Mike McCarthy has returned to the Dallas Cowboys after clearing COVID-19 protocols and he’s already making his presence felt, for better or worse.
The Cowboys have been struggling as of late, losing three of their last five games. After a stellar start that put them in the discussion for the NFC’s top playoff spot, they’re now just trying to stave off Washington Football Team and the Philadelphia Eagles in order to win the NFC East.
The Cowboys travel to D.C. to take on WFT this weekend in a pivotal game for their season and McCarthy decided to push all his chips into the center of the table, telling reporters that “we’re going to win this game” in a rare instance of an NFL coach guaranteeing a victory.
#Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy: “We know what people think of us. We know who we are and where we are. We’re going to win this game. I’m confident about that.’’ That confidence, he says, comes from players’ accountability, preparation and determination to improve. pic.twitter.com/Ewiy1eCrM7
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) December 9, 2021
“We know what people think of us,” said McCarthy. “We know who we are and where we are. We’re going to win this game. I’m confident about that.’’
When asked if he was concerned that he’d given WFT some serious bulletin board material, McCarthy doubled down.
Mike McCarthy on this being bulletin board material: "What am I supposed to say? I fully expect to win every game I've ever competed in…They're working hard, we're working hard. But we're clearly planning on going to Washington & winning the game. There's no doubt about that." https://t.co/0yvtN7szjc
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 9, 2021
“What am I supposed to say?” McCarthy said. “I fully expect to win every game I’ve ever competed in. … They’re working hard, we’re working hard. But we’re clearly planning on going to Washington and winning the game. There’s no doubt about that.”
You better believe that NFL fans and media folks had a reaction to McCarthy’s bold proclamation and how it might work out for him and the Cowboys.
Mike McCarthy guaranteeing a road division win. What could go wrong https://t.co/P1iSTPErCL
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) December 9, 2021
Cowboys have moved from -4.5 to -4.
Bettors not as confident. https://t.co/dyJi3GyzAg
— John Ewing (@johnewing) December 9, 2021
McCarthy is just trying to endear himself to Cowboys Twitter by exhibiting zero respect for the Washington Football Team https://t.co/nY4RBlaghy
— Bureau of Human-Bovine Cultural Affairs (@CowboysStats) December 9, 2021
Whoa – Cowboys coach guaranteeing a win https://t.co/85LB6MT62b
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 9, 2021
Meanwhile, Washington defensive tackle Jon Allen was asked about McCarthy’s guarantee, to which he responded, “The only thing guaranteed is death and taxes.”
Jon Allen's response when asked about Mike McCarthy guarantee comment: "The only thing guaranteed is death and taxes." https://t.co/vZymZqvaNS
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 9, 2021
Obviously, we’ll have a pretty clear idea of how this works out for McCarthy on Sunday.
