Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, also the general manager in Dallas, claims he “hasn’t even considered” firing head coach Mike McCarthy.
“I’m not considering that. Just so you’re clear, I’m not considering that,” Jones said Sunday night after the Cowboys were embarrassed by the Detroit Lions in a 47-9 defeat that ranks as the worst home loss since Jones purchased the team.
At 3-3 entering the bye week, the Cowboys are winless at home and 3-0 on the road to sit in third place in the NFC East behind the Washington Commanders (4-2) and Philadelphia Eagles (3-2). Ten NFC teams have three or more wins but Dallas has allowed 168 points for a score differential of minus-42. In the conference, that’s 15th out of 16 teams and better than only the 1-5 Carolina Panthers (203 points allowed).
“Well, we’re disappointed that we’re 3-3,” Jones said. “The three-loss side of it, I don’t necessarily totally blame on McCarthy. The players will tell you they had something to do with it, too. His other parts of the staff will tell you. And the owner sure will tell you he had something to do with it, so it’s not all on him.”
The Cowboys played the Lions without key defensive personnel, including All-Pro Micah Parsons (ankle), 2023 Pro Bowl cornerback DaRon Bland (foot), and veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. Lawrence was leading the team with 3.0 sacks when he suffered a foot injury two weeks ago and landed on injured reserve.
Quarterback Dak Prescott said players are strongly in McCarthy’s corner. He’s in the final year of his contract after three consecutive 12-5 seasons.
Dallas failed to score a touchdown in the first three quarters for the second consecutive game. The Cowboys escaped Pittsburgh with a Week 5 win thanks to 14 points in the fourth quarter, their only touchdowns in a span of 10 quarters starting with the third quarter against the New York Giants.
Falling behind 27-3 to the Lions took the running game out of the equation and the Cowboys finished with 53 yards on the ground. It’s the third time in the past five games Dallas failed to top 70 rushing yards.
“Generally speaking, I think my message is — I know you don’t need to hear me say this — but I’m well aware that we’re in the proverbial s— right now,” Jones said.
