The Dallas Cowboys outlasted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night to win their second home game of the season at AT&T Stadium. The 26-24 victory over the Buccaneers improved the Cowboys record to 7-8 on the season.
Unfortunately for Dallas, the team was officially eliminated from having any probability to make the playoffs earlier in the afternoon.
Mike McCarthy was on the hot seat
Before the season, it was expected that head coach Mike McCarthy, in the final year of his contract, would have to make a deep playoff run to earn a contract extension from Jerry Jones. However, injuries to Micah Parsons and Dak Prescott derailed Dallas in the early season.
But the Cowboys have continued to battle despite losing Prescott for the season to an injury that happened during their 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 3. Following blowouts to the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans, Dallas has four of their last five games, their only loss coming to a 27-20 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 9.
The winning streak might have saved McCarthy’s job.
The Dallas Cowboys like what McCarthy’s staff has done
Per Ed Werder with WFAA, Jones said after Sunday night’s win that he’s proud that McCarthy’s staff has gotten their players to play in recent weeks.
“Those guys came out and played as though they were fighting in the championship game to go to the Super Bowl. So, I can’t tell you how proud I am of them and the coaching staff. It really shows me something,” Jones said.
Jerry Jones on Mike McCarthy and effort of Cowboys players: “Those guys came out and played as though they were fighting in the championship game to go to the Super Bowl. So, I can't tell you how proud I am of them and the coaching staff. It really shows me something.” pic.twitter.com/kkHE45lzcU
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) December 23, 2024
McCarthy has two more games to prove he belongs on the Cowboys sideline in 2025. Dallas will travel to play the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 before hosting the Washington Commanders to end the season on Jan. 5.
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