Although it wasn’t a pretty game, the Dallas Cowboys led by Mike McCarthy defeated the Detroit Lions.
Dallas survived Week 17 with a 20-19 victory after defying Detroit’s three attempts in the last seconds to convert a 2-point field goal. With the win, Dallas enjoyed their first home undefeated season since 1981.
Dallas, now 11-5, has a chance to steal the NFC East title from the Eagles the following week. But following the game, Cowboys supporters and NFL media were focused elsewhere:
Instead, Jared Goff and the Lions had 1:41 remaining and no timeouts when Dallas opted for a field goal to increase their lead to 20-13. With 23 seconds left, Detroit responded by driving down the field and scoring, setting up the contentious (and unsuccessful) 2-point attempts.
Barstool Big Cat wrote, “Mike McCarthy must be ecstatic that Dan Campbell will receive all the coaching criticism from the media following this one when it’s much more deserved for him.
Mike McCarthy Describes Clock Management for the Fourth Quarter
When Ed Werder of ESPN questioned McCarthy about the events of the fourth quarter that resulted in the clock stopping following an incomplete pass on second down, McCarthy responded as follows to reporters:
We’re attempting to store the thing there. You call plays that you are obviously happy with. But we struggled all day to get down first. We had so many second-and-longs that I am at a loss for words. I just can’t watch the penalty on first down without seeing it on replay.
On third down, I’m still attempting to get close to the strike zone. That was the idea.
After the game, the Cowboys were 7 of 14 on offensive third-down attempts and committed 5 total penalties for 34 yards (as opposed to the Lions’ 6 for 35).
Cowboys History is Made by CeeDee Lamb
CeeDee Lamb’s supremacy in the game was one element that was never in doubt.
With a career-high 227 receiving yards—including a 92-yard touchdown in the first quarter—and 13 receptions on 17 targets, the Cowboys’ wide receiver ended the evening with a career high. In addition, he fumbled into the end zone, winning a touchback, which likely negated his chance for a second touchdown.
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