While the Cowboys did easily defeat the Buccaneers in their NFC wild card matchup, the entire build-up to Sunday’s divisional round game against the Niners has surrounded the kicking game.
And judging from pregame warmups, that conversation isn’t going to stop.
Cowboys kicker Brett Maher missed four extra points in that wild card win. It was such a shocking performance that quarterback Dak Prescott was caught on tape urging the coaches to go for two every time instead (he later said it was just an emotional response and talked it over with Maher). But the Cowboys did decide to stick with Maher for Sunday. His performance in pregame warmups didn’t inspire confidence, though.
Jerry Jones walks to the field to speak with Brett Maher and holder Bryan Anger. pic.twitter.com/Sci7tYw5O9
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 22, 2023
Maher just missed 2 more and Jerry Jones literally walked on to the field to talk to him. I have NEVER seen that before. https://t.co/GlMrnA0fjP
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) January 22, 2023
According to reporters at Levi’s Stadium, Maher struggled throughout warmups. And after missing a pair of kicks, owner Jerry Jones came onto the field to give Maher a pep talk. This came after Jones adamantly supported Maher earlier in the week.
And on top of that, the Cowboys staff did not appreciate some gamesmanship by the Niners where they got in the way of Maher’s warmups.
49ers players trying to prevent Brett Maher from kicking pregame field goals pic.twitter.com/2v1g9HnPkz
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 22, 2023
But a pep talk from Jones? Fans had plenty of thoughts about that.
This was how Twitter reacted
oh so this is really gonna be a thing https://t.co/NzlRX3qS2G
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) January 22, 2023
I don’t see how this will help him whatsoever. The more attention is brought to him, the more he’ll think about it, the worse he’ll play. Just got to let Maher do his thing… and pray #Cowboys https://t.co/VCkRj9rTJw
— Dan Turner (@dtsturner) January 22, 2023
Worth monitoring https://t.co/2VcZFs5MtK
— chris long (@JOEL9ONE) January 22, 2023
The #Cowboys might not try a PAT all game … https://t.co/TF6RW4cwm2
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) January 22, 2023
oh, this is going to be *something* https://t.co/Es9cjKInF4
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) January 22, 2023
I know Jason Peters is hurt but can't he just go tell Maher no more misses? It worked once before. https://t.co/BnAVcuZt7W
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) January 22, 2023
what is the opposite of a motivational speaker https://t.co/JvftbOlj1m
— kilgore trout, death to putiner (@KT_So_It_Goes) January 22, 2023
oh boy lmao https://t.co/k6y4w2HpNz
— Natalie Weiner (@natalieweiner) January 22, 2023
Cowboys gonna get bullied into calling this game the way the analytics nerds want them to by their kicker having the yips. https://t.co/iw7VbZqB9V
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) January 22, 2023
To be honest, I’m not sure how Jones’ pep talk could have taken away pressure from Maher. If anything, it would make matters worse.
