The Cowboys’ three-game winning streak and season came to an end after the New York Giants defeated Dallas 23-19. It was very fitting that even on a different team, Jason Garrett still managed to keep the Cowboys out of the playoffs.
With the Cowboys finishing the season 6-10, here are three takeaways from the Week 17 loss and final thoughts of the 2020 season.
HC Mike McCarthy’s Costly Decision and OC Kellen Moore’s Extension:
We know the probability of DC Mike Nolan’s departure is high, but that does not mean the rest of the coaching staff was perfect. HC Mike McCarthy missed a clear challenge in the fourth quarter that could have changed the outcome of Sunday’s game. McCarthy’s reputation is known to be risky, but he may have done too much this season. The failure to challenge is just another example of how the coaching staff has been inconsistent throughout crucial moments of the game.
It was also announced before the final game of the season that OC Kellen Moore had turned down the HC position at Boise State, his alma mater, to stay with the Cowboys for another three years. I do think this is a good move based on the results of the offense over the past two years. Even with QB Dak Prescott out, the offense was still able to produce a record amount of points. It just did not show up during the Week 17 loss. Now, things start to get interesting if McCarthy does decide to take over the play-calling in the near future. Kellen Moore may regret his decision if this is the case. But for now, it is clear that he is happy in Dallas.
DC Mike Nolan One and Done:
Week after week, DC Mike Nolan was criticized for his defense that ranked last in almost every category. Stars like DE DeMarcus Lawerence, CB Trevon Diggs, and DE Randy Gregory flashed at times but could never elevate the defense to complement the explosive offense. While the defense did start to create some turnovers, the Dallas D lacked composure and physicality. Obviously, the direction the Cowboys will take at the DC position is unknown, but there is a lot of work still left to be done. I would expect to see a very defensive-heavy draft this year to fill the many holes this defense has.
QB Andy Dalton Gone?:
This may be the last time we see Andy Dalton play with a star on his helmet. After signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys to become the backup to Dak Prescott, things quickly changed when Prescott went down in Week 5. Dalton definitely had highlights throughout the season, but the loss to the Giants was not his best game at all. On first and goal at the New York eleven, the Cowboys were set to take the lead on their last drive in the fourth quarter with under two minutes to go. Things went downhill when Dalton took a ten-yard sack and then eventually forced a ball in the end zone that led to an interception to end the season.
With many teams in search of a quarterback this offseason, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dalton did decide to take his talents somewhere else. Especially knowing this is Prescott’s team, after all.
With the disastrous 2020 season finally over, all Dallas can do is prepare for the draft. The Cowboys secured the 10th overall pick after the Eagles loss on Sunday night. 2020 was a season to forget, but Cowboy fans can now begin to fantasize how the 2021 season will finally be the year the Cowboys make it back to the Super Bowl.
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