A Super Bowl Offense, a Big 12 Defense, and a Very Unhappy Owner | Just Wondering with Nom Hitzges episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 19, 2025 · 15 MIN

A Super Bowl Offense, a Big 12 Defense, and a Very Unhappy Owner | Just Wondering with Nom Hitzges

from The Sunset Lounge DFW · host Stolen Water Media LLC

It’s Friday, December 19th, and Norm is doing that thing where he calmly lays out the facts… while quietly setting the building on fire. After dumping Mike McCarthy for a 7–10 season (even with Dak missing half the year), the Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer and sold everyone the “new coach, new culture, new results” dream. Fast-forward to now: 6–7–1, which is basically the same meal served on a newer plate. Norm runs through the offseason shopping spree and the draft picks that actually look like real football players… then asks the obvious question: how are they still mediocre? Spoiler: it’s hard to look at a defense giving up 30 points per game and not start writing farewell cards. Then we get to the main event: Matt Eberflus’ countdown clock. Jerry Jones loves the offense (who wouldn’t?) but hates the defense with the intensity of a man who knows the actuarial tables and is very aware the last NFC Championship appearance was… 30 years ago. After the Vikings game where J.J. McCarthy looked like Tom Brady (no sacks, career-best passer rating), Jerry goes public: he’s “fine with the players,” but the system isn’t working. Which is convenient, because if it’s not the system… well… then it’s the roster. And if it’s the roster… who built it? Exactly. CHAPTERS 00:00 – The Premise: Why Are the Cowboys Still the Cowboys? 00:23 – Sponsor: Fluent Financial 01:27 – McCarthy Got Fired at 7–10… So How Is 6–7–1 “Progress”? 02:16 – The Offseason Reinforcements: They Actually Tried This Time 03:10 – Injuries, Diggs, and the “It’s One Player’s Fault” Debate 03:51 – The New Toys: Pickens, Kenny Clark, Quinn Williams, and More 04:35 – Draft Class Check-In: Booker, Aziraku, Revel, and Overshown’s Return 05:11 – The Real Question: With All That… Why Are They Still 6–7–1? 05:58 – Jerry’s Frustration Sets In (Again) 06:49 – Sponsor: Bob’s Steak & Chop House 07:19 – Sponsor: Full Moon Healing Balm 08:33 – The “Almost Certain” Firing: Eberflus’ Days Are Numbered 09:16 – 30 Years Since the NFC Title Game: The Loudest Clock in Dallas 10:11 – Offense = Elite, Defense = Big 12 Level (Allegedly) 10:11 – Defensive Rankings: 31st in Scoring, 29th in Yards, Can’t Cover Anybody 11:49 – The Vikings Game: J.J. McCarthy’s 8th Start Turns Into a Highlight Reel 12:27 – Jerry Goes Public: It’s the System, Not the Players (Sure, Jan) 13:24 – The Real Subtext: If It’s Not the Coach… Then It’s the Guy Picking the Players 14:08 – Sponsor Wrap + Subscribe/Follow 15:11 – Stolen Water Media Sign-Off

It’s Friday, December 19th, and Norm is doing that thing where he calmly lays out the facts… while quietly setting the building on fire. After dumping Mike McCarthy for a 7–10 season (even with Dak missing half the year), the Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer and sold everyone the “new coach, new culture, new results” dream. Fast-forward to now: 6–7–1, which is basically the same meal served on a newer plate. Norm runs through the offseason shopping spree and the draft picks that actually look like real football players… then asks the obvious question: how are they still mediocre? Spoiler: it’s hard to look at a defense giving up 30 points per game and not start writing farewell cards. Then we get to the main event: Matt Eberflus’ countdown clock. Jerry Jones loves the offense (who wouldn’t?) but hates the defense with the intensity of a man who knows the actuarial tables and is very aware the last NFC Championship appearance was… 30 years ago. After the Vikings game where J.J. McCarthy looked like Tom Brady (no sacks, career-best passer rating), Jerry goes public: he’s “fine with the players,” but the system isn’t working. Which is convenient, because if it’s not the system… well… then it’s the roster. And if it’s the roster… who built it? Exactly. CHAPTERS 00:00 – The Premise: Why Are the Cowboys Still the Cowboys?00:23 – Sponsor: Fluent Financial01:27 – McCarthy Got Fired at 7–10… So How Is 6–7–1 “Progress”?02:16 – The Offseason Reinforcements: They Actually Tried This Time03:10 – Injuries, Diggs, and the “It’s One Player’s Fault” Debate03:51 – The New Toys: Pickens, Kenny Clark, Quinn Williams, and More04:35 – Draft Class Check-In: Booker, Aziraku, Revel, and Overshown’s Return05:11 – The Real Question: With All That… Why Are They Still 6–7–1?05:58 – Jerry’s Frustration Sets In (Again)06:49 – Sponsor: Bob’s Steak & Chop House07:19 – Sponsor: Full Moon Healing Balm08:33 – The “Almost Certain” Firing: Eberflus’ Days Are Numbered09:16 – 30 Years Since the NFC Title Game: The Loudest Clock in Dallas10:11 – Offense = Elite, Defense = Big 12 Level (Allegedly)10:11 – Defensive Rankings: 31st in Scoring, 29th in Yards, Can’t Cover Anybody11:49 – The Vikings Game: J.J. McCarthy’s 8th Start Turns Into a Highlight Reel12:27 – Jerry Goes Public: It’s the System, Not the Players (Sure, Jan)13:24 – The Real Subtext: If It’s Not the Coach… Then It’s the Guy Picking the Players14:08 – Sponsor Wrap + Subscribe/Follow15:11 – Stolen Water Media Sign-Off

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A Super Bowl Offense, a Big 12 Defense, and a Very Unhappy Owner | Just Wondering with Nom Hitzges

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This episode was published on December 19, 2025.

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It’s Friday, December 19th, and Norm is doing that thing where he calmly lays out the facts… while quietly setting the building on fire. After dumping Mike McCarthy for a 7–10 season (even with Dak missing half the year), the Cowboys hired Brian...

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