Mike McCarthy is frequently a punching bag for both Dallas Cowboys fans and NFL pundits alike. It makes sense, as Dallas has repeatedly choked in the playoffs under his watch and this season has not been a good one.
But, credit to Mike McCarthy, as the Cowboys have fought hard the last few weeks after the season was essentially over. They beat the Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, and Chris Collinsworth was full of praise for Mike McCarthy.
Dallas, who was eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the day due to Washington's dramatic win over Philadelphia, had a chance to play spoiler on Sunday night. The Buccaneers entered Sunday's game with a one game lead in the NFC South over the Falcons, but don't own the tiebreaker.
The Cowboys did indeed play spoiler. They led wire-to-wire, and got a stop when they needed it late on this freak play.
Dallas, now, 7-8, has won four out of five, with the other game a loss to the Bengals on a fluke play where they fumbled a blocked a punt. They've done that without Dak Prescott, and it's been pretty cool to seem them not quit on their season. They're playing hard for Mike McCarthy, whose contract expires at the end of the year.
Will Mike McCarthy keep his job in Dallas? That remains to be seen. But, he does have Dallas playing solid football.