In NFL Week 16 on Christmas Eve, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Dallas Cowboys 22–20 thanks to a last-second field goal by Jason Sanders. This result left some onlookers thinking, “It’s Always Something!” regarding “America’s Team.”
And coach Mike McCarthy gets that.
“It’s those big mistakes,” McCarthy said, “that you can’t make in these kind of games.”
Furthermore, why not? Since the outcome of “these kinds of games” versus strong teams depends on who doesn’t make a mistake, the score threatens to be tight.
The Cowboys ultimately lost by a close margin as a result of multiple mistakes, thus it was once again a test they failed on the road. Dallas lost out on a possible seven scores during the first 17-play drive due to a clumsy exchange between Dak Prescott and Hunter Luepke.
Then, in an already difficult game, the timing of expensive penalties (such as Damone Clark’s face-mask penalty on the game’s last drive) on both sides of the ball made things harder.
McCarthy is still attempting to extract some benefits from Miami, though.
He declared, “I think we definitely have the grit, the battle, and the resilience that you’re looking for.” However, we need to do better than we did. On the road, you have to perform above it.
“Road warriors we will be.”
Sounds excellent. However, there is a persistent perception that “it’s always something” gets in the way of the Cowboys’ attempts to win when they play away from home.
Self-inflicted injuries have emerged often, particularly in the previous two weeks.
The so-called “Texas Coast Offense” has faltered and stumbled. And although the defense managed to slightly right the ship against the Dolphins after being plowed over by Buffalo, they were unable to make the final, vital stop.
However, once more, the Cowboys were left regretting a number of mistakes at pivotal moments in the contest, which finally resulted in a loss at Hard Rock Stadium.
McCarthy emphasized that the squad will be “road warriors” if necessary to make it to the postseason, but the Cowboys haven’t exactly played like warriors on the road this season.
To ensure that they don’t limp into the playoffs, the Cowboys, who have two games remaining in the regular season, will want to make amends at home against the Detroit Lions on Saturday and then vent their frustrations on the road against the Washington Commanders.
