It’s been a while since the roof was open at AT&T Stadium. October 30, 2022, in a day game against the Chicago Bears was the last time. It made sense for a while to keep the building closed. The Dallas Cowboys were riding a 16-game home winning streak. Don’t mess with a good thing.
But it’s been far from a good thing lately. Dallas has lost its last five home games, dating back to January’s wild-card loss to the Green Bay Packers. And the games haven’t really been that close. So why not switch things up?
“If you think it will help us win, I’m all for it,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy responded with a smile when asked Wednesday about opening up the roof and doors Monday night to try to change the mojo in the building.
McCarthy would prefer to play with AT&T Stadium completely closed. It’s better for arguably the best kicker in the NFL and Dallas’ passing game — even though it didn’t look like it Sunday.
The temperature is expected to be around 65 degrees during kickoff Monday night against the Houston Texans. The sun won’t be an issue. It seems like a good time to try something different.
In 16 seasons at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys are 50-32 when the building is completely closed. They are 12-11 when the roof and doors are open. They are 2-5 when the roof is open but the doors are closed. They are 10-3 when the roof is closed but the doors are open.
GO DEEPER
Examining the Cowboys’ atrocious turnover margin: ‘Makes me sick’
Players to watch Monday night
Tyler Guyton. The rookie left tackle missed Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury. Asim Richards, a fifth-round pick last year, played well in his absence. Veteran OT Chuma Edoga was practicing this week for the first time since a toe injury sidelined him back in August. Guyton said he is healthy and ready to return. He’s likely to get the start Monday night. But the Cowboys have created some pretty good depth at one of the game’s most important positions.
Micah Parsons. The Houston Texans haven’t faced a pass rusher like Parsons this season. They also have plenty of offensive line issues, which we discussed at length during the latest episode of the “One Star Cowboys Podcast” previewing Monday night’s game. This seems like a great opportunity for another multi-sack game for one of the NFL’s best at getting after quarterbacks.
DeMarvion Overshown. There’s a very short list of Cowboys who are meeting or exceeding expectations this season. Overshown is certainly at the top of the list. He leads Dallas in sacks (4), tackles for loss (3) and is second on the team in tackles (68), according to the team.
this angle of D-Mo gettin’ to the qb 🤩
📺: Up Next ➡️ #HOUvsDAL 11/18 on ESPN pic.twitter.com/M5ogZMgFLC
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 13, 2024
2016 vibes
Leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft, there was a lot of hype about a possible pairing between Ohio State standout running back Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys. Dallas had the No. 4 overall pick and Elliott was the best running back in the class. When Elliott was asked two months before the draft about where he wanted to end up, he said the Cowboys, adding: “I want to go play behind that great offensive line they got down in Dallas.”
Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott: “I want to go play behind that great offensive line they got down in Dallas.” pic.twitter.com/KoLU7dBzwQ
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 5, 2016
Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty had a similar response recently when asked where he would like to play in the NFL. Jeanty, who has rushed for 1,734 yards and 23 touchdowns in nine games, is the favorite to be the first running back picked in the upcoming draft. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has Jeanty, who played high school football in Frisco, Texas, as his top running back in his latest big board.
If the Cowboys continue playing like they have for the majority of the first half of their season, they’ll likely have the opportunity to draft Jeanty. But would a team that has devalued the position as much as the Cowboys did this past offseason really be interested in using a potential top-10 pick on a running back? Jeanty is hopeful.
Ashton Jeanty WANTS to be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
last time a player said this, it was Micah Parsons. We all know how he turned out 👀 pic.twitter.com/uW0VccXu4z
— rezz 🕊️ (@rezzbtw) November 12, 2024
Speaking of the draft — and the Cowboys
The Athletic’s Austin Mock puts together a lot of interesting content. This morning, he looked at the five teams most likely to get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft based off his NFL Projection Model.
No, the Cowboys aren’t in that group … yet.
“Eleven teams have only two or three wins right now, so every loss matters,” Mock writes. “And some matter more than others when you’re talking about the draft order.”
He mentions Dallas (3-6) in the next five in contention for the top pick. Read his breakdown here.
More must-reads
• NFC East roundtable: Commanders-Eagles matchup, how to fix Cowboys, Giants
• NFL head coach candidate list: Interested in who the Cowboys could target if they cut ties with Mike McCarthy?
• QB Betrayal Index: See where Dak Prescott, others fit in Mike Sando’s analysis
(Photo of Ashton Jeanty: Loren Orr / Getty Images)
