Cowboys’ HC Brian Schottenheimer doesn’t want to single out defense after giving up 44 points to the Broncos
Before Denver, the Cowboys’ owner was already selling a long view on his first-year head coach. Jerry Jones said he sees “value in someone who’s never done it before,” praising Brian Schottenheimer’s hunger and “osmosis” from great staffs, even likening that edge to Jimmy Johnson’s early drive.
Jones doubled down after the Week 7 win over Washington, crediting Schottenheimer’s hands-on work with both sides of the ball while noting the defense had “no way to go but up” as Dallas entered Week 8 leading the NFL in yards allowed.
After the 44-24 loss in Denver, Schottenheimer wasn’t interested in a blame game. “When you look at it, I’m not just going to start with the defense,” he said. “I don’t think any of us coached and played well enough.” Asked if the unit needs outside help, he kept the focus internal: “At the end of the day, I think we have good enough players. I think we did not play well tonight.” All per ESPN.
That tone fit the owner’s pregame messaging: emphasize execution and coaching over splashy scapegoats. It also acknowledged the obvious: Dallas was outplayed across the board. Denver hit explosives, controlled leverage situations, and turned a close first half into a runaway.
Schottenheimer’s refusal to isolate one phase mirrored what players and staff echoed last week: complementary football is non-negotiable if Dallas wants staying power in November.
Of course, Jones still left a door open on personnel, just not because of one bad night. Post-Broncos, he said a potential addition would be judged “on the merits… next week or the weeks after [and the longer term],” adding that Sunday’s result “would not affect” a trade decision.
He wondered aloud if “one better player” could help while also saying the Cowboys are “more than that away” and closer to simply executing better on defense. That logic, as some around the league noted, helps explain why Dallas was comfortable trading away Micah Parsons rather than extending him, and why any move now must be priced right, not reactionary.
Big picture, Jones’ comparison invites scrutiny precisely when the schedule tightens. Schottenheimer’s stance after 44 against says the same thing in a different way: fix details, not blame. The next challenge for the Cowboys will be against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9.
Sam LaPorta expected to miss minimal time with an undisclosed injury
The Detroit Lions received more injury news that affects their offense on Thursday, as starting tight end Sam LaPorta didn't participate in Thursday's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins. Lions coach Dan Campbell didn't reveal what type of injury he suffered, leaving it undisclosed, but did mention that the tight end will miss a few days.
"LaPorta will be down. It's not major, but he will miss a little bit of time here," Campbell said.
It's still unclear if LaPorta will see any action in the preseason for the Lions, regardless of his injury. His injury won't have any impact on his status for the regular season.
The Lions are set to have two more preseason games on their schedule, both at home, starting with the Miami Dolphins on Saturday. Detroit will wrap up its 2025 preseason slate on August 23rd against the Houston Texans.
The Lions will open the 2025 NFL regular season on the road against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 7th.
LaPorta's career with the Lions
The Lions drafted the star tight end out of Iowa with the 34th pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. LaPorta is entering his third season with the Lions and has recorded 1,615 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in two years with Detroit.
While LaPorta had a major impact on the Lions' offense last year, it was his rookie season where he made his presence known. In the 2023 season, which featured the Lions winning their first playoff win and division title in 30-plus years, LaPorta finished second on the team with 889 receiving yards and tied for the most touchdowns with 10.
Lions enter the 2025 season with doubters
Entering the 2025 season, the Lions are looking to once again be one of the best offenses in the league, but this time without former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who left to be the head coach of the Chicago Bears.
The Lions will begin a new era with offensive coordinator John Morton, who looks to lead a Detroit offense that has already received its fair share of criticism from doubters about the team's ability to be effective without Johnson.
