Mike McCarthy’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-three early in the fourth quarter with Dallas down a field goal had people up in arms. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mike McCarthy blasted for coaching decision in Cowboys debut

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 9/13/20

After a season away from the game, Mike McCarthy returned to an NFL sideline as the Dallas Cowboys head coach Sunday evening against the Los Angeles Rams.

Dallas struggled with mistakes throughout the first three-plus quarters, including some dumb penalties.

However, it was McCarthy’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-three early in the fourth quarter with Dallas down a field goal that had people up in arms.

The Cowboys had a chip-shot field goal opportunity from the Rams’ 11 to tie the game at 20. Instead, Dak Prescott completed a pass to rookie CeeDee Lamb short of the yardage to gain.

This reminded many people of McCarthy’s tenure as the Green Bay Packers’ head coach. And not in a great way.

Mike McCarthy with a questionable strategy in the fourth quarter on the road. Goes for it on fourth-and-3 from Rams 11 rather than tying game with field goal. Dak Prescott pass underneath fails to get first down.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 14, 2020

Mike McCarthy should just blame Jason Garrett.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 14, 2020

That was a bizarre sequence from Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy. Jason Garrett could have done that
— Nick Kostos (@TheKostos) September 14, 2020

Why not tie the game? Really confused by that decision by Mike McCarthy.
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) September 14, 2020

Mike McCarthy with the most Mike McCarthy call of all time right there…

Down 3 with a chip shot FG and he goes for it on 4th & 3… #SundayNightFootball pic.twitter.com/e1NutqEqD0
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) September 14, 2020

McCarthy read the analytics book through the "go for it on 4th down chapter" and put it down before the "don't run it on 3rd to set it up tho!" addendum
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) September 14, 2020