowboys. Dallas won the game – played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles – 32-18.
A win today and the Cowboys will finish at 2-1 – the same record as they had in 2022. The team was 1-2 in the preseason last year.
The last time Dallas went unbeaten in preseason play was 2006, when they won their first three games and tied Minnesota, 10-10, in the last game.
One Last Chance
A host of players are making their last bids to make the final roster for the season-opener in Cleveland next month. Others are trying to get something on tape, hoping one of the other 31 teams will sign them after they are released. A few are trying to secure starting spots for Dallas.
Marist Liufau is trying to secure a starting role at linebacker. He’ll need to outwork DeMarvion Overshown for that job.
The Cowboys will also be looking to trim down their running back room.
Deuce Vaughn saw a lot of work last week against the Raiders. Vaughn had five carries for 34 yards – a solid 6.8 yards per carry — last week.
It might not have been enough to remain on the active roster.
But it might have secured a spot for him on the practice squad at least.
Running backs Snoop Connor and Nathaniel Peat are likely auditioning this afternoon for a job somewhere else.
Racey McMath rebounded from a poor showing two weeks ago against the Rams with three catches for 54 yards. If it isn’t enough to keep him in Dallas, it might get him a look elsewhere.
Still No Lamb On The Menu
CeeDee Lamb reportedly rejected a $33 million dollar offer from Dallas and continues his holdout.
Micah Parsons thinks Lamb will be in uniform on Sept. 8th in Cleveland.
But what if he isn’t? Who steps up as WR1?
Not to mention WR2 through however many they decide to carry.
For now, it looks like Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert are certain starters.
In addition to McMath, there are several suitors for the rest of the slots. Ryan Flournoy had a solid game last week, catching a touchdown pass.
Tyron Billy-Johnson looked solid in camp too. Jalen Brooks is probably a lock to make the team as well.
One player who took a huge backward step was Jalen Moreno-Cropper.
He was targeted once last week, didn’t make the catch, and fumbled away the ball on a punt return.
He’s going to need a huge game today to overcome that.
The Tight End Battle
It’s safe to assume that Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker are in as tight ends. But the Cowboys will carry a third player at that position into the season.
Right now, there are three players in the running for that final slot.
Second-year player John Stephens Jr. looks to be the front-runner. He had two catches for 16 yards.
Peyton Hendershot is probably just plain shot in Dallas.
That leaves undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford. He was targeted once last week, and did not record a catch.
But he has the size to be a great blocking tight end.
If Dallas truly wants to run the ball more, Spann-Ford will be a huge part of that.
It will come down to who outplays the other. Unless the Cowboys intend to carry four tight ends.
Then the question will be: What other position is short-handed because a fourth tight end is on the roster?
66, Do I Hear 67?
If the Cowboys are facing a fourth down and the ball is on the 50-yard line, no matter the score, they need to run Brandon Aubrey out for a 67 (or 68) yard field goal try.
Aubrey drilled a 66-yarder last week to tie Justin Tucker for the longest in NFL history in any game. Tucker’s was in the regular season, so its more official.
But it’s the preseason, so McCarthy needs to let Aubrey run out there and go for the record book.
