The Cowboys’ message to George Pickens came through loud and clear in Philadelphia: production alone won’t protect you if the rest of the job isn’t getting done.
After publicly criticizing Pickens for what he viewed as poor run-blocking in the loss to the Green Bay Packers, Schottenheimer backed up the warning against the Eagles. Ryan Flournoy ended up playing more snaps than Pickens in the much-needed win, a pointed move that made the point without needing much explanation.
According to Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan, Pickens was on the field for just 13 run-blocking snaps. Flournoy handled 28, while CeeDee Lamb had 27.
Pickens logged 12 fewer snaps than Flournoy overall, with many of those reps tied to Javonte Williams’ work on the ground. For a player of Pickens’ profile, that kind of reduction says plenty.
Pickens still turned in a solid stat line, finishing with four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown grab that took the breath away of everyone in the stadium. Flournoy matched him with four receptions and finished with 70 yards. That production gives the Cowboys a real reason to keep leaning on Flournoy if Pickens won’t consistently do the dirty work.
The numbers this season still show Pickens contributing: 37 catches, 485 yards and two touchdowns. On a per-game basis, that’s better than what he delivered in Pittsburgh, even with CeeDee Lamb soaking up plenty of the top-end targets. But it’s also a step down from last year, and Pickens is in the middle of a contract dispute as he looks for another payday.
This isn’t the first time Schottenheimer has disciplined him on the field. Against the Las Vegas Raiders, Pickens and Lamb were both benched for the opening series after a curfew violation.
That matters when the conversation turns to a deal that could approach $40 million per season. Anyone considering that kind of investment has to factor in the moments when Pickens’ effort or discipline becomes part of the story.
The Cowboys had enough on their plate already, from Jerry Jones sitting in the suite with Stephen A. Smith to a defense that has repeatedly made life harder than it should be.
Even so, winning on the road against a division opponent carries weight. And for Schottenheimer, sending the message that nobody gets a pass may have been the part that felt best.
In Other News...
Cowboys May Have Finally Found A Better Tight End Formula
Dak Prescotts three-touchdown afternoon against Philadelphia came with an offense that looked a little different than it had in recent weeks, and the tight end usage stood out as much as anything. Jake Ferguson, who has been one of the more familiar pieces in Dallas passing game, saw his playing time and target share dip noticeably, while Brevyn Spann-Ford picked up more work and more chances to stay on the field.
For a Cowboys offense that has been searching for the right balance around Prescott, the shift suggests the staff may be leaning into a different tight end setup. Ferguson is still part of the equation, but the growing role for Spann-Ford points to a real change in how Dallas wants to deploy the position, and it will be worth watching whether this was a one-game wrinkle or the start of a larger adjustment. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Defense Just Gave Fans A New Reason For Hope
The Cowboys defense had a rough opening against Philadelphia, with the Eagles punching in touchdowns on their first two drives, but the group settled in and gave Dallas a chance to win. After that early burst, the Eagles managed only one more touchdown, and the Cowboys pass defense did enough to keep the game from getting away while the offense took advantage of the other side of the ball.
A lot of the optimism comes from the way the front and back end looked working together. DeMarvion Overshown was active all over the field in his return, and the pass rush kept building pressure with Quinnen Williams collapsing plays behind the line and Donovan Ezeiruaku finally getting to the quarterback for his first full sack of the season. The run defense still has work to do, but this was the kind of performance that can make the Cowboys believe the unit is starting to turn a corner. [Read more 🡒]
Jerry Jones Just Raised The Stakes For Cowboys Trade Rumors
Jerry Jones has spent the early part of the season doing what he often does when the Cowboys need a lift: putting the possibility of a trade back into the conversation. Dallas has been connected to help on the defensive side as the deadline approaches, with the front office looking for ways to raise the units ceiling and steady a roster that still feels a piece or two short of being complete.
The names surfacing give a sense of the kind of move the Cowboys might be chasing, and they also underline how real this search has become. With the deadline coming in early November, the next few weeks will tell whether Jones is simply stoking interest or preparing to act, but the signal is clear enough for now: Dallas is not treating the market like a spectator. [Read more 🡒]