“Nothing Has Changed” – Mike McCarthy & the Dallas Cowboys Stick To Their Superbowl Target Despite Speedbumps

The stats speak for themselves, and so do 11 wins in an NFL season. When the Cowboys were humiliated 28-16 early in the season by the Cardinals and 42-10 by the 49ers, a few expected them to dethrone the Super Bowl runner-up Eagles. And they didn’t either, losing out to the side 28-23 in week 8. After all, no way it was the redemption season for the Cowboys who hadn’t won a single trophy since 1996 despite cashing out astronomical amounts.

But here we are at week 15. The Cowboys are the NFC leaders, and they have indeed, beaten the NFC top-seed Eagles. But just to make sure that a rare, hard-fought NFC top spot isn’t slipped up, HC Mike McCarty is being extra cautious. Ahead of their week 15 game vs the Bills, McCarthy set his focus straight on the rest of the season. He declared the playoff was inevitable, but there was a goal to achieve even before reaching there.

Mike McCarthy wants nothing less than 11 wins for the Cowboys

When a reporter asked McCarthy about the postseason thought during a post-training conference on Thursday, the HC made his ‘First things first’ policy clear. “Focused on 11 wins. You can save that (question) for next week. That’s the goal, but we want to win our division.” All this time he’s been only thinking about winning the NFC East, Mike McCarthy cleared his idea. And he made sure none forgot about their commitment earlier in the season either.

“All the things we said at the beginning of the season, nothing has changed. I’m not up here avoiding the topic, but 11 wins speaks for itself.” McCarthy reminded that the Cowboys had set their sight on clinching the divisional title first and also crossing the 10-win mark, then only focusing on the playoffs. Clearly, small steps towards a bigger goal work for him.

Read More: “I’m My Biggest Critic”: Dak Prescott Is Not Satisfied Despite 20-Point Smashing Win Over the Eagles

But it gets scary to think how he predicted or chased their dominance throughout the season despite the 28-year-long uncertainty.

McCarthy and Prescott’s Cowboys: the best since 1995?

In the last 28 years, the richest franchise on earth has managed the playoffs a mere 12 times and has won only 5 postseason games during that period. That shouldn’t be something you think first when thinking of a 5-time Super Bowl champion. And quarterback Dak Prescott probably had the same thought earlier in the season, that’s why the QB has started running riot throughout it.

Other than averaging the highest points/game, the $9.2 billion side also ranks as a top 3 defense in the league as well as arguably the best offense in it, aside from the Dolphins. Quarterback Dak Prescott has been off the charts too. He is leading the league in touchdowns (28), and following up 49ers‘ Brock Purdy in completion percentage (69.3) and passer rating (107.5) as the second. These stand as a testament to his performances, and the support that the Cowboys have provided him.

This finally looks to be the time for the Cowboys after a long wait, and they look like the best they’ve ever been since 1995. But can they turn the mountain of expectations into reality this time? Well, don’t ask Mike McCarthy that question again, he has his mind set on 11 wins first.

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