Zach BacharContributor | December 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.
That said…McCarthy deserves smoke for how he managed the final drive
Late bad coaching from Campbell saved late bad coaching from McCarthy.
This game should be over right now- cowboys coaching decisions are atrocious. Clock management malpractice.
The Decker penalty conversation is now going to trump the McCarthy clock management conversation.
Completely agree, it’s inexcusable that they threw the ball on their last offensive drive. https://t.co/JIGJdoQwTb
Mike McCarthy making bad clock management decisions in the 4th quarter: pic.twitter.com/yFOD8OtDr4
whew 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
Mike McCarthy clock management? Again!
Vintage Mike McCarthy clock management 🤦🏾♂️ should be closer to a minute left
Why 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.
Mike McCarthy is gonna have to answer some big time questions about his clock management….really want to know what he was thinking. They got lucky to get out of here with a win
The Cowboys should have won this game with ease but Mike McCarthy’s clock management skills did not report as eligible.
That was less than stellar clock management by Mike McCarthy
Awful clock management by Mike McCarthy.
Ball should’ve been handed off 3 times
Dak Prescott threw for 345 yards,
