Mike McCarthy adhered to his regular routine. On Sunday, he reached AT&T Stadium approximately five hours prior to the evening kickoff against the Philadelphia Eagles. If there was any source of anxiety for him, it was the level of traffic he faced on his way in and the punctuality of his players.
It wasn’t nerves about the appendectomy he underwent Wednesday after complaining of pain upon arriving at The Star.
“That was really part of my angst, was just to get here and stay in a routine and get ready to call the game,” McCarthy said. “I mean, I was excited to compete.” Mike McCarthy adhered
McCarthy directed the Cowboys to a 33-13 win against the Eagles that, thanks to a tiebreaker, has them in first place in the NFC East with a month to play. His offense put up 394 yards. Dak Prescott threw two more touchdowns. The Cowboys ran for 138 yards on 32 carries. They converted 9 of 16 third-down chances and their only fourth-down opportunity. They were a perfect 3-for-3 in the red zone.
“I simply wanted to contribute and ensure that I was as prepared as usual,” McCarthy explained. “I felt a bit nervous about it because it’s a long year, and we’re all creatures of habit. We’re accustomed to our regular seven-day weeks, so missing time feels a bit strange. However, the players performed exceptionally well, the coaches excelled, and we seamlessly carried on. I believe we showcased that.”