“Unbelievable” cowboys headcoach Mike McCarthy really meant it…
True or False: The Cowboys Should Bet Everything on Bill Belichick
Dallas’ only option after yet another postseason collapse is to go after the six-time Super Bowl victor. In addition, the Dolphins should review their quarterback position.
This is the first of your four free premium articles.
Get In Unlimited Access By SubscribingAre you a subscriber already? Kindly sign in here.
Following the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins’ crushing defeats during wild-card weekend in the NFL playoffs, many others felt similarly.
The logic was evident, as it’s evident that the Cowboys and Dolphins are relegated to the status of playoff pretenders and that, unless a major transformation occurs, they won’t be regarded as genuine Super Bowl candidates for the foreseeable future.
Dallas may need to make a head coach change as a result, particularly because Bill Belichick is open after splitting with the New England Patriots following 24 seasons and six Super Bowl victories. The Green Bay Packers destroyed Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys, resulting in yet another early postseason exit. This gave team owner Jerry Jones a lot to think about.
The Dolphins in Miami may need to improve at quarterback following Tua Tagovailoa’s most recent lackluster showing in the team’s 26-7 loss to the Chiefs.
However, the Detroit Lions and Packers demonstrated that postseason success may occasionally result from patience with quarterbacks. After the Los Angeles Rams gave up on Jared Goff, Green Bay forced Jordan Love to wait his time behind Aaron Rodgers. The Lions also persisted in their pursuit of Goff.
Following an exciting round of wild cards, there were a lot of stories to look at for this week’s “Fact or Fiction.”
First and foremost, McCarthy deserves a great deal of credit for making the Cowboys a consistent force in the NFC East, and in his first season leading the offense, he enhanced the play calling. However, Jones has made it nearly impossible for coaches to meet up to the high standards in Dallas unless it results in a Super Bowl championship, as my colleague Conor Orr pointed out. But there is one coach available who doesn’t mind working under constant pressure and having high standards. Jones ought to at least try to beat Belichick, who has the ability to help the Cowboys win postseason games and, for the first time in thirty years, get to the NFC championship game.
Following the Cowboys’ disappointing wild-card defeat to the Packers, Dak Prescott strongly defended McCarthy. However, if Jones wins the future Hall of Fame, he might reconsider. Moreover, Jones has two options if he doesn’t like Belichick: he can go to Mike Vrabel or enter the Jim Harbaugh sweepstakes. It’s also possible that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin might be traded.
Once more, McCarthy has done a great job, but the Jones family is looking for more than just NFC East championships, and there are too many great coaches out there to not at least consider your alternatives.
Dolphins ought to think about getting rid of Tua Tagovailoa.
Manzano’s opinion: Truth
When I suggested that this could be Tagovailoa’s make-or-break season following the team’s trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Dolphins supporters took exception. It brought to mind how the Rams gambled heavily on the trade market, realizing that Goff would not win them a Super Bowl, and how Matthew Stafford was the last player traded to secure a championship. After a few seasons marred by injuries and uneven play, Tagovailoa was assisted by Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel to become a quarterback who is, depending on who you ask, on the verge of being ranked in the top 10. However, it appears that McCarthy may have reached the full potential of Tagovailoa, as the 2020 No. 5 choice struggled to perform in the closing moments of the season due to many injuries to important players.
Despite their circumstances, great quarterbacks are able to motivate their teammates—just look at rookie C.J. Stroud as an example. It appears like Tagovailoa performs best when the Dolphins are leading and have perfect game scripts, which is concerning for McDaniel even when the squad is healthy. However, this team paid too much to sign Brady Chubb, Trevor Hill, and Ramsey rather than holding out hope that Tagovailoa would eventually develop into a top quarterback. It doesn’t hurt to look into possibilities for possible quarterback improvement.
Playoff games from the NFL shouldn’t only be available on streaming platforms.
Viewed by Manzano: Fiction
This predicament makes me think of boxing enthusiasts who, when fight night comes around, give in and either pay the $75 or persuade a friend to arrange a watch party, despite their vows not to spend money on a boxing card that has no right being on pay-per-view. (Yeah, I’m among those boxing enthusiasts.) Many people probably signed up for Peacock’s free trial, enjoyed the Chiefs-Dolphins game, and then binge-watched repeats of The Office. However, I’m not here to promote Peacock. The thing to remember is that things are changing, and soon everything will be available just on streaming services.
Thursday Night Football is already available only on Amazon Prime, and let’s not even talk about that streaming service’s horrible latency and buffering. Still, RedZone on YouTube TV was fantastic. Thus, adapt to the times or look for alternatives; there are numerous ways to reduce costs. As a fan of combat sports, trust me, I am aware of them, but I won’t list them here. Wink, wink.
For the time being, Jordan Love will be the MVP.
Manzano’s opinion: Truth
Love showed off during the Cowboys’ 48–32 thumping to go to the NFC Divisional Round. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated was informed by Packers coach Matt LaFleur that Love is performing at an MVP caliber. Disagreement is difficult, particularly in light of each spectacular throw that brought back memories of Aaron Rodgers. During his three seasons as the backup, Love undoubtedly developed traits similar to Aaron Rodgers, and the Packers’ patient development strategy with the 2020 first-round pick is now paying off handsomely. Love was exceptional when throwing outside the pocket, showcasing his explosive arm on off-platform throws that resulted in big plays for Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, and Luke Musgrave.
Love is directing his young playmakers for yards after the catch and seeing the field well after a difficult start to the season. I am certain that Love will win at least one MVP award as he follows in the footsteps of his predecessor in Green Bay by combining his mental and physical prowess on the field. Love’s play over the last two months has been so good that it wouldn’t be shocking if the Packers defeated the powerful San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.
The Lions will play in their first Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
Viewed by Manzano: Fiction
When the Lions defeated the Rams, a popular upset selection during wild-card weekend, the skeptics looked foolish. Being the only NFC team to never participate in the championship game, it is difficult to predict whether Detroit will make it to their first Super Bowl in franchise history. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a team that has recently participated in a Super Bowl and has a ton of playoff experience; thus, the Lions should be the favorites at home. The 49ers or the Packers, who defeated the Lions on Thanksgiving Day, will be the opponents the Lions face on the road if they win another playoff game to carry on one of the NFL’s greatest stories.
But this isn’t an attempt to disparage the Lions. Their ability to outmuscle and outcoach Sean McVay’s Rams was stunning. In keeping with his persona, Lions coach Dan Campbell let quarterback Jay Cutler win the game with an 11-yard pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown to end the clock and guarantee the team’s first postseason triumph in thirty-two years. From now on, it will be difficult to defeat the Lions against any other team.
