Schottenheimer Indicates Cowboys Demoting Rookie Playmaker in Week 9
For Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue, just getting on the field this season was a bit of a struggle. He was taken in the fifth round of the draft out of Texas, and considered something of a steal because of his speed, but once he reported to Dallas, coaches found his work ethic and attention to detail was not quite up to NFL snuff.
Blue was a healthy scratch for all of September, before making his debut against the Jets on October 5. His chance came as RB2 Miles Sanders went down for the season with a knee injury, putting the rookie in position to solidify his spot with the team.
But since getting a bump up on the depth chart, Blue has failed to deliver for the Cowboys, gaining just 65 yards on 22 carries, an unimpressive 3.0 yards per rush. Worse, against the Broncos in Week 8, Blue lost a fumble in the third quarter and this week, coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated that veteran backup Malik Davis may well have overtaken Blue on the depth chart heading into Week 9 vs. the Cardinals.
Cowboys’ Schottenheimer: Jaydon Blue Was ‘Inconsistent’
When talking about Blue this week, here’s the full context of Schottenheimer’s comments, including his sentiments that Blue should actively be learning from RB1 Javonte Williams:
“Jaydon was inconsistent in the game. He did some really good things, but there were some other things he’s got to do at a higher level. The fumble was a good hit, but he’s got to be able to hold onto the ball. And actually our combination block was supposed to come off to it and it didn’t so, again, that’s a blocking issue. But again, he can continue to play and emphasize playing more and more physical with and without the ball. That’s real.
“That’s a young back learning the speed of the game, the physicality of the game. But to me, I am always going to go back to the consistency. You can’t put the ball on the ground, you have to be on top of your blitz pickups, you have to do those things. The big thing I have told him about, you’ve got the perfect guy sitting right to your left in Javonte to learn from. (He) was you a couple years ago as a young rookie trying to figure things out, and lean on him. Javonte does everything right.”
Malik Davis Cowboys Opportunities Coming?
But it was what Schottenheimer then said, unprovoked, that is interesting as far as the depth chart goes. Schottenheimer praised Davis out of the blue, despite the fact that Davis has played only five snaps this year.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about Malik Davis and the job he is doing for us,” Schottenheimer said. “We’re all about creating competition, it’s not just creating competition on the defensive side of the ball and who’s gonna play. It’s on the offensive side as well. And that would be another battle to watch.”
Again, there was no prior indication that Davis was battling for the backup spot–until Schottenheimer said it.
Jaydon Blue Ran a 4.38 40-Yard Dash
Blue made his mark last season for Texas with his versatility, rushing for 730 yards on 133 carries, and adding 368 yards receiving on 42 catches. He had 146 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns in their playoff win over Clemson, but was shut down in the next two games, going for just 20 yards on eight carries in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
But the Cowboys liked his speed coming out of college, with a 4.38 40-yard dash at the Combine, and felt he was a steal in the fifth round.
Josh Allen Dominates in Bills' Victory Over Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes Praises His Rival’s Talent
Buffalo, NY – In an electrifying matchup at Highmark Stadium, the Buffalo Bills edged out the Kansas City Chiefs 28-21, with Josh Allen leading the charge in a dominant performance that left NFL fans buzzing. Despite a late-game push from the Chiefs, the Bills held their ground, securing an important win to boost their position in the AFC standings.
Allen was nothing short of spectacular, completing 23 of 26 passes for a career-high 88.5% completion rate. He threw for 253 yards, including two touchdown passes, and ran for another two touchdowns, making his presence felt both through the air and on the ground. The Chiefs’ defense, known for being one of the toughest in the league, was unable to contain Allen’s versatility, as he routinely moved the ball down the field with precision and poise.
"It's hard to describe how much work goes into moments like this," Allen said after the game. "Every week, it’s about fine-tuning the little things. Tonight, I just felt in sync with my guys, and everything clicked."
But Allen’s efforts didn’t just shine on the field — his play earned him high praise from none other than Kansas City’s star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. The two quarterbacks have had a rivalry that’s been building for years, but after this game, Mahomes had nothing but admiration for his counterpart.
"I’ve said it before, Josh Allen is one of the quarterbacks I respect the most in this league. He can do it all — from making deep throws to leading his team with his legs. We always compete hard against each other, but I have to admit, Josh is exceptional on every single play," Mahomes said in a post-game interview. "This game was just another reminder of his extraordinary talent. A guy like him deserves all the respect."
The Chiefs struggled to gain traction throughout the game, particularly in the second half. Mahomes, who threw for 250 yards and one touchdown, faced consistent pressure from the Bills' defense. Buffalo’s defensive front, led by Von Miller and Ed Oliver, recorded three sacks and stymied the Chiefs’ attempts to rally in the final minutes.
Buffalo’s win came down to execution in the clutch moments, as the Chiefs had a chance to tie the game with less than two minutes remaining. However, a crucial interception by Buffalo’s Tre’Davious White sealed the victory for the Bills.
"We knew they were coming for us, and we had to step up. In moments like this, it’s all about trusting the game plan," White said after the game.
The Bills' win not only strengthened their claim as a Super Bowl contender but also sent a clear message to the rest of the AFC: Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are ready to compete at the highest level. The victory moves the Bills to 6-2 on the season, while the Chiefs, now 5-3, will need to regroup before their next challenge.
As for Allen, his play is only getting better as the season progresses, and with Mahomes' respect now fully earned, it's clear that the battle for AFC supremacy will come down to these two elite quarterbacks.
With the Bills in top form, and the Chiefs looking to recover, the AFC playoff race promises to be as thrilling as ever.
