Mike McCarthy admits to boneheaded Trey Lance mistake after Cowboys loss

It's probably time to stop asking if the 2024 season can get worse for the Dallas Cowboys. While they were competitive into the second half against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football, the wheels came off in the fourth quarter.

Cooper Rush had another poor game under center, but Mike McCarthy is once again public enemy No. 1 in Dallas. While the Cowboys are still playing for McCarthy, he oversaw another blowout loss at home and proved with his horrid game management that this should be his final season.

McCarthy decided to take a 64-yard field goal from Brandon Aubrey off the board after the Texans were flagged for a head-slap penalty. The kick would have brought Dallas within seven points in the third quarter and the offense went on to turn the ball over on downs after a failed fourth down deep in the red zone.

It was obvious to everyone that McCarthy should have taken the points - just like it was obvious that he should've pulled Rush for Trey Lance in the second half.

Cowboys' Mike McCarthy admits he should've played Trey Lance in Week 11

"The one thing I should've did at the end and I didn't do is put Trey in there," McCarthy said. "Could've gotten him a series. That's one thing I could second guess myself on."

What we are not gonna do is give McCarthy props for recognizing his mistake. He essentially admitted to not thinking ahead of the Cowboys' last couple offensive possessions That is indefensible for a head coach, regardless of the discrepancy on the scoreboard. It's more proof that Dallas is often outmatched in the coaching department.

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It would have been tough on Lance to take over as things snowballed, but Rush should not have taken another snap after the Texans returned his fumble for a touchdown. That made the score 27-10 early in the fourth quarter.

Pulling Rush there would have given Lance three possessions. Still nowhere near enough reps, but better than nothing.

On the next drive after the scoop-and-score, Rush completed one pass for four yards and Dallas punted. On the final two drives, the offense accumulated 76 yards on 20 plays and had zero points to show for it. They averaged 3.8 yards per play and failed to enter the red zone.

That Lance didn't take a single snap in a blowout loss is asinine. It is a coach's job to think one and two steps ahead. McCarthy completely lost his bearings in a non-competitive game.

Beyond sticking with Rush, Dallas was caught with 12 men on the field on more than one occasion. They even had to burn a timeout before a Texans field goal attempt because they had too many men on the field.

McCarthy also abandoned the run. While the run game wasn't successful, the Cowboys dropped back to pass 61 times compared to 18 rushing attempts. Again, Dallas didn't trail by more than 10 points until the fourth quarter.

We hate to pile on McCarthy, but this mistake calls for it. While starting Lance is ultimately ownership's call, there was zero reason Lance should have finished the game with a clean jersey.

That's on McCarthy.

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