The Dallas Cowboys made it official on Monday that they are going in a different direction. Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy officially agreed to part ways after being unable to reach an agreement on a new contract. Now, the search for a new leader of the Cowboys begins with mixed reactions from fans.
While McCarthy's last season in Dallas was forgettable, he was one of the most successful head coaches in franchise history. McCarthy led Dallas to three straight playoff appearances from 2021 through 2023 and won two NFC East division titles during that stretch. Compared to some of the coaches this team has had since Jimmy Johnson, McCarthy proved to be arguably the best since.
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The Mike McCarthy era will be largely remembered for how little playoff success the Cowboys had. However, that does not discount some good moments and great wins this team had during his five-year stretch as head coach. Here is a look at the best wins of the McCarthy era.
3. 2021 Week 6 @ New England Patriots
After a disappointing first season in 2020, McCarthy and the Cowboys got off to a hot start in 2021 with a healthy Dak Prescott leading the offense. They entered their Week 6 game against the Patriots at 4-1 looking to start pulling away with the NFC East crown. Even with Tom Brady now in Tampa Bay, Bill Belichick and Co. proved to still be a challenge.
The game turned into a shootout with Prescott and Mac Jones matching each other. Dallas finally grabbed the lead in the third quarter with a CeeDee Lamb touchdown to make it 17-14. The fourth quarter proved to be the most entertaining part of this game with three lead changes. After Trevon Diggs intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown to make it 26-21 with just over two minutes to go, the game appeared to be in Dallas' hands.
However, it only took one quick play for the Patriots to get the lead back. Jones hit Kendrick Bourne for a 75-yard touchdown pass to take a 29-26 lead. Greg Zuerlein tied the game with a field goal to send it into overtime but a lot of the momentum appeared to be on New England's sideline. Lamb made sure that moment would not last long.
On the first drive of overtime the Cowboys mounted a seven-play drive that ended in Lamb scoring on a 35-yard touchdown to seal the win. He even took time to wave goodbye to Jalen Mills, who he beat on the route to score.
The win was arguably the most memorable of the 2021 season for Dallas and one of the best of the McCarthy era. It showed the Cowboys had fully regained their form as contenders for a playoff spot after struggling in 2020.
2. 2020 Week 2 vs. Atlanta Falcons
The first win of the McCarthy era in Dallas was a memorable one to say the least. With COVID-19 restrictions in place over the NFL, the Cowboys entered their first home game of the season with a solid crowd of fans on hand. Those fans that day were treated to a game full of ups and downs with plenty of memorable moments.
After a close loss in Week 1, Dallas needed to get off to a strong start against a good Falcons team but that did not happen. They fumbled three times in the first half as Atlanta built a 29-10 lead by halftime. With how poorly the offense and defense looked in the first 30 minutes, many were already chalking up an 0-2 start for Dallas.
In the second half, Dak Prescott mounted arguably one of the best comebacks in recent memory. After he rushed for two touchdowns in the third quarter, the Cowboys only trailed by five entering the final frame. However, with the defense struggling to slow down the Falcons' offense, many still figured it was too little too late.
With the Falcons up 39-24 with less than eight minutes to go, Prescott threw a touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz and ran for his third of the day. With less than two minutes left, Dallas needed a miracle to complete the comeback. That was when John "Bones" Fassel and Greg Zuerlein introduced the football world to the "watermelon" kick.
Zuerlein placed the football on its side and gave it a small nudge. Somehow the Falcons did not think to just pick it up when it was going towards them. Dallas recovered the ball and had one more chance to win the game.
Zuerlein summited his status as one of the heroes of the game as he made a 46-yard field goal to give Dallas a 40-39 win after his watermelon kick. The win did not lead to a remarkable season as the Cowboys went 6-10, but it was the most memorable one of Dallas' season. Of all the ways a game could end, this one made every fan drop their mouth.
1. 2022 Wild Card Game @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The high point of any coaching tenure has to include playoff wins at the top spot of any list. After finishing 2021 with a disappointing loss at home in the Wild Card round to the 49ers, Mike McCarthy was looking to avenge that the following year. After a blowout loss on the road against the Washington Commanders to end the regular season, most were thinking Dallas would be one and done in the playoffs.
Facing Tom Brady in what would be his last game in the NFL, the Cowboys proved the doubters wrong all game. Dallas jumped on top first with a touchdown before the Buccaneers mounted a 14-play drive. Fortunately, Dallas' defense shut the door on Brady as Jayron Kearse picked him off in the end zone. It ended up being a turning point for the game.
The Cowboys scored two more touchdowns to go up 18-0 at halftime. Despite the extra point misses by Brett Maher, Dallas' confidence was high. The defense shut down the Tampa Bay in the second half as Dallas built a 31-6 lead in the fourth quarter. The game was over by that point and the Cowboys won their first road playoff game 31-14 since the 1992 NFC Championship game.
Dak Prescott had his best playoff performance with over 300 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. While his performance was memorable, what might have been more memorable was McCarthy's celebration in the locker room with the chain around his neck doing a dance. To see the expression on his face with the satisfaction of leading his team to a huge playoff win, that has to be the highlight of the McCarthy era in Dallas.