Cowboys will get a chance to answer
the question of whether a big trade would help
[November 05, 2025]
By SCHUYLER DIXON
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Trade was the talk of opening week after the
Dallas Cowboys sent star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay
Packers in a blockbuster.
It is the talk of the bye week, too, after owner and general manager
Jerry Jones said on national TV he had made a trade that hadn't been
announced, hours before a 27-17 loss to Arizona on Monday night sent
Dallas into its break.
That deal didn't cause much of a ripple — but another one did.
The Cowboys engaged in their second blockbuster in barely two months
coming off the Parsons trade, this time adding instead of
subtracting by acquiring star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from
the New York Jets. A few hours earlier on trade deadline day, Dallas
picked up Cincinnati linebacker Logan Wilson.
An uneven first half of the season, featuring one of the NFL's best
offenses and worst defenses, left unanswered the question of whether
any trade could help Dallas.
The answer didn't seem very promising after the loss to the
Cardinals, but Dak Prescott remembers 2018. That's when the Cowboys,
who are 3-5-1, had almost the same record, traded for receiver Amari
Cooper and went on to win a playoff game for the first time with
their star quarterback.
There are other similarities, including that Dallas was headed into
its bye when trading for Cooper, and played on Monday night coming
out. This year, the Cowboys visit the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 17.
But there's a huge difference. Seven years ago, the Dallas defense
finished in the top 10. Even with the addition of Williams, this
defense will be hard-pressed to get out of the bottom five.
“I'm being very realistic,” Jones said. “We’ve won three ballgames.
So I do know how to add. I can add it up and look at the numbers of
games we’ve got left and what potential combinations of records
could get you in the playoffs.”
If nothing else, the addition of Williams will give the Dallas
locker room reason to believe in a 2018-like turnaround.
“I know we lost the first week we had (Cooper) on Monday night, but
we ended up getting it back rolling and put together a streak,”
Prescott said. “That’s what this league’s about: creating streaks.
That’s still in front of us. A lot of games left to be played and we
can still get a streak going.”
What's working
Prescott's offense was the best in the league through seven weeks
but has shown signs of sputtering as the Cowboys lost consecutive
games for the first time this season.
Prescott had a four-game stretch of at least three touchdowns
without an interception. He has one TD pass and three picks the past
two games. Receiver George Pickens, acquired from Pittsburgh in the
offseason, had a five-game touchdown streak. Now he has gone three
games without one.
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer watches play against
the Arizona Cardinals in the second half of an NFL football game
Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard
Rodriguez)
Dallas will be fine if CeeDee Lamb and Pickens can
start clicking again, and running back Javonte Williams can keep
getting to the end zone.
What needs help
The NFL's No. 31 defense keeps giving up big chunks of yardage
through long stretches. The latest example was Arizona scoring on
consecutive 70-plus-yard drives after the Cowboys had blocked a punt
and recovered it for a touchdown. Those two Cardinals TDs came on
either side of halftime, putting Dallas in a 24-7 hole. The Cowboys
have allowed at least 40 points twice. The club worst for 40-point
games allowed in a season is three.
Stock up
Kenny Clark erased any doubt about whether age would be an issue
after the Cowboys traded the dynamic Parsons in his prime for a
30-year-old coming off an injury-filled season. Clark has 2 1/2
sacks and plenty of impact on a defensive front that has shown
better resistance against the run, but with plenty of room to
improve.
Stock down
CB Trevon Diggs' days in Dallas appear numbered. He will miss at
least two more games after going on injured reserve because of a
concussion sustained in an accident at home. The Cowboys have said
he is also dealing with knee issues. Diggs spent the past two
offseasons rehabbing separate major knee injuries. Dallas can
release the 2021 All-Pro in the offseason with minimal impact on the
salary cap.
Injuries
LB DeMarvion Overshown could make his season debut against the
Raiders. He tore multiple knee ligaments late last season, the
second major knee injury in his first two seasons. Rookie
third-round pick Shavon Revel is in the same 21-day practice window
in return from IR. That window expires before the Las Vegas game.
... Dallas hopes to get safeties Malik Hooker (toe) and Donovan
Wilson (elbow/shoulder) back after the bye.
Key number
1 — The number of times in franchise history the Cowboys have
allowed at least 400 yards per game. They're at 397 slightly past
the halftime point.
Next steps
The Cowboys play four of the next five games at home after the trip
to Las Vegas. But the schedule is brutal. Defending champ
Philadelphia visits Nov. 23, followed by the runner-up Kansas City
Chiefs on Thanksgiving Day. Three more playoff teams from last
season follow: Detroit on the road, then Minnesota and the Los
Angeles Chargers at home.
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