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Alas, the 2019 season for the Cowboys has mercifully come to an end. It was a season that had its share of highs, lows and one horrible loss to the New York Jets. In grand Cowboys fashion, the season ended with a meaningless win over a terrible Washington Redskins team. They finished their season with an 8-8 record. This is befitting for what could be the final game for Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett. We hope.
The Good:
- This was one of the more impressive wins for the Dallas Cowboys this season. Although it was an empty win, the offense played great and the best player on Sunday was wide receiver Michael Gallup. The final game of his 2019 season was a great one that included 98 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He looked like a No. 1 receiver Sunday afternoon and that could come into play with Amari Cooper 's uncertain future with the Cowboys. (More on that in the ugly section)
- Kai Forbath has done a great job since joining the Cowboys. He has made every single field goal and the extra point he has attempted during his brief tenure for his new team. The Cowboys did a great job replacing the wildly inconsistent Brett Maher and could have their kicker for the future. Why it took so long to replace Maher is beyond me, but Forbath has reinvigorated his career with The Cowboys.
- The 2019 MVP for the Cowboys has to be Ezekiel Elliott. He had a great season rushing for over 1300 yards (the third time in 4 years in which he rushed for over 1000 yards) and was 4th in the league in rushing this season. When his game was on this season, no one could stop Elliott. His last game against the Redskins was his second-best performance of the season behind his stellar Monday night game against the Giants. After all of the controversy he caused this offseason, he has more than lived up to his contract. He will continue to be the Cowboys superstar running back for many years to come.
The Bad:
- It was difficult to decide what to put in this category. The bad for me was that the season finale was basically meaningless. As previously mentioned, they put up an impressive offensive performance against the abysmal Redskins. However their offensive explosion proved to be all for nothing. Their victory was short lived, for the Eagles beat the Giants to win the NFC East. This was a team that was expected to do well this season, but unfortunately disappointed all of us every step of the way. There is too much talent on this team to miss the playoffs and finish 8-8. Changes will be coming sooner rather than later this offseason.
- Speaking of disappointments, let's talk about Dak Prescott's 2019 season. On paper, he had a tremendous year throwing of over 4000 yards ( a career-high). His numbers were great, but his performance on the field was mediocre, to say the least. His performance Sunday was another example of how he can only put up superior numbers against a subpar team. Coming into this season, he was looking to receive a contract extension north of 30 million a year. After this season, he will be lucky if he even gets the franchise tag.
- Overall, this game wasn't bad and I couldn't think of much else to put in this category. I would simply be reiterating the same point about their season being a loss, so im going to save that for a future article.
The Ugly
- This really isn't ugly but bittersweet. This could be the final game for multiple Cowboys players. As previously mentioned next season Dak Prescott will be a free agent along with Amari Cooper. I do believe one of these players will find employment elsewhere this offseason, with Cooper being the more likely person to leave via free agency. Jason Witten could also leave this season as he has contemplated retirement again. The theory is he could go into coaching and maybe be the next Cowboys' head coach. But that is a story we can save for the offseason.
- Jason Garrett, all I have to say is good luck to you and your future employment elsewhere. After 10 years of coaching the Dallas Cowboys, it is time to move on and look for someone else to man the helm in 2020. He did not do a bad job during his tenure for he is finishing with a coaching record above .500 and is the seconding winningest coach in Cowboys' history. But the problem with Garrett is that he could never get them over the hump. Three playoff wins in 10 years is not goos and the Cowboys need a confident coach with playoff experience. It is time for both parties to move on and Sunday's victory against the Redskins would be a nice way to end his Cowboys' coaching career.
- This team has Super Bowl aspirations and talent as far as the eye could see. To end the season the way they did with an 8-8 record is unacceptable. 2020 will be a bounce-back year for the Cowboys, and I look forward to seeing what moves can be made this offseason.
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Jose Altuve will hit leadoff for Houston in the opener against Baltimore. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images.
The Houston Astros return to Daikin Park on Friday night looking to protect their lead in the AL West and build momentum as the calendar edges deeper into August. They’ll open a three-game weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles — a matchup that, on paper, tilts heavily in Houston’s favor.
Framber Valdez takes the mound for the Astros in the opener, bringing an 11-5 record, 2.97 ERA, and a 1.16 WHIP into his 24th start of the season. The left-hander has been a reliable anchor for Houston’s rotation all year, capable of handling both high-leverage situations and deep outings, and he’ll be tasked with quieting a Baltimore lineup that’s been ice cold of late.
The Orioles counter with right-hander Brandon Young, still searching for his first win in the majors. Young has endured a rough debut season, going 0-6 with a 6.70 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. Baltimore will need him to find some early rhythm to have a chance, particularly against a Houston offense that has begun to heat up.
Carlos Correa has been Houston’s hottest bat over the past 10 games, going 16-for-40 with two home runs and seven RBIs. The Orioles’ top offensive threat remains catcher Adley Rutschman, who has nine homers and 27 RBIs, while infielder Jordan Westburg has added some pop with two homers in his last 10 games.
Baltimore has dropped six of its last 10 games, batting just .184 over that span and being outscored by 19 runs. Houston, by contrast, has gone 6-4 in its last 10, scoring enough to outpace opponents despite a 4.50 team ERA during that stretch.
This marks the first meeting between the Astros and Orioles this season. With 37 wins already at home and 14 of their next 17 games coming against teams with losing records, Houston sees this series as a prime opportunity to add wins and tighten its grip on a playoff bye — while keeping the pressure squarely on the AL West chase.
Starting lineup
Right away, you'll notice Jeremy Pena (illness) is out.
Jeremy Peña is under the weather, Joe Espada said. He reported to the ballpark today but is now seeing team doctors to see what’s wrong. https://t.co/zmYY45fLXk
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 15, 2025
Altuve will DH and hit leadoff, with Correa hitting second (3B), and Jesus Sanchez batting third (LF).
For The Players.
⚾️: 7:10pm
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN | SCHN2
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3. FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/YsFmC7xhIC
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 15, 2025
Christian Walker will hit cleanup and play first base, followed by Yainer Diaz (C), Ramon Urias (2B), Taylor Trammell (CF), Mauricio Dubon (SS), and Cam Smith (RF).
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