The Dallas Cowboys are not just playing football this Friday night. They are fighting for their lives on the depth chart. With the roster cut deadline looming on Sunday at 6 PM, every snap against the New Orleans Saints carries massive weight. This isn’t a typical preseason tune-up. It is the final audition for dozens of players trying to keep their jobs. The stakes are higher than the score on the board.
Who Makes the Cut?
The pressure is on for the bottom of the depth chart. According to Blogging The Boys, the team must trim the squad from 90 players down to the standard 53. That math leaves very little room for error. Players on the bubble know they need to show up big time. The team has many guys who could play elsewhere, but they need to prove they belong in Arlington. This game is the last chance to make a case for a spot.
One of the biggest battles is on the edge rush. Marist Liufau and Sam Williams are fighting for reps and a roster spot. Sam Williams has shown up well in the first two games, including a sack against the Arizona Cardinals. Liufau has created pressure with his speed but has no official sacks yet. Both are competing with James Houston for that final spot. The coaches need to see who can rush the passer best right now. The team cannot afford to keep a player who cannot get to the quarterback.
The running back room is just as messy. Jaydon Blue once had the lead for the backup job behind Javonte Williams. But Malik Davis has pushed hard and refused to back down. Davis looked like the clear winner after the first game, then Blue answered with great speed and agility. Blue actually led the team in rushing against the Cardinals last Saturday. Now it is a stalemate. Israel Abanikanda and Phil Mafah are also in the mix for the final roster spots. The running backs will get extended snaps to show who belongs.
How to Watch the Showdown
Don’t miss a second of this action. The game tips off at 8:00 PM EST on Friday, August 28th. The Cowboys are 2-0, while the Saints are 0-2 coming into this matchup. The odds have Dallas favored by 2.5 points. You can catch the game on local TV via KTVT 11 or stream it nationally with ESPN Unlimited. Radio fans can tune into 105.3 The Fan or SXM. The location is AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
There is extra spice to this game too. The Cowboys and Saints had a very contentious joint practice recently with fights breaking out. That tension will add an interesting aspect to the game on Friday night. If the Cowboys win, they accomplish something they haven’t in a long time. The team still has plenty of roster decisions to make, and this game will decide many of them. You can check the depth chart and roster links to match names to jersey numbers before kickoff.
Per Blogging The Boys, the prediction for the game is a Cowboys 24 to Saints 16 victory. But the real story is who stays and who goes. The final roster will be set by Sunday evening. Until then, every tackle and every catch matters. The fans at AT&T Stadium will see the future of the team unfold on the field. It is time to see who earns the right to wear the star.
