Cowboys looking to build upon stellar record under Mike McCarthy following a loss
In the games following a loss under Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy since 2021, it's been tough for opponents to scrape together a win against the reigning NFC East champions.
While McCarthy's first season in Dallas saw the Cowboys sport a 1-5 record following a loss in a season that was dismantled by an early season-ending ankle fracture to quarterback Dak Prescott, McCarthy's past three seasons have seen the Cowboys go 12-2 in games following a defeat .
While the veteran group on the team maintains that the mentality has to carry over season-to-season, the Cowboys will get their first 2024 opportunity to add another win to that statistic after a 44-19 loss to New Orleans a week ago.
"I think we have to prove it every year," offensive guard Zack Martin said. "Each team is different and this team is different than last year, the year before that. We gotta continue to build our identity week-by-week."
While McCarthy isn't necessarily buying into the weight of the statistic since his arrival, he did point out that it could serve as a talking point going into the week.
"It's a great motivation," McCarthy said. "Staying true to the process. We just have to stay in tune with getting better each and every day, regardless of what happened in the last game. I think this locker room does a really good job of that."
Defensively, the Cowboys had one of their worst showings under McCarthy with newly hired defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's group allowing 44 points against the Saints . For star defender Micah Parsons, the intention has been put into the week's preparation to do better against a strong Baltimore offensive run game.
"I think the mentality is to bounce back, stop this run and show people that you can stop the run," Parsons said. "I think it's definitely a prove-it game when you have a game like this back-to-back."
The two losses during the 12-2 stretch since 2021 included a one-point loss in Miami against the Dolphins last season and an overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.
"I think I'll find it tougher if people don't step up," Parsons said about the opportunity to respond. "I'm not just putting anything on any of my teammates, I'm saying myself included. I need to step up. We all need to step up."
"It would hurt me more if we all didn't step up, if we all played down to that standard again because that just tells me we're not moving in the direction that we should be moving."
