Cowboys: Mike McCarthy's explanation for non-challenge misses the mark
The Dallas Cowboys got bullied on Sunday by a desperate 7-6 Buffalo Bills team that looked much better prepared than the 10-3 visiting team. While the road game never quite felt like the Cowboys had a chance during four quarters of play, it's fair to mention there were a few big plays that really dug […]
The Dallas Cowboys got bullied on Sunday by a desperate 7-6 Buffalo Bills team that looked much better prepared than the 10-3 visiting team.
While the road game never quite felt like the Cowboys had a chance during four quarters of play, it's fair to mention there were a few big plays that really dug a hole so deep that left the team completely hopeless by halftime.
"I thought there was critical plays throughout the first quarter and second quarter that if we could make a play or two there then maybe we can get this game going in a different direction," Mike McCarthy told reporters after the game.
Among those plays were a mixed bag of tough breaks: A missed deep shot to Brandin Cooks, and even a few dumb penalties, like DeMarcus Lawrence's roughing the passer and Sam Williams' roughing the kicker, both of which cost the Cowboys points. But not all plays are made inbounds, some are up to the sideline to make right.
Perhaps the most painful moment of all was head coach Mike McCarthy's non-challenge of what would've been a potentially game-changing turnover.
With the score 14-3 with just over minutes left in the second quarter, the Bills were marching down the field to put up another score on the Cowboys' defense. That was when linebacker Markquese Bell punched the football out of Stefon Diggs' hands while Donovan Wilson jumped on it for the would've-been-turnover.
Had the Cowboys gotten it, you're talking about a chance to cut down the Bills' lead to 14-10 before hitting the locker rooms, changing the context of the ballgame in its entirety. Knowing you'd get the ball to start the second half also would've changed things in a big way.
Instead, moments later it was 21-3 Bills, with win probability taking a huge hit before halftime. After Buffalo's third score, ESPN analytics had the home team's win probability at 92.1%.
However, the refs called the play down and the Bills rushed to snap the following play, leaving McCarthy with the red flag in his hand, useless as soon as Josh Allen snapped it.
Mike McCarthy explains why he didn't challenge
So why didn't the Cowboys head coach challenge the game-changing play? He provided an explanation after the game but it wasn't a satisfactory one if we're being honest.
"I grabbed my flag 'cause, you know it was a bang-bang and they went with the hurry up," McCarthy said. "And then there's communication with our with our guys up top, and you know they, they we didn't get it, we didn't get a review or preview, whatever you call it."
In other words, like a talk show, the Cowboys head coach ran out of time.
The only problem with that explanation is the team had three timeouts left before the end of the half. With the Bills near midfield and with a chance to stab you with a final dagger (see win probability above), it should've been an automatic decision from McCarthy to throw the flag.
It was potentially the difference between 21-3 and 14-10. Best case scenario, we're discussing a 14-point swing right there. McCarthy opted against, however, and a handful of plays later, Josh Allen sneaked it in for a touchdown. Even though over a half of football was later played, that was the ballgame.
