Jerry Jones says what no Cowboys fan wants to hear after loss
Owner Jerry Jones made every Dallas Cowboys fans’ night worse after their Divisional Round loss — he’s sticking by head coach Mike McCarthy.
The Dallas Cowboys hoped that this was the season that they would finally make it to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 1995 campaign. Once again, their dreams did not become fulfilled, as owner Jerry Jones pursuit of his fourth Super Bowl title will be extended by another year.
On Sunday, the Cowboys were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers 19-12 in the Divisional Round. With a win, Dallas would have clinched a berth in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Instead, the offense had no answers for San Francisco’s defense, and Mike McCarthy’s play-calling and clock management once again reared their ugly heads.
Cowboys fans were fed up with McCarthy after another coaching performance against the 49ers forced them to pack their bags and go home for the second consecutive year. After the game, Jones was asked if the loss had any impact on McCarthy’s job status. Jones made the Cowboys faithful feel even worse — he said he’s still sticking with McCarthy as head coach.
Jerry Jones still sticking with Mike McCarthy as head coach
“No, not at all,” said Jones. “Their decision for our kicker was exonerated with his field goal, in my mind, and I’m proud for him. But this is very sickening to not win tonight.”
One of the big stories entering the game was what McCarthy would do with kicker Brett Maher, who missed four extra points in their Wild Card Round game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Maher even had a rough time in warmups on Sunday, and Jones talked to him to calm him down. O the night, Maher did miss an extra point attempt, but that was because it was blocked. Other than that, he was perfect on both field goal attempts in the game (25-yards, 43-yards).
The Cowboys had difficulty putting up points against the 49ers’ defense. They put up just 282 yards, and Prescott threw two interceptions. Pair that with a fourth quarter touchdown drive set up by the 49ers set up by an impressive bobbled catch by tight end George Kittle, and it decreased the Cowboys’ chances to win. Not to mention a disastrous final hook and ladder play in the closing seconds that officially clinched the “L” for Dallas.
Under McCarthy, the Cowboys are now 30-20 in the regular-season and 1-2 in the playoffs. Both playoff losses come at the hands of the 49ers.
While Jones is sticking by McCarthy, it is noticeable that he said the loss was “sickening.” Now, we wait and see what Jones and the Cowboys do to improve their chances of winning a Super Bowl next season.
