ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys suffered their worst postseason loss in recent history on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
The final score of 48-32 doesn’t fully reflect the nightmare of a game for the Cowboys, who got completely shut down and embarrassed for the majority of 60 minutes.
Although the team finished the regular season 12-5, regular-season wins aren’t enough anymore.
After the game, players and personnel were in a state of shock, not understanding how such a promising playoff run could be cut short so quickly.
“Number one, we’re very disappointed. I don’t think anybody saw this coming,” said Mike McCarthy after the game, adding, “You got to give Green Bay credit. They came in here hot… they executed, and we didn’t. So, we didn’t get it done in any of the phases. We’re hurting, we’re disappointed, every man.”
So how can the Cowboys use the disappointment to fuel change for years to avoid this feeling again?
Dallas Cowboys 2024 Offseason To-Do List
Coaching Changes Are Needed
The first question that came to mind following the loss was McCarthy’s job security — or lack thereof.
But as the old quote goes, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”
Expecting a different outcome with the same coaching staff isn’t enough anymore.
Jerry Jones needs to evaluate reoccurring issues plaguing the Cowboys in the postseason.
It’s unknown whether Jones’ frustrations will make him completely clean house, but changes are needed.
McCarthy, Dan Quinn, and John Fassel have all been at the core of the team’s losses in the playoffs for the last two years.
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But with the Cowboys’ defense allowing the Packers to score 48 points at home without generating turnovers, the coaching changes should come on the defensive side of the ball first.
Although Quinn’s name has been mentioned in head coaching conversations, it’s tough to say he would remain with the Cowboys if that weren’t the case.
Keep Mike McCarthy Calling Plays
Firing McCarthy would ultimately be counterproductive despite the Cowboys’ front office needing to reevaluate the coaching staff.
With McCarthy’s playcalling serving as a career-changing factor for Dak Prescott this season, it’s difficult to say changing the voice in the talented quarterback’s helmet would be for the best.
The grass isn’t always greener, and for an older quarterback who found a revitalization in his play and had an MVP-caliber season with McCarthy’s playcalling, discounting that would be foolish.
Maybe a demotion would be in the cards for McCarthy with a “last chance” mindset in the 2024 season.
But expecting Prescott to be set up for success undergoing yet another play-caller in 2024 would be unrealistic.
After the game, Prescott credited how much McCarthy’s play-calling has done for him this season, saying, “He’s been amazing. I don’t know how they can be, but I understand the business. In that case, it should be about me as well. I’ve had the season that I’ve had because of him. This team has had the success that they’ve had because of him.”
Keep Options Open for Starting Positions
But there is a lot of blame to go around in this loss, and the coaches aren’t the only ones to take it. Prescott has blame in this as well.
He had one of his worst performances since last year’s playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
With the quarterback going into his ninth season in 2024, it’s hard not to start questioning if he can get the job done in the postseason.
He now sports a 2-5 playoff record, and contract extension negotiations will start again this offseason.
Although there isn’t an immediate solution for the team to lean back on, it should be something they start to look at, with Prescott’s track record and age becoming a factor.
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