With three games left in the 2025 regular season, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture. But despite the long odds - less than a 1% chance to sneak into the postseason - there’s still something worth talking about in Dallas: Brian Schottenheimer.
In his first year as head coach, Schottenheimer has brought a different energy to the Cowboys. The culture feels tighter, the leadership more defined, and the offense?
It’s more creative, more balanced, and more unpredictable than what we saw under Mike McCarthy. That’s not nothing - especially in a league where offensive innovation is currency.
But as with most rookie head coaches, the growing pains have been real. And in critical losses to the Lions and Vikings, we saw the kind of conservative decision-making that can cost you games - and maybe even seasons.
Let’s start with the big picture: Schottenheimer has to stop coaching not to lose. That was the vibe against Minnesota.
The offense crossed midfield multiple times, only to sputter out with short-yardage runs, checkdowns to fullbacks like Hunter Luepke, and a hesitancy to go for it on fourth down. That kind of approach might keep you in games, but it won’t win many - especially not in today’s NFL, where the best offenses are aggressive and relentless.
And while Brandon Aubrey has been one of the league’s most reliable kickers all season, he shouldn’t be the centerpiece of your red zone strategy. Kicking field goals once you’re in plus territory isn’t just settling - it’s surrendering. That’s especially true when you’ve got a quarterback playing at an elite level, two receivers that can go toe-to-toe with any duo in the league, and a ground game that’s been quietly efficient.
Aubrey is a luxury, not a lifeline. That’s the mindset Schottenheimer needs to adopt moving forward.
One decision in particular stands out: passing on a manageable 4th-and-3 early in the game, only to be forced into a much tougher 4th-and-7 with everything on the line in the fourth quarter. That’s not just a missed opportunity - it’s a misread of the game’s rhythm. And when your defense is struggling, like it was against Matt Eberflus’ offense, you can’t afford to give away possessions.
Ironically, the game started with a spark. A beautifully executed fake field goal in the first quarter should’ve been a signal that Dallas was ready to play bold, aggressive football. Instead, that early creativity vanished, and the Cowboys reverted to a more passive approach until desperation kicked in.
And when you lean too heavily on your kicker, even one as good as Aubrey, you’re playing with fire. He missed two kicks in that game - rare for him, but costly nonetheless. Those misses loomed large as Dallas scrambled to make up ground late.
None of this is to say Schottenheimer hasn’t shown promise. He has.
The offense is more dynamic, the locker room seems to be buying in, and there’s a foundation being laid. But if the Cowboys want to take the next step - and they have the talent to do it - Schottenheimer’s in-game decision-making has to evolve.
Aggression isn’t just a mindset; it’s a necessity in today’s NFL. The best teams - the ones still playing in January - don’t settle for three when they can go for seven. And with the weapons Dallas has on offense, there’s no excuse not to lean into that.
Brandon Aubrey can still be a difference-maker. Just not the one you build your game plan around.