The Dallas Cowboys are currently 3-7 after a humiliating blowout loss to the Houston Texans on Monday night. With only the 2-8 New York Giants below them in the NFC standings, the Cowboys are tied for 14th place. Though a seven-game winning streak to end the 2024 season could theoretically keep their playoff hopes alive, such a scenario seems highly unlikely. Their chances of making the postseason are slim, with NFL.com giving them the second-worst odds in the conference. A win over the Commanders this Sunday would barely push their odds to 4%, while a loss would virtually eliminate any hope.
Despite the bleak outlook, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy remains focused on winning. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, McCarthy is determined to salvage his reputation and potentially secure another job. Although Dallas might benefit from losing to improve their draft position, McCarthy’s priority is to win games and prove himself, as he will not be with the Cowboys in April. This desire to finish strong suggests he will continue to push hard for victories, regardless of the long-term implications for the team.
With starting quarterback Dak Prescott sidelined for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury, McCarthy has decided to stick with veteran Cooper Rush as the starting QB. Despite calls for the team to give untested quarterback Trey Lance a shot, McCarthy has opted for the more experienced Rush. Lance, the former No. 3 overall pick in 2021, was acquired by Dallas before the 2023 season in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick, but has only seen limited action in two seasons with the team, including just one garbage-time appearance.
McCarthy confirmed the decision to start Rush for the upcoming game against the Commanders, while also noting that there would be a package for Lance. The Cowboys have struggled to find consistency at quarterback this season, and McCarthy’s decision reflects the team’s desperation to win now, rather than experiment with a quarterback who hasn’t seen significant playing time. The focus is on getting the most out of the current roster, even if that means sticking with a familiar but less talented option in Rush.
In an emotional address to reporters, McCarthy emphasized the urgency of the situation. With the Cowboys already carrying seven losses, he knows the team must fight hard to stay alive in the playoff race. McCarthy rallied the team, stressing that they must claw their way to victories and do whatever it takes to secure wins in the coming weeks. He acknowledged that the young players are gaining valuable experience but insisted that the team must focus on winning at all costs.
McCarthy’s message was clear: the Cowboys “deserve to win” and must do everything they can to put themselves in a position to succeed. While the team’s playoff chances appear slim, McCarthy’s commitment to winning is evident. He remains focused on putting the best players on the field, even if that means making tough decisions, such as sticking with Cooper Rush and continuing to give Lance only limited opportunities. The Cowboys’ future remains uncertain, but McCarthy is determined to finish the season strong and salvage whatever he can from this difficult campaign.
