The Cowboys looked like they might finally break through for a deep run in the postseason at points in 2021, with an explosive, multi-faceted offense paired with an improved, opportunistic defense. That idea came crashing down on Sunday night, with a 23–17 home loss in the to the 49ers on Super Wild Card Weekend.
Dallas fell into a 23-7 hole against a bruising San Francisco attack early on, and it failed to capitalize on its opponent's own fourth-quarter woes. After a bizarre quarterback draw call for Dak Prescott with 14 seconds left in the game wound up preventing the team from getting a final shot at the end zone, fans and analysts are questioning coach Mike McCarthy, with some going so far as to call for his job after two seasons. Marcus Spears, a former Cowboys defensive end and current NFL analyst for ESPN, is among those who want McCarthy's time in Dallas to come to an end.
