Thanks for joining Ed Werder and Matt Mosley for another edition of The Doomsday Podcast.
In this episode Matt and Ed discuss the latest Dallas Cowboys loss.
Ed targets Jerry Jones as the architect of this losing streak. Here's a little of what he had to say:
Halfway through what would become their worst loss ever at JerryWorld, namesake Jerry Jones, at the ceremony honoring him, said, "What I’ve tried to do with every breath is to make the Dallas Cowboys better, and to make the NFL better. That’s what I try to do and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Without Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys have scored one touchdown in 22 possessions.
The running back Jerry built his entire team around and took fourth overall is on a mid season vacation in Cabo of all places. He's serving a suspension.
Without Elliott and left tackle Tyron Smith, Dak Prescott has produced one touchdown - none in the last 20 offensive series - and had six turnovers and been sacked 12 times in two games.
The Cowboys have been outscored 64-16 in the last two games.
This whole season has been about the Cowboys owner and GM, and the unique distraction he always is, has been and will be. For the Cowboys, this season has been about Jones being inducted into the HOF; Jones defending Ezekiel Elliott and trying to make his suspension go away; Jones publicly challenging Commissioner Roger Goodell.
And that's why I would argue the Cowboys lost this game and the division title and probably the playoffs in the front office as much as they did on the field at JerryWorld.
While Jerry was doing his Jerry things, Eagles GM Howie Roseman was busy doing what the only thing every other NFL GM does. He was focused on building a football team - specifically one that has talent and depth and can withstand the kind of injuries that unraveled the Cowboys.
While Dak Prescott endures his worst football nightmares without Elliott and Tyron Smith, the Eagles remade the offense around their second-year quarterback:
-- they signed in free agency WR Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith, both with TDs against Dallas.
-- they signed LeGarrette Blount, a hammer of a running back who had 57 of the Eagles 215 rushing yards.
-- they traded at the deadline for RB Jay Ajayi, who ran for 91 yards, including a 71-yarder that led to a back-breaking TD.
The Eagles wanted to make Carson Wentz better and they succeeded by acquiring tough, physical players the Cowboys couldn't overcome.
The Eagles signed two running backs. In contrast, here's what Jerry's team did knowing for a year they could lose their best player in Elliott. Nothing to improve the position. They kept veterans Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden, who oddly wasn't active.
The Cowboys will blame it on injuries even though attrition is part of the game and it is true they've lost arguably their best offensive, defensive and special teams player. But let's put those side by side and compare it with the situation the Eagles are handling
BOTH the Eagles and Cowboys played without their starting left tackle, kicker and best playmaking linebacker.
LT: Tyron Smith/Jason Peters
LB Sean Lee/Jordan Hicks
RB Ezekiel Elliott/Darren Sproles
PK: Dan Bailey/Elliott