If Cowboys Fail? '100%’ Blame on Mike McCarthy - ESPN Analysts

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has posted a 1-2 postseason record over the past three seasons. … and ESPN is at the ready with pre-prepared blame.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is used to pressure. 

From leading the Green Bay Packers to their first Super Bowl in over four decades, to starting his Cowboys tenure with a Dak Prescott season ending ankle injury and finishing the campaign at 6-10, being on the "hot seat" is nothing new to the longtime coach. 

However, deciding to move on from Kellen Moore - one of the league's most successful offensive coordinators - for McCarthy to take over play-calling duties? That has brought another level of scrutiny this offseason. 

"He’s made the bold statement about "running the damn ball"," ESPN’s Alan Hahn said. "He has talked about the fact that 'Kellen Moore wanted to light up the scoreboard, I just want to win and do whatever it takes to win.' So, it's all on him now [and] less will be on Dak [Prescott] … There's a target already that was on him in Dallas. It'll be a lot bigger in 2023."

Under Moore's guidance, the Cowboys finished with top-six scoring attack in three of the last four seasons, along with finishing No. 1 in yards twice. However, McCarthy is no stranger to leading a successful offense in his own way. While in Green Bay, the 59-year-old was his own play-caller and led the Packers to the No. 1 offense in football twice in four seasons (2011, 2014).

Still, ESPN has questions … 

"Not only is he taking over the offense, we still have those wonders about the time management [and] all the things that have followed Mike McCarthy through his career," ESPN’s Jeff Darlington said. "100 percent the pressure is on Mike McCarthy.”

With all due respect to the “analysts”: there is nothing new under the sun - Cowboys or otherwise - when it comes to “pressure” and “blame.” The owner, the coach and the QB are all subjected to it … though in the case of Dallas, failure will only threaten the job of one of them. And that one will indeed be McCarthy.

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You can find Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard

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