The Dallas Cowboys have a BIGGER problem than people think heading into Week 1 — and it starts with the offensive line. On this episode of **Locked On Cowboys Hit Podcast**, host **James Duncan** breaks down the impact of Tyler Smith landing on injured reserve after thumb surgery and what his absence means for Dallas against the New York Giants. Smith is one of the Cowboys’ most important offensive linemen, and losing him to start the season creates even more questions for an offensive line that was already undergoing changes. Dallas traded for former first-round pick Broderick Jones, added Wanya Morris and is still trying to figure out its best combination up front. The biggest question is simple: **Can the Cowboys protect Dak Prescott?** Dallas has the weapons to put together one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses with Dak, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Jake Ferguson. But none of that matters if the offensive line allows the Giants’ pass rush to dictate the game. And New York has the players to make Dallas pay, including **Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux**. But there could be another side of this Cowboys team that changes everything. James breaks down why the Cowboys’ new-look defense could be the key to surviving the offensive-line concerns. With **Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Von Miller, Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence and Shavon Revel Jr.**, Dallas has invested heavily in improving the defense. This will also be the first real regular-season test for defensive coordinator **Christian Parker** and rookie safety **Caleb Downs**, who was selected 11th overall. Can Dallas pressure Jaxson Dart? Can the defense force turnovers? And can the Cowboys keep the Giants from letting Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo take over the game? **If the Cowboys’ defense is really as different as advertised, Week 1 is where they need to prove it.** Plus, James breaks down the latest Cowboys-Kalshi prediction market, with Dallas currently trading at a 59% probability to beat the Giants. **Cowboys Nation — what worries you more heading into Week 1: the offensive line without Tyler Smith, or the defense proving it's actually better?** Subscribe to **Locked On Cowboys Hit** for daily Dallas Cowboys news, Cowboys rumors, breaking updates, game previews, player analysis and NFL coverage from James Duncan. **Part of the Locked On Podcast Network.** #DallasCowboys #CowboysNation #TylerSmith #DakPrescott #CowboysNews #CowboysRumors #GiantsVsCowboys #DallasCowboysNews #CalebDowns #QuinnenWilliams #NFL #LockedOnCowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have a BIGGER problem than people think heading into Week 1 — and it starts with the offensive line.
On this episode of Locked On Cowboys Hit Podcast, host James Duncan breaks down the impact of Tyler Smith landing on injured reserve after thumb surgery and what his absence means for Dallas against the New York Giants.
Smith is one of the Cowboys’ most important offensive linemen, and losing him to start the season creates even more questions for an offensive line that was already undergoing changes. Dallas traded for former first-round pick Broderick Jones, added Wanya Morris and is still trying to figure out its best combination up front.
The biggest question is simple: Can the Cowboys protect Dak Prescott?
Dallas has the weapons to put together one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses with Dak, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Jake Ferguson. But none of that matters if the offensive line allows the Giants’ pass rush to dictate the game.
And New York has the players to make Dallas pay, including Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
But there could be another side of this Cowboys team that changes everything.
James breaks down why the Cowboys’ new-look defense could be the key to surviving the offensive-line concerns. With Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Von Miller, Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence and Shavon Revel Jr., Dallas has invested heavily in improving the defense.
This will also be the first real regular-season test for defensive coordinator Christian Parker and rookie safety Caleb Downs, who was selected 11th overall.
Can Dallas pressure Jaxson Dart? Can the defense force turnovers? And can the Cowboys keep the Giants from letting Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo take over the game?
If the Cowboys’ defense is really as different as advertised, Week 1 is where they need to prove it.
Plus, James breaks down the latest Cowboys-Kalshi prediction market, with Dallas currently trading at a 59% probability to beat the Giants.
Cowboys Nation — what worries you more heading into Week 1: the offensive line without Tyler Smith, or the defense proving it's actually better?
Subscribe to Locked On Cowboys Hit for daily Dallas Cowboys news, Cowboys rumors, breaking updates, game previews, player analysis and NFL coverage from James Duncan.
Part of the Locked On Podcast Network.
#DallasCowboys #CowboysNation #TylerSmith #DakPrescott #CowboysNews #CowboysRumors #GiantsVsCowboys #DallasCowboysNews #CalebDowns #QuinnenWilliams #NFL #LockedOnCowboys