The Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach who has some majestic memories at AT&T Stadium in Arlington that was built in 2009. Jerry Jones never forgot those moments and that perception is believed to play a huge part in the hiring process.
The History
McCarthy’s first appearance in Arlington was dramatic. The Cowboys led the Green Bay Packers 26-3 at halftime. However, backup QB, Matt Flynn scored five consecutive touchdowns to win 37-36.
Their next game in Arlington was where a playoff cliffhanger took place. The Cowboys had a stunning 13-3 season. In the final minute of the game, the Cowboys kicked a field goal hoping to send the game into overtime. However, to much time was on the clock as Aaron Rodgers extended the play and made an unbelievable throw to Jared Cook. That play set up a game-winning field goal as time expired.
On McCarthy’s third trip, he coached the Packers to come back from a 21-12 halftime deficit to win 35-31. Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass to Davante Adams with 11 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
On his fourth trip to Arlington, the Packers won 34-24 after Aaron Jones had an astounding rushing game. He set the Packers franchise record with four rushing touchdowns.
McCarthy has success against the Cowboys and triumphs continued outside the walls of AT&T Stadium.
Mike McCarthy ultimately got Wade Phillips fired after a 45-7 defeat, dropping the Cowboys to 1-7 in 2010. Jason Garrett took over and led the team for the next decade without any real playoff chances. McCarthy also led his team to the Super Bowl that year.
Playoff Success
McCarthy faced the Cowboys in two playoff games. The first was the infamous “Dez caught it” game in 2015. The Cowboys trailed 26-21 with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Dez Bryant caught a huge fourth-down catch on the 1-yard line that bobbled as he was reaching for the goal line. He regained control in the end-zone without the ball ever touching the ground. McCarthy made a wise challenge which led to a replay review and the referees overturned the call. The Packers took possession, the Cowboys never got the ball back, and the rest is history.
The second playoff game was in Green Bay where Mason Crosby hit the game-winning field goal. McCarthy’s skills as a coach halted the Cowboys from gaining any playoff momentum. If the Cowboys would have won either game, they would have continued on to the NFC championship game. His lone Super Bowl win came from Super Bowl XLV when the Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, which also happened inside AT&T Stadium.
Although McCarthy is on the home sidelines now, how long will his undefeated tenure last? It’ll be tough to go the entire season without losing as the Cowboys play the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Football Team, San Francisco 49ers, and the Philadelphia Eagles at home.
The hype will build if he can find success at home as the season plays out.
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
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