‘Just Dynamite All Night’: Brian Schottenheimer Compares Cowboys’ Offensive Line To His Best New York Jets Units

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer compared his offensive line Tuesday to the New York Jets lines he coached under Rex Ryan, a day after Dallas ran 38 times for 204 yards in a 38-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Schottenheimer was the Jets’ offensive coordinator from 2006 to 2011, and Ryan was the head coach for the last three of those seasons.

At Lincoln Financial Field, the Cowboys finished with a season-high 416 yards. Javonte Williams ran 25 times for a career-high 155 yards. Dak Prescott went 15-of-27 for 212 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Dallas entered Monday averaging 20.9 carries and 76 rushing yards per game, according to the team. The play style is what Schottenheimer took away from the night on offense.

“I think it was important. I think it was big. I think what we take away from that offensively is the play style. I thought the offensive line was just dynamite all night,” Schottenheimer said. “I thought the way they blocked the running game was great. The pass protection was awesome.”

Brian Schottenheimer Sees His Old New York Jets Line In This Group

Dallas ran for 204 yards against a Philadelphia front coached by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and defensive line coach Clint Hurtt. From the play-calling side, Schottenheimer said, he could see the forward progress on the runs.

“I think the energy is real. You feel it,” Schottenheimer explained. “Like I said, when you’re calling runs and you’re watching the line of scrimmage, you could see the forward progress that we were making. We were controlling the line of scrimmage. We were knocking them back. And as a play caller, it’s a lot easier to call those plays when you see that.”

“Reminds me a lot of the offensive lines. We’ve had some really good offensive lines in my career. Maybe one of the best was the Jets years that we were really, really good under Rex,” Schottenheimer continued. “And D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, Brandon Moore, Damien Woody. And there’s some things that remind me of that group.”

Physicality is part of the comparison, and so is personality. Schottenheimer pointed to right tackle Terence Steele and left tackle Tyler Guyton as examples of the group’s makeup.

“Physicality, the way these guys can move people, the way they can use combination blocks and really just win the line of scrimmage and get vertical push and create seams in the running game, but also the makeup,” Schottenheimer said. “I think the makeup of these guys is unique in a good way, from Terence’s personality to Guyton’s personality. They’re all wired a little bit different, but man, they love playing football together.”

Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, And Tyler Booker Anchor The Line

Guyton, the 29th overall pick in 2024, committed a team-high 18 penalties as a rookie, according to The Dallas Morning News. Schottenheimer said Tuesday that Guyton’s demeanor on the field has changed this season.

“It actually has. I think you see a guy, I’ll use the word focused, and playing one play at a time. This is a guy that [is] playing with tremendous confidence, but like literally you see a guy that’s bought into the mantra of one play at a time,” Schottenheimer said. “[Do] the play to the best of your ability, [then] move on. And we actually don’t talk about him a lot because he’s playing really, really well, and playing at one of the elite levels in the league, in my opinion.”

Guyton finishes plays more than he used to, according to Schottenheimer, who credited offensive line coach Conor Riley and offensive coordinator Klayton Adams with the fundamentals.

“I think he’s always been wired that way, but I do think that now he’s playing with so much confidence, finishing even more. He’s in a really good spot mentally with his fundamentals,” Schottenheimer said. “You talk about a guy that’s really accepted the coaching from Conor Riley and [Klayton Adams] in terms of the fundamentals. It’s cool to see how much better it’s gotten.”

Left guard Tyler Smith missed a couple of weeks earlier this season. He looked more comfortable Monday, Schottenheimer said, against a front Schottenheimer had plenty of respect for.

“Finally, I think you see Tyler’s much more comfortable playing football. He missed those couple weeks, but, yes, I thought he played really well along with the rest of the line,” Schottenheimer said. “I mean, it’s a good front. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with their defense. Their defense is an outstanding group. A ton of respect for them and Vic and the way they play. Clint Hurtt, the defensive line coach, is outstanding. But, again, I’m very proud of our ability to own the line of scrimmage with the way we ran the ball, but also the way we protected Dak.”

Dallas drafted Tyler Booker 12th overall in 2025 out of Alabama. The guard had a great week of practice before facing Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who played at Georgia, according to Schottenheimer.

“He had a great week of practice,” Schottenheimer said. “I think there’s an SEC rivalry there between those guys. And I think they enjoy playing against one another.”

The blocking went beyond the line. Schottenheimer singled out fullback Hunter Luepke and tight end Jake Ferguson.

“I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the way the tight ends and Hunter Luepke, including Jake Ferguson, blocked last night. There were some incredible efforts and finishes that jumped off the tape,” Schottenheimer said.

Dallas also used tackle Broderick Jones as an extra blocker, at times lined up outside the tight end. Jones has earned the playing time, Schottenheimer said.

“A little of both, but I think he’s earned the right to play some. And it’s always good to have those guys that have that size,” Schottenheimer said. “And you guys have never seen him run routes, but he really runs good routes.”

Dallas can be a run-first team even with Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens, Schottenheimer said, pointing to what the offense did Monday with 27 passes.

“Yeah, because you see what we can do when we throw it 27 times. Each week is different. Javonte Williams is a hell of a football player. The offensive line, there’s a ton of resources invested in the offensive line,” Schottenheimer said.

Dallas hosts the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon CT on FOX.