Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy had plenty of pressure on him Monday night.
If McCarthy was to lose, he would be through three seasons with the Cowboys without a playoff win.
He was brought to Dallas to win Super Bowls, and Monday’s game was a great first step.
The Cowboys were the far superior team in this game.
Despite being 0-7 against Tom Brady, and not having won a road playoff game in 30 years, McCarthy’s Cowboys ended the curse.
The Mike McCarthy Dallas Cowboys should be called the Curse Killers.
Can't win without the starting QB? They did.
Can't win in the playoffs at all? They did.
Can't win on grass? In blue jerseys? They did.
Can't beat Tom Brady? They did.
He deserves so much credit.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) January 17, 2023
This was a statement game for McCarthy, as people questioned his coaching success without Aaron Rodgers.
It is clear McCarthy is a very good football coach, and he is showing that in Dallas.
But, the Cowboys have more work to do.
McCarthy has a chance to end another curse next week when the Cowboys play in the Divisional Round.
Dallas has not made an NFC Championship Game since the 1995-96 season.
But, if McCarthy can lead his team to a victory over the San Francisco 49ers, he should officially silence all critics.
The 49ers are playing like the best team in football right now, having won 11 straight games.
But, the Cowboys have the quarterback advantage in this game.
Dak Prescott versus Brock Purdy is a matchup the Cowboys would take any day of the week.
Yet, the 49ers are much more than a rookie quarterback.
They have a great roster, led by the best defense in the NFL this season.
Dallas’ offense will have their hands full trying to find ways to expose the 49ers’ weaknesses.
But, that is McCarthy’s job, to find the best ways for the Cowboys to have the most success.
Despite having a great win on Monday, McCarthy and the Cowboys have their sights set on something bigger.
NEXT: Cowboys Coach Comments On Brett Maher's Off Night