Cowboys' Brian Schottenheimer Evaluates QB Competition After Seahawks Win

The backup quarterback position was a big focus as the Dallas Cowboys faced the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, and in a Saturday night preseason 17-7 win, both Sam Howell and Joe Milton played well.

Howell got the start, and didn't make any mistakes, got the ball out quickly and on time for the most part, and when a throw was there to be made, he made it.

The 39-yard touchdown pass to Camden Brown was a thing of beauty just before halftime, as Howell showed why he is up to his eyeballs in the backup battle.

He also used his legs as a weapon as well, picking up 15 yards on two carries.

It was then Milton's turn, and he looked like a completely different player than the one we saw last preseason.

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Milton was confident, showed touch on his passes, used his legs, and looked calm and collected, leading the offense.

His pass to Brown for a touchdown was a nice throw as well, as his receiver needed just one hand to haul it in.

Milton would finish his day going 12-of-15 for 107 yards and a touchdown, with a 118.6 rating, while Howell's day ended with him finishing with 8-of-12 for 94 yards and a touchdown.

And speaking post-game, coach Brian Schottenheimer liked what he saw from the quarterbacks.

"They were both tasked with going out there and dealing with heavy pressure, a Mike Macdonald, Aden Durde defense that is going to be a heavy-pressure team," Schottenheimer said. 

"They brought a bunch of things against us, not that we weren't prepared for, we didn't handle very well. But they just hung in there, made some throws when they had to make them. They're both very efficient, and that's what we want.

"We evaluate quarterbacks by a couple of things. One, moving the team, scoring points, and two, protecting the football. Thought both those guys did that."

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So, the needle hasn't moved one way or the other, it seems, in the race to be Dak's backup, but for me, Milton shaded it in Seattle.

He was calm and confident, and he ran the offense as you would expect. Oh, and there weren't the five-yard passes that could burst through a cement wall either, with Milton hitting Anthony Smith and Brown on crossing routes, showing off his touch.

Both showed why they could easily be the backup quarterback, but with Milton's physical tools, I'd have him slightly ahead based on what we saw against the Seahawks.

Granted, there is still a joint practice and two preseason games left, but after Seattle, Joe might be ahead ... but only just.