Cowboys at Colts: 5 Keys To Season-Saving (And Schottenheimer Job-Saving?) Win

The Dallas Cowboys will travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to face the Indianapolis Colts in a game Brian Schottenheimer knows could determine the 2026 season ... and maybe his coaching future.

At 3-5, Dallas' season is teetering on the edge, and a loss to the Colts would signal the end of the Cowboys in 2026, while a win, at least for some, keeps the fire burning for a little while longer.

With the Colts in fire-sale mode, many expect the Cowboys to win this game. Then again, those same people expected wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals, too.

So, if the Cowboys are to get a victory on the road in this noon CT start at 2-6 Indianapolis, how could they do it?

By doing these five things.

1 - Entire team be shot out of a cannon:

And what I mean by this is start the game fast on both sides of the ball. 

Dak Prescott and the offense need to get this thing rolling early, put points on the board, and end any hope of an upset early. The Jacksonville Jaguars did that last week against Indy and were up 28-0 at halftime.

Defensively, the Cowboys have to keep it tight, with the Colts not scoring more than 10 points in each of their last two games.

Come out, and land a knockout punch early. Don't play with your food.

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2 - Get your star WR the freaking football:

Now, this was provided George Pickens was to play. The Cowboys on Saturday, elevated Jordan Hudson from the practice squad as insurance.

But Pickens is now on the inactive list.

So ... Get it done with CeeDee Lamb and advantageous matchups against the Colts wobbly secondary.

Schottenheimer says he is an elite play-caller. Show us by doing what you do when you have to adjust.

That'd be "elite.''

3 - Don't play scared:

This isn't the time to be conservative. If you are faced with a fourth-down and are in a good spot on the field with a short distance to pick up a first down, go get it.

Let Dak loose and allow the 11-year veteran to do what he does best, and that's score touchdowns. Don't settle for field goals. For all intents and purposes, there is no Brandon Aubrey Sunday.

A damning stat that showed the Cowboys never go for it on 4th and between one and five when in field goal range is shocking.

You have the weapons; use them. You played scared here; that tells us all we need to know about the mentality of this head coach.

Play to win, don't play not to lose.

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4 - Four-quarter effort from defense:

Slight improvement was made last week, and after an ok first half (don't forget how many wide-open receivers Jacoby Brissett missed), the defense simply wilted.

Against a Colts team that knows it isn't playing for anything, take their soul.

Just 10 and seven points this offense has scored in its last two games; don't let them find their groove, Christian. They've committed seven turnovers in their last three games, plus the offensive line has given up eight sacks in its last two games.

If Parker's defense can't get a turnover and get multiple sacks here, pack it up and go home, because they never will.

5 - Curb Marshawn Kneeland emotion:

Now, this one is a little hard to gauge, but given it is the anniversary of Marshawn's tragic passing, there have been talks inside The Star this week on how the Cowboys can and will honor him.

Emotions will no doubt be high for Dallas, but it is important to channel that into something productive. 

Playing this game for Marshawn and his family is a powerful motivator, but as we know, the mental side of football isn't straightforward, and if the Cowboys go too deep into it, they could be mentally drained before a snap is played.

No Pickens. No Joey Porter. No DeMarvion Overshown.

Yes, it will be an emotional game; on one level, those three guys on the inactive list will be an emotional issue. And on a deeper level, Kneeland will be on everyone's minds. So funnel that into something tangible on the field. 

Don't let all of them overwhelm you, fellas.