Mike McCarthy’s Playcalling Bashed by Fans in Dak Prescott, Cowboys’ Win vs. Lions
zach bacharContributor IDecember 31, 2023
Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images
Mike McCarthy’s decision-making came under fire during the fourth quarter of the Dallas Cowboys’ narrow 20-19 win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday.
With the Cowboys at Detroit’s 33-yard line and just under two minutes remaining in the game while holding onto a 17-13 lead, Dallas attempted three consecutive passes instead of running the ball. One throw fell incomplete, allowing the Lions to save a timeout to use on the ensuing drive.
Detroit marched down the field and scored a touchdown with only 23 seconds remaining, although head coach Dan Campbell decided to attempt a two-point conversion for the win instead of kicking an extra point for the tie. Despite picking up a penalty on the Lions’ first try which backed the team up, Campbell went for two again which resulted in a pass from Jared Goff falling incomplete.
NFL fans were perplexed by McCarthy’s clock management, giving Detroit enough time to nearly steal a victory.
Mina Kimes @minakimesThat saidā¦McCarthy deserves smoke for how he managed the final drive
Andrew Brandt @AndrewBrandtLate bad coaching from Campbell saved late bad coaching from McCarthy.
Randy Mueller @RandyMueller_This game should be over right now- cowboys coaching decisions are atrocious. Clock management malpractice.
Ross Tucker @RossTuckerNFLThe Decker penalty conversation is now going to trump the McCarthy clock management conversation.
Mike Tannenbaum @RealTannenbaumCompletely agree, it’s inexcusable that they threw the ball on their last offensive drive. https://t.co/JIGJdoQwTb
Cameron Magruder @ScooterMagruderMike McCarthy making bad clock management decisions in the 4th quarter: pic.twitter.com/yFOD8OtDr4
Warren Sharp @SharpFootballwhew the full Mike McCarthy experience
he stupidly ran the ball with RBs on 1st down all night long
12 RB rushes for 20 yards
1.7 YPC
and then when all he needed to do was run out the clock…
he did nothing but call passes
and it nearly lost him the game
untrustworthy
Ryan Clark @Realrclark25Mike McCarthy clock management? Again!
Damien Woody @damienwoodyVintage Mike McCarthy clock management š¤¦š¾āāļø should be closer to a minute left
Brett Kollmann @BrettKollmannWhy is it that Mike McCarthy is clearly able to grow and develop as an offensive coach and play caller…but when it comes to clock management and situational calls, his brain just straight up breaks inside the four minute mark.
I just don’t get it.
Chase Daniel @ChaseDanielMike McCarthy is gonna have to answer some big time questions about his clock managementā¦.really want to know what he was thinking. They got lucky to get out of here with a win
Robert Behrens @rcb05The Cowboys should have won this game with ease but Mike McCarthy’s clock management skills did not report as eligible.
trey wingo @wingozThat was less than stellar clock management by Mike McCarthy
(Foots The King) @FootsDaKingAwful clock management by Mike McCarthy.
Ball should’ve been handed off 3 times
Dak Prescott threw for 345 yards, his third-highest total of the season. He also completed just over 68 percent of his passes, recording two touchdowns and one interception. With the Cowboys trailing by three points early in the fourth quarter, Prescott led a 75-yard scoring drive to give Dallas a 17-13 lead.
Ryan Clark @Realrclark25Dak is elite right now!
NFL @NFLUNREAL 92-YARD TD š±š±š±
šŗ: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
š±: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/uVK0ixWWZo
Hail State Stool @HailStateStoolANOTHER DAK PRESCOTT MASTERCLASS
āļø 26/38
āļø345 YARDS
āļø2 TD
āļøWIN pic.twitter.com/0caaCQTHUe
Shan Shariff @1053SSDak is balling on this drive
The Cowboys moved to a perfect 8-0 at home this season, with an overall record of 11-5. Although they’ve already clinched a playoff berth, they stayed alive in the NFC East race with Saturday night’s victory.
Really