Can the Cowboys be among the most physical NFL teams in 2025?

[Bobhaze]

It’s no secret. The fundamentals of football never, ever stop being important. The teams who can block and tackle the best, execute their schemes the best and have at least a few skill people who are special - they are always going to win big.

Taking it a step further, in addition to the fundamentals, the NFL’s most physical teams are usually winning the most playoff games.

Who have been the most physically dominant teams the last few seasons?

• In 2024, the most physically dominant team in the league was hands down Philly. The eagles OL/DL just manhandled opponents in the run game and on defense. The “Tush Push” works not because it’s a great play design. It works because their OL is physical.
• In 2022 and ‘23 it was the Niners. SF’s defense, especially their LBs, were just maulers.
• In the AFC the last few years, to the surprise of some, the chiefs are a lot more physical on D than most fans realize. DT Chris Jones needs a double team every play. They have had a top end D for three years now.
• The ravens also are widely known as one of the most physical in the league.

Here’s my point: One of the biggest keys to the Cowboys possible return to playoff glory is being able to bully some opponents. Those 90s teams were physically dominant in the trenches.

So when was the last time we had a really physical team? Here are some recent candidates:

• 2014 team - had a dominant OL with Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. The run game that year led the league. It was no coincidence it was Romo’s best season. Problem was we had a defense that was not particularly physical.
• 2016 team - Adding the young talent of Zeke coupled with the continued dominance of that same core OL as 2014, the Cowboys took the #1 seed in the NFC. Once again it was the defense that was the soft spot.

We could certainly discuss other Cowboys teams’ physicality but my hope is with the influx of physical players like Tyler Booker and Donovan Ezeiruaku it can only help us get more physical.

Do I think the Cowboys will be able to play some “bully ball” next year? Honestly I think we still need some help on the defensive side of the trenches but I am hopeful we have taken a step forward in getting more physical. Maybe we’re another year away. We will see come September.

 

[TheMightyVanHalen]

I think we will be physically dominate on offense. On defense, and I'm no coach, but to me, I think we will be a DQ type defense. With Fowler/Parson/Eze, we will get after the QB. No doubt about that. But I don't see us being physically dominate in the trenches.

GO COWBOYS!

 

[Bobhaze]

I think we will be physically dominate on offense. On defense, and I'm no coach, but to me, I think we will be a DQ type defense. With Fowler/Parson/Eze, we will get after the QB. No doubt about that. But I don't see us being physically dominate in the trenches.

GO COWBOYS!

I think the offense will be ahead of the defense too. I also think it’s going to take more than a season to get this team to become a team whose physicality can impose its will. I th8 k we take a postive step forward this year.

 

[Kwyn]

It’s no secret. The fundamentals of football never, ever stop being important. The teams who can block and tackle the best, execute their schemes the best and have at least a few skill people who are special - they are always going to win big.

Taking it a step further, in addition to the fundamentals, the NFL’s most physical teams are usually winning the most playoff games.

Who have been the most physically dominant teams the last few seasons?

• In 2024, the most physically dominant team in the league was hands down Philly. The eagles OL/DL just manhandled opponents in the run game and on defense. The “Tush Push” works not because it’s a great play design. It works because their OL is physical.
• In 2022 and ‘23 it was the Niners. SF’s defense, especially their LBs, were just maulers.
• In the AFC the last few years, to the surprise of some, the chiefs are a lot more physical on D than most fans realize. DT Chris Jones needs a double team every play. They have had a top end D for three years now.
• The ravens also are widely known as one of the most physical in the league.

Here’s my point: One of the biggest keys to the Cowboys possible return to playoff glory is being able to bully some opponents. Those 90s teams were physically dominant in the trenches.

So when was the last time we had a really physical team? Here are some recent candidates:

• 2014 team - had a dominant OL with Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. The run game that year led the league. It was no coincidence it was Romo’s best season. Problem was we had a defense that was not particularly physical.
• 2016 team - Adding the young talent of Zeke coupled with the continued dominance of that same core OL as 2014, the Cowboys took the #1 seed in the NFC. Once again it was the defense that was the soft spot.

We could certainly discuss other Cowboys teams’ physicality but my hope is with the influx of physical players like Tyler Booker and Donovan Ezeiruaku it can only help us get more physical.

Do I think the Cowboys will be able to play some “bully ball” next year? Honestly I think we still need some help on the defensive side of the trenches but I am hopeful we have taken a step forward in getting more physical. Maybe we’re another year away. We will see come September.

I agree that we’re still a year away from being able to be physical on both sides of the ball. We lack an established interior LB who is a thumper and DT is still, obviously, unsettled.

 

[ColoradoCowboy]

It depends...

Are we talking "top half" of the NFL, "top 10", or top 3?

Top half? Sure. Very real possibility.
Top 10? Maybe, but unlikely. The center of the defense is soft.
Top 3? Keep dreaming.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

On offense, maybe pretty physical.

On defense, not a chance.

 

[fivetwos]

It’s no secret. The fundamentals of football never, ever stop being important. The teams who can block and tackle the best, execute their schemes the best and have at least a few skill people who are special - they are always going to win big.

Taking it a step further, in addition to the fundamentals, the NFL’s most physical teams are usually winning the most playoff games.

Who have been the most physically dominant teams the last few seasons?

• In 2024, the most physically dominant team in the league was hands down Philly. The eagles OL/DL just manhandled opponents in the run game and on defense. The “Tush Push” works not because it’s a great play design. It works because their OL is physical.
• In 2022 and ‘23 it was the Niners. SF’s defense, especially their LBs, were just maulers.
• In the AFC the last few years, to the surprise of some, the chiefs are a lot more physical on D than most fans realize. DT Chris Jones needs a double team every play. They have had a top end D for three years now.
• The ravens also are widely known as one of the most physical in the league.

Here’s my point: One of the biggest keys to the Cowboys possible return to playoff glory is being able to bully some opponents. Those 90s teams were physically dominant in the trenches.

So when was the last time we had a really physical team? Here are some recent candidates:

• 2014 team - had a dominant OL with Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. The run game that year led the league. It was no coincidence it was Romo’s best season. Problem was we had a defense that was not particularly physical.
• 2016 team - Adding the young talent of Zeke coupled with the continued dominance of that same core OL as 2014, the Cowboys took the #1 seed in the NFC. Once again it was the defense that was the soft spot.

We could certainly discuss other Cowboys teams’ physicality but my hope is with the influx of physical players like Tyler Booker and Donovan Ezeiruaku it can only help us get more physical.

Do I think the Cowboys will be able to play some “bully ball” next year? Honestly I think we still need some help on the defensive side of the trenches but I am hopeful we have taken a step forward in getting more physical. Maybe we’re another year away. We will see come September.

Definitely.

When Shoddy comes in and puts Jerry on mute and changes the goal/act from media attention to being a tough football team, I can’t see why not.

I’m proud of Jerry for finally hiring a tough-type HC who will stand up to him and his antics.

But seriously folks….Jerry gets on the radio weekly and defends mediocre to bad play, which essentially makes it acceptable, and the team soft overall.

Why? Because it’s constant defense of the job he is doing. It’s a conflict of interest and a huge problem that he refuses to understand or care about.

 

[Rockport]

It’s no secret. The fundamentals of football never, ever stop being important. The teams who can block and tackle the best, execute their schemes the best and have at least a few skill people who are special - they are always going to win big.

Taking it a step further, in addition to the fundamentals, the NFL’s most physical teams are usually winning the most playoff games.

Who have been the most physically dominant teams the last few seasons?

• In 2024, the most physically dominant team in the league was hands down Philly. The eagles OL/DL just manhandled opponents in the run game and on defense. The “Tush Push” works not because it’s a great play design. It works because their OL is physical.
• In 2022 and ‘23 it was the Niners. SF’s defense, especially their LBs, were just maulers.
• In the AFC the last few years, to the surprise of some, the chiefs are a lot more physical on D than most fans realize. DT Chris Jones needs a double team every play. They have had a top end D for three years now.
• The ravens also are widely known as one of the most physical in the league.

Here’s my point: One of the biggest keys to the Cowboys possible return to playoff glory is being able to bully some opponents. Those 90s teams were physically dominant in the trenches.

So when was the last time we had a really physical team? Here are some recent candidates:

• 2014 team - had a dominant OL with Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. The run game that year led the league. It was no coincidence it was Romo’s best season. Problem was we had a defense that was not particularly physical.
• 2016 team - Adding the young talent of Zeke coupled with the continued dominance of that same core OL as 2014, the Cowboys took the #1 seed in the NFC. Once again it was the defense that was the soft spot.

We could certainly discuss other Cowboys teams’ physicality but my hope is with the influx of physical players like Tyler Booker and Donovan Ezeiruaku it can only help us get more physical.

Do I think the Cowboys will be able to play some “bully ball” next year? Honestly I think we still need some help on the defensive side of the trenches but I am hopeful we have taken a step forward in getting more physical. Maybe we’re another year away. We will see come September.

That’s the $60k question. They can but it’s all up to the coaches. Can they instill that into the team and change the culture. Time will tell. I’m hopeful they can.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I think they're taking strides haze, the 1st round pick wasn't sexy, but it builds to our physicality we're trying to establish, I like us getting a BIGGER guy at DT! We all wanted it to happen, and it did, hopefully he can do good things for us

 

[Creeper]

I certainly hope Booker can come in and be physical right from the start - and it rubs off on the rest of them. I think Steele can be physical in the running game. I think Beebe with a year under his belt can play with more confidence and be more physical too. Tyler Smith is pretty physical. He can be more so I think. Guyton has to be stronger in 2025. He can't be physical if he is getting beaten by smaller DE.

 

[OGSixshooter]

It’s no secret. The fundamentals of football never, ever stop being important. The teams who can block and tackle the best, execute their schemes the best and have at least a few skill people who are special - they are always going to win big.

Taking it a step further, in addition to the fundamentals, the NFL’s most physical teams are usually winning the most playoff games.

Who have been the most physically dominant teams the last few seasons?

• In 2024, the most physically dominant team in the league was hands down Philly. The eagles OL/DL just manhandled opponents in the run game and on defense. The “Tush Push” works not because it’s a great play design. It works because their OL is physical.
• In 2022 and ‘23 it was the Niners. SF’s defense, especially their LBs, were just maulers.
• In the AFC the last few years, to the surprise of some, the chiefs are a lot more physical on D than most fans realize. DT Chris Jones needs a double team every play. They have had a top end D for three years now.
• The ravens also are widely known as one of the most physical in the league.

Here’s my point: One of the biggest keys to the Cowboys possible return to playoff glory is being able to bully some opponents. Those 90s teams were physically dominant in the trenches.

So when was the last time we had a really physical team? Here are some recent candidates:

• 2014 team - had a dominant OL with Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. The run game that year led the league. It was no coincidence it was Romo’s best season. Problem was we had a defense that was not particularly physical.
• 2016 team - Adding the young talent of Zeke coupled with the continued dominance of that same core OL as 2014, the Cowboys took the #1 seed in the NFC. Once again it was the defense that was the soft spot.

We could certainly discuss other Cowboys teams’ physicality but my hope is with the influx of physical players like Tyler Booker and Donovan Ezeiruaku it can only help us get more physical.

Do I think the Cowboys will be able to play some “bully ball” next year? Honestly I think we still need some help on the defensive side of the trenches but I am hopeful we have taken a step forward in getting more physical. Maybe we’re another year away. We will see come September.

When they asked "Purcells" his philosophy when he first got to Dallas he said, "Two words: Power Wins."

 

[Bobhaze]

The odds are very long on 7th round DT Jay Toia. But even if we can get 10-15 quality snaps a game from him on defense to clog the run game we will be better.

Watching teams like the ravens, the eagles and niners just run the ball through our defense like a chain saw is demoralizing. In the past few seasons when teams punched the Cowboys we didn’t have much of a counter punch.

Hopefully that’s changing. It sure needs to.

 

[plasticman]

I've heard a few analysts and former HCs say that it is the offensive line that determines the team's characteristics more than any other squad. As much as the Triplets meant to those 90's championships, the dominance of the offensive line was just as important.

I don't know about this coming season, this O-line would have to get it together pretty quick. They are quite young. Once again, they will have at least one newcomer starting with two more entering their 2nd season. I expect a lot of improvement from Guyton and Beebe but Booker would have to surprise us with elite play from the start for this line to be considered physical.

I really can't say they will be one of the most physical when it will depend so much on the play of a rookie. I also have to consider how they would be effected by the injury to a starter. It's just part of the game. I would also be concerned about penalties, a young line wanting to be physical might be a target for exuberant referees, just saying.

I think this O-line is going to be the story of 2026 assuming they all stay healthy. However, for the 2025 season, I will say I think they will be greatly improved. I think they will run the ball efficiently and the overall offense will be more successful. Winning will determine whether they will be perceived as physical or something else.

 

[plasticman]

The odds are very long on 7th round DT Jay Toia. But even if we can get 10-15 quality snaps a game from him on defense to clog the run game we will be better.

Watching teams like the ravens, the eagles and niners just run the ball through our defense like a chain saw is demoralizing. In the past few seasons when teams punched the Cowboys we didn’t have much of a counter punch.

Hopefully that’s changing. It sure needs to.

As far as getting physical on defense, I'm pretty excited about the EDGE competition among three 2nd round draft picks from the past four years. Williams, Kneeland and Ezeiruaku represent a substantial investment and that should mean quality depth and an effective rotation.

It might also give Parsons more opportunities to roam free. That could make things pretty physical.

 

[Chasing6]

I think we will be physically dominate on offense. On defense, and I'm no coach, but to me, I think we will be a DQ type defense. With Fowler/Parson/Eze, we will get after the QB. No doubt about that. But I don't see us being physically dominate in the trenches.

GO COWBOYS!

We will see some dominance.

1/3 of the league we will dominate.

1/3 of the league we will play very physical with.

The remaining 1/3 of the league is the big question. Have we gained enough ground? Time will tell.

 

[KingCorcoran]

It depends...

Are we talking "top half" of the NFL, "top 10", or top 3?

Top half? Sure. Very real possibility.
Top 10? Maybe, but unlikely. The center of the defense is soft.
Top 3? Keep dreaming.

The offseason is for dreaming. Fantasizing. What other happiness do Cowboys fans enjoy? The misery starts when the regular season starts. Post season is nothing more than two words to Cowboys fans.

Let’s say “Top 3”. What the heck.

 

[5Stars]

The offseason is for dreaming. Fantasizing. What other happiness do Cowboys fans enjoy? The misery starts when the regular season starts. Post season is nothing more than two words to Cowboys fans.

Let’s say “Top 3”. What the heck.

lol...asking an open ended question to a bunch of forum members as if someone says yes, it will happen.

Ok, sure why not. Probably be the most physical team the NFL has ever seen. Yeah, that's the ticket!

 

[JoeKing]

How physical this team is,100% on the coaches. BS isn't that kind of coach, so I don't expect an increase in how physical they are.

 

[ColoradoCowboy]

lol...asking an open ended question to a bunch of forum members as if someone says yes, it will happen.

Ok, sure why not. Probably be the most physical team the NFL has ever seen. Yeah, that's the ticket!

 

[morat1959]

The offseason is for dreaming. Fantasizing. What other happiness do Cowboys fans enjoy? The misery starts when the regular season starts. Post season is nothing more than two words to Cowboys fans.

Let’s say “Top 3”. What the heck.

As in where we’ll be picking next year?