You couldn’t have scripted a better way for the Dallas Cowboys to end their five-game losing streak than a thrilling win over Dan Quinn and the Commanders. Sure, beating the Eagles would have tasted even sweeter, but let’s not run before we can walk.
As great as it was to get back in the win column, it shouldn’t paper over the fact that the franchise needs a complete reset after the season.
That includes at head coach, but Jerry Jones on Tuesday teased a potential extension for Mike McCarthy on 105.3 The Fan. Jones referred to McCarthy as a “Super Bowl-winning head coach” but Dallas hasn’t sniffed a Lombardi Trophy since McCarthy took over in 2020.
That is why Bill Belichick, who has won six Super Bowls, is circled as the favorite to take over if McCarthy isn’t brought back. Multiple insiders have talked to sources within the league who believe Belichick to Dallas is a foregone conclusion.
If that comes to fruition, it may not be the home run hire it’s being made out to be.
Bill Belichick quietly had awful audition for Cowboys head coaching job during MNF
Appearing as a guest on ESPN’s ManningCast during Monday night’s game between the Ravens and Chargers, Belichick gave an alarming assessment when Los Angeles was faced with a fourth down in plus territory.
It was a 4th-and-1 on the 30-yard line and Belichick wanted Jim Harbaugh to kick a field goal (!) to take a 10-lead.
While the Chargers have a budding young kicker in Cameron Dicker, they also have a strong offensive line and a 6-1, 238-pound bruiser at running back in Gus Edwards. On top of that, Justin Herbert and the offense had move the ball at will against the Ravens’ leaky defense.
Regardless, in that situation the analytics say to go for it 10 times out of 10. Sure enough, the Chargers called Edwards’ number and moved the chains. The drive stalled out three plays later and LA kicked a field goal anyway, but Harbaugh absolutely made the right call to go for it.
It didn’t result in a touchdown, but coaches should always chase points in that situation. The Ravens had struggled to move the ball up until that point. They gained five yards on eight plays and punted twice.
Going for it on fourth down is a big reason why Baltimore won the game. They went for it three times and converted each attempt, including a gutsy 4th-and-1 from their own 16-yard line. They went on to score two touchdowns because of their conversions. They won by seven points.
That isn’t to say punting is never the right call, but it was painfully obvious that Harbaugh should’ve kept his offense on the field.
That Belichick wanted to kick a FG should terrify Cowboys fans of what is potentially to come if he replaces Mike McCarthy at the helm.
