The Dallas Cowboys were officially eliminated from playoff contention prior to their kick-off on Sunday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that still has a lot to play for. But despite what has undoubtedly been one of the most disappointing seasons in recent Cowboy history, Dallas has been playing better lately, winning four of its last five after beating Tampa Bay on Sunday.
All this despite the loss of quarterback Dak Prescott for the season and the absence of several other key star players for the entire 2024 season. It’s been treacherous especially for Mike McCarthy, as he has fielded questions about his job status since the start of the season.
Although Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones stood next to McCarthy, who is in the final year of his contract, even they understood the implications of a season of failed expectations. It seemed unlikely that McCarthy would return – until Sunday evening.
Dallas won in exciting fashion thanks to the work of their secondary, allowing Baker Mayfield to pass undermanned to 300 yards. Cris Collinsworth specifically praised Jourdan Lewis and the Dallas DBs after the next play on Jalen McMillan.
“TAGGED AWAY BY THE COWBOYS… INCREDIBLE!” -Mike Tirico
“I’VE NEVER SEEN A GAME LIKE THIS IN MY ENTIRE LIFE… Mike, this might be one of the best games out of a secondary I’ve ever seen… Absolutely incredible.” – Cris Collinsworth #NFL #SNF pic.twitter.com/X8qb0PhZsQ
— Terrible announcement (@awfulannouncing) December 23, 2024
“Mike, this might be one of the best games out of a secondary I’ve ever seen. These guys, the way they hit, the way they played past the defense, the way they got the ball out. Absolutely incredible. And I don’t know who all we give match balls to, but you can give it to three defenders and I would be perfectly happy tonight,” Collinsworth said after the match.
As for what this has to do with McCarthy, Jerry Jones was equally impressed, going out of his way to compliment the Cowboys head coach after the game.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones with high praise for Mike McCarthy after tonight’s win. He went out of his way to give credit to the Cowboys head coach while answering several questions pic.twitter.com/sASH6FzN0S
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 23, 2024
Whether that will be enough to keep McCarthy in Dallas beyond this season remains to be seen, but Jones often cherishes his emotions. If he was uncertain about McCarthy’s future, it would be evident in his interviews and radio spots. On the contrary, Jones has done little other than praise McCarthy and the team’s efforts in what can only be described as dire circumstances.
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