Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is guaranteed to face well-deserved scrutiny after a few controversial game-management decisions during his team's 38-35 win to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13.

The first one came following Tony Pollard's rushing touchdown, which put the scoreboard 28-26 pending the PAT. Shockingly, McCarthy sent Aubrey out there for the extra point, which cut down the Cowboys' deficit to 28-27.

Later in the game, after DaRon Bland's interception, the Cowboys faced a fourth and two in enemy territory. From the Seahawks' 30-yard line, the Cowboys could've settled for a 40+ yard field goal attempt to give them the lead but McCarthy kept the offense on the field. Prescott then targeted an open Lamb in the flat, which he dropped, turning the ball over on downs. 

The decision to go for it has been criticized with many arguing the Cowboys should've taken the (f-bomb) points for the lead. However, allow me to defend McCarthy on this one: In the same game where the defense was giving up over seven yards per play at that point, why not put the ball in the hands of Dak Prescott and the offense? 

I'm fine with that call. Lamb was open and Dak's throw was on target. It came down to execution. On the other hand, I haven't stopped scratching my hand since the Cowboys settled for the extra point.

McCarthy's end-of-game management was also questionable, with him seemingly wanting to milk the clock with the Cowboys in the red zone. He called run plays on first and second down before throwing on third-and-three with 1:52 to go in the fourth quarter and no timeouts from the Seahawks. That translated to giving Geno Smith back the football for another drive. Fortunately, the defense stepped up, avoiding a disaster.

As much credit as he deserves for the work done to revamp the offense, McCarthy's game management could've cost Dallas the game. It's safe to say he owes Dak Prescott dinner as his 41 points kept Seattle from stealing the game right at the end. 

Dak Prescott adds to MVP-caliber resumé

Dak Prescott was on fire on offense, attacking the weakness of the Seahawks defense: The middle of the field. Prescott was a near-perfect 11-of-13 for 133 yards and two touchdowns attacking the middle of the field, per Next Gen Stats. Overall, he recorded a 118.6 passer rating.

The Seahawks insisted on playing zone and Prescott and friends dominated. CeeDee Lamb had several rough moments but consistently gained separation or drew flags against a talented secondary. In the Cowboys' go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter, Prescott found Lamb multiple times as the offense marched 54 yards down the field for a touchdown, which was scored by TE Jake Ferguson on a beautifully thrown ball by Dak. 

Even though the Cowboys are not the NFC East division leaders, Prescott has built a legit case by playing as the best quarterback of the 2023 NFL season.

Other notes from Cowboys win over the Seahawks:

• The refs made sure they got their airtime on primetime: The Cowboys were called for nine penalties for 127 yards and the Seahawks were 10 for 130. They were consistent both ways but not what fans enjoy on national TV.
• DaRon Bland was picked apart in the first half by Geno Smtih. Although he came back with an INT in the second half, it's worth having a closer look at Bland's last couple of games, where he has been targeted often by quarterbacks.
• DeMarcus Lawrence's tackle for loss on fourth-and-one during the fourth quarter sure was a turning point in this game. The Cowboys offense got the ball back and went on to score seven