The Dallas Cowboys departed Oxnard, California after weeks of training camp, and arrived back in Texas to face the sweltering heat. They also arrived to face the Los Angeles Chargers in the final preseason game of 2024.
Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers took home a 26-19 victory in AT&T Stadium. As much as the Cowboys would like to win every game, the preseason is a time for evaluation.
The third preseason game is even more important than the first two because it is one last chance for players on the roster bubble to make their final push to show the coaches they deserve to remain on the team into the regular season.
On a roster of 90 players needing to be cut down to 53 by Tuesday afternoon, there were plenty of players that needed to showcase their talents on the field to avoid hitting the waiver wire or free agency.
These evaluations were just one of several observations made during the game that warrant discussion. Let’s take a look and see what factors from the final preseason game could affect the coaches’ decision-making for the final roster.
Sir Lance-A-Lot of Picks
If there was one thing I did not have on my bingo card for the final preseason game, it was Trey Lance throwing five interceptions to just one passing touchdown.
Much like we’ve defended Dak Prescott before, not all of those interceptions were Lance’s fault. The football is an oblong shape, and it bounces in funny ways sometimes.
Still, five interceptions are what will show on the stat sheet. It is a far cry from the game Will Grier put up last season in the preseason finale with Prescott calling the plays. This time, the first-time play caller was QB Coach Scott Tolzien.
Tolzien almost called a winner, but the turnovers were just too much to overcome. Lance did again show his rushing prowess, racking up 90 yards on 11 carries to lead the team. His 46 yard touchdown run was nice to see, but it would have been much nicer to see a productive day passing the football.
Lance was rewarded with an entire game versus backups to prove himself, and if anything, he gave Cowboys Nation more reason to doubt he can carry the load if Prescott somehow cannot. He threw for 323 yards on 49 attempts, but those interceptions loom large.
He has a roster spot because there is no way the Cowboys will just throw away the fourth round pick they gave up for him, but many will argue that his spot should go to a more deserving player.
Wood You Save a Spot For Me?
One of the roster bubble players who might have done just enough is undrafted free agent Julius Wood. It will be a numbers game at safety to determine if there is a spot for him, but don’t be surprised if he makes the final roster.
Wood has been making plays in practice and during preseason over the past couple of months, and he may be rewarded with a regular season gameday jersey.
Film will show he took a poor angle from his safety position on the Chargers’ 70 yard touchdown run on an end around, but Wood also snatched an interception from the arm of Los Angeles QB Easton Stick.
Add four tackles and one pass defended, and Wood had a solid game. Together with his previous performances, he may have secured himself a spot on the team as the fifth safety behind Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Markquese Bell, and Juanyeh Thomas.
As a matter of fact, I already rewarded him with that fifth safety spot in my final defensive roster prediction.
Electric Chargers Expose the Defense
One of the factors that Cowboys’ DC Mike Zimmer focuses on in his defensive scheme is the ability to limit big plays. Zimmer teaches his defense to keep everything in front of them and make the offense work for every yard.
Up until this point, the defense had done a good job of limiting the big plays, but they gave up two huge plays for touchdowns in this game.
The first was a 70-yard dash by WR Derius Davis on an end around where he was never touched by any Cowboys’ defender. Containment was lost by DE Viliami “Junior” Fehoko, Julius Wood took a poor angle, and speed did the rest.
Later, in a mini-comeback story, former Cowboys WR Simi Fehoko ran a GO route for 78 yards and a touchdown up the right sideline with Andrew Booth in coverage.
Those plays were uncharacteristic of Zimmer’s defense, and they are the reason why I left both Fehoko and Booth off of my final roster prediction.
Set the Deuce Loose
The running back competition in Dallas is one that fans are keeping a close eye on. Ezekiel Elliott did not suit up this preseason, an indication that he has nothing to prove, and his roster spot is secure.
Rico Dowdle did not suit up to play against Los Angeles either, also pointing to the fact his roster spot is safe. The rest of the field is anyone’s guess, but Deuce Vaughn has made a case for himself once again.
A week after rushing for over 5.0 yards per carry, Deuce carried nine times for 53 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per tote to lead the team behind Lance’s 8.2 yards per carry.
Vaughn looked quick and decisive with the ball in his hands, and appeared to get better with each opportunity. It will be difficult for the Cowboys to leave him off of the roster.