Throughout Mike McCarthy’s tenure, one constant has been the formidable presence of the 49ers. For the fifth consecutive year, the Cowboys are gearing up to face San Francisco as they emerge from their bye week, hoping to secure just their second victory against them in five attempts. Notably, two of those losses occurred in the playoffs during consecutive seasons, and last year’s regular-season clash was a particularly painful defeat that still lingers in the minds of the Cowboys.
Labeling the 49ers as the relentless bullies of the McCarthy-era Cowboys would be an understatement. Their only triumph over San Francisco came in 2020, when Andy Dalton outperformed Nick Mullens during a disappointing season for both teams. Since then, the 49ers have consistently outmatched them, and adding another loss to Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy, and the crew could seriously dent the Cowboys’ morale.
However, the tides might turn this week. The 49ers are battling a slew of injuries, particularly on offense, and may enter the game missing several key players, including the still-injured Christian McCaffrey. Would a win over a decimated 49ers squad truly signify progress for the Cowboys? Tom Ryle and David Howman weigh in on the debate.
Tom: I agree that a win is far from guaranteed, and even if they secure it, it’s hard to see how it signals a positive trajectory for the rest of the season. The Cowboys were dismal in their last game before the bye, and off-field issues seem to arise daily. Players are voicing complaints about stadium tours, Troy Aikman criticized the wide receiver corps for their route-running, and injuries are stacking up for Dallas. Not to mention, Jerry Jones continues to throw players under the bus.
If they manage to win and do so convincingly, we still need to consider the bigger picture, which increasingly resembles a horror movie rather than a feel-good story. I maintain that Mike McCarthy was set up for failure, and a victory over the 49ers would only provide a temporary escape from what has been a dismal 2024 season.
David: I can’t entirely disagree; beating this current version of the 49ers won’t feel like a monumental turning point. There won’t be any sense of “we finally conquered that challenge.” Yet, a win is still a win, especially against a team that has consistently outplayed you.
For the players, the psychological impact could be significant. The team’s lackluster performance before the bye was concerning, and the narrative surrounding them has been overwhelmingly negative. If they can come out strong, especially against the 49ers—who they’ve struggled against—this could provide a much-needed confidence boost. While it may not be a complete turnaround, it could generate some positive momentum, which they desperately need right now.
Tom: I’m more curious about how the players perform on the field. If they’re still showing effort and playing hard, there’s hope for a respectable finish to the season.
The real danger lies in players mailing it in or making half-hearted decisions. Tensions could surface on the sidelines, similar to what we saw between Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. A dismal performance could indicate that McCarthy has lost the locker room, which would be understandable yet regrettable. However, the blame should primarily lie with Jerry Jones, who not only shaped the struggling roster but also continues to exacerbate issues. The renewed complaints about stadium tours caught my attention; they suggest many players feel disrespected by the organization. While they can’t direct their frustrations at the owner, McCarthy often becomes the scapegoat.
I hope it doesn’t come to that. I want to see the team give their all and keep the game competitive. We’ll see how it unfolds on Sunday night.
David: The most intriguing aspect of the stadium tour saga was the contrasting responses from Prescott and Lamb. Prescott delivered a lengthy reply, essentially saying, “If distractions keep you from being your best, you were never that great.” In contrast, Lamb acknowledged that the tours can be “sometimes” distracting but didn’t elaborate.
This encapsulates the team’s dilemma. They seem torn between the mentality of veterans like Prescott and McCarthy—focused on blocking out distractions and striving for excellence—and the attitude expressed by Jaylon Smith: “If the owner isn’t worried, we’re good.”
McCarthy has worked hard to instill a gritty, dedicated culture within the franchise, and there are moments when that shines through. I believe Prescott is fully committed, but others are not, largely due to the owner’s over-involvement, which undermines McCarthy’s efforts. In this context, a win on Sunday night could provide some players with a reason to temporarily reinvest in what McCarthy is trying to build.
Whether this leads to a turnaround for the season remains to be seen, but we’ll find out soon enough.
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