With two preseason games in the books, the roster squeeze is now as real as it's ever been.
The Dallas Cowboys secured a 34-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Field in their second preseason game on Saturday night, as the position battles we were watching - at least four of them - accelerated into headline-making status.
They are ...
The backup quarterback position with Joe Milton and Sam Howell;
Jaydon Blue and the backup running back spot;
Jonathan Mingo and Camden Brown's battle for WR5;
And Jaishawn Barham in our first look at No. 55 this preseason.
A look inside ...
1 - QB2: Milton got the start as the Cowboys swapped the plan from a week ago, and, it sure seems Joe is a much-improved player from last year.
He played with poise and confidence, changed plays at the line, delivered throws on time, and didn't make any mistakes. Milton would finish his night going 9 of 13 for 179 yards and a touchdown, while also scoring a rushing touchdown to cap off the half.
Joe made a big statement here, even as coach Brian Schottenheimer is hitting the brakes by saying the competition with Sam Howell is "far from over.''
Howell led a 12-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a Brandon Aubrey field goal, and then another 12-play, 68-yard drive that ended in an end-zone interception as he was targeting Anthony Smith.
Still, that was his only mistake of the night, finishing his night going 7 of 10 for 65 yards and that interceptions.
2 - EXTRA WR: Mingo had himself a superb half, catching two of his three targets for 62 yards, which included a 53-yard touchdown grab, as he boosted his case to make the roster.
Not to be outdone, Camden Brown, who stole the show in Seattle lasr week with his two TDs, was back at it again, connecting with Milton for a 70-yard reception to end towards the end of the half as he broke loose in the secondary. Brown finished his night with two catches for 77 yards.
So yeah, that receiver battle is going down to the wire.
3 - BACKUP RB: Now the running backs.
Davis got the start, and he was on fire to start, rushing for 29 yards on five carries before his night was done, likely as RB2.
But Jaydon Blue didn't give up the fight, as some surprising physicality was on show in his runs, rushing for 45 yards on nine carries (5.0 per run) in the first half. And that continued into the second half, with Blue picking up tough yards between the tackles, always falling forward.
Jaydon finished with 75 yards on 15 carries.
Mafah, who didn't see the field until the fourth quarter, played with an injury but had a nice 14-yard TD run, as he had to go all the way around his line before making his way into the end zone.
4 - ROOKIE'S TURN: And lastly is Barham, who got a TFL on just his second snap in an NFL uniform.
A heat-seeking missile from his linebacker spot, Barham, who also wore the green dot, was a menace, consistently creating pressure and getting to the quarterback.
Dallas might have found one here. ... even though veteran Dee Winters will be listed ahead of him on the depth chart.
That first half was great for the Cowboys' backups, and each made their case to the coaching staff that they should be taken seriously.
Onto the final preseason game we go. with final decisions to be made along with it.
