Mike McCarthy’s job security has been a topic of concern throughout the season, but recent missteps have put the entire Dallas Cowboys coaching staff under scrutiny.
Mike McCarthy isn’t the only coach who should be concerned about his job after the latest comedy of errors from the Cowboy.A particularly chaotic third quarter against the Falcons showcased a series of blunders that highlighted the team’s struggles. After a promising 10-yard run from Rico Dowdle, a false start penalty by Terence Steele derailed the drive, leaving the Cowboys facing a critical 4th-and-2, ultimately resulting in a punt.
Instead of punting, the Cowboys attempted a fake with punter Bryan Anger, but the pass fell incomplete, giving Atlanta excellent field position at the Dallas 38-yard line. Special teams coach John Fassel, who has had success in the past, saw his unit falter again, except for kicker Brandon Aubrey. This mistake set up a swift touchdown drive for the Falcons, culminating in an 11-yard reception by Ray-Ray McCloud, who found himself wide open due to defensive lapses.
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s unit struggled with pre-snap motion, exposing their inability to adapt to the Falcons’ offensive schemes. McCarthy’s offensive decisions were equally questionable. Following a completion from Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys faced a manageable 4th-and-inches but were unable to convert after being penalized for having 12 men in the huddle, resulting in another punt.
Earlier in the game, McCarthy had also erred on a 4th-and-short situation by opting for a receiver reverse with Lamb instead of using Dak Prescott or one of the running backs, which further illustrated the team’s lack of discipline and preparedness. These repeated mistakes raise serious concerns about the coaching staff’s effectiveness.
As the Cowboys risk falling to a disappointing 3-5 record, the pressure on Jerry Jones to make changes will intensify. If the coaching staff continues to contribute to the team’s struggles, their job security will be increasingly jeopardized
