The Dallas Cowboys enter the second week of the NFL season in a terrible position.
They are missing quarterback Dak Prescott, who suffered an injury against the Buccaneers in their home opener.
However, the team has Cooper Rush, a quarterback many in Dallas are hoping can save their jobs.
With pressure on the Cowboys to return to the NFL playoffs, they need a win in week two.
But they will need to win games without their star QB, as Prescott will miss several weeks after having surgery on his thumb.
So who’s job can Rush save, and does he have it in him to win games?
Head Coach Mike McCarthy’s Job Is On The Line With Rush
While Mike McCarthy was the coach behind getting the Cowboys back into the playoffs.
However, he’s still in dangerous waters as a hot seat coach in 2022.
"Mike McCarthy entered the season on the hot seat, if we want to call it that. I don't know if any of that really changes even with Dak Prescott's injury. #Cowboys
–@ToddArcher on how long of a leash Mike McCarthy will have
For Todd's full appearance: https://t.co/RQoV6CVnaA pic.twitter.com/847DWel7m9
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) September 13, 2022
Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys owner, doesn’t keep losing coaches around for long with him being in his 80s.
He wants a coach that can win now and win playoff games.
One thing McCarthy can’t afford to have is a 0-2 record after the Cowboys game against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday.
That’s why it’s important Rush plays a flawless game in his first start of 2022.
However, a loss doesn’t mean the end of the Cowboys’ hopes to reach the playoffs.
But it makes things an uphill battle early in the NFL season.
Rush Has Experience Winning In The NFL
The plus side to having Rush filling in is how he’s won in the NFL before.
Last season, he took over for one game with Prescott sidelined.
He led the Cowboys to a victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Central Michigan alumnus Cooper Rush is the first QB to throw 300+ pass yards and win in his first career NFL start in a primetime road game since Gary Hogeboom in Week 1, 1984 on MNF …
Hogeboom was drafted out of Central Michigan and won that game for the @dallascowboys
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) November 1, 2021
His win was impressive, as he had 325 passing yards and two touchdowns in the game.
However, some believe that was a one-time deal with him.
While it could be true, his win last year gives the Cowboys hope they can salvage the 2022 season.
With McCarthy on a short leash in Dallas, his job is on the line with every win, or every loss, that happens in 2022.
Rush Can Become Attractive As A Backup If He Can Win Games
While the Cowboys head coach needs Rush to win games, Rush himself can improve his standing with some wins.
With NFL teams looking for solid backup quarterbacks, he can showcase to every NFL team that he’s a capable backup.
However, it can also raise his pay in Dallas if they want to keep him from now on.
So the Prescott injury gives him a significant chance to prove his worth.
He can also help others around him, as receiver Noah Brown is on a one-year deal with the Cowboys.
With him recording five receptions for 68 yards in the Cowboys first game, he could become a target for Rush.
Brown’s performance on Sunday night was better than teammate CeeDee Lamb.
Lamb came into 2022 as the new number one receiver, but didn’t show that against the Buccaneers.
If Brown is Rush’s favorite target from now on, he could benefit from Rush taking over.
