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The Cowboys had a lot to say throughout the year and leading up to the game. Prescott took some offensive players on a bonding retreat in Georgia before training camp to get their minds right.
McCarthy said the Cowboys were on the front porch the last two years and now it was time to bust the door down at the press conference to start camp, then added the slogan Carpe Omnia so his players would ‘seize everything’ this year.
When the Cowboys won the NFC East, Prescott refused to put on the hats commemorating the accomplishment because there was more to do. Star edge rusher Micah Parsons called the regular season “cute” and pointed to a legacy that’s built in the postseason. And during the week leading up to the game, DeMarcus Lawrence was asked about stopping Jones from running all over the Dallas defense again, and the veteran DE had some strong words.
Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence when asked about the key to slowing Packers RB Aaron Jones, who has 370 rushing yards and 6 rushing TDs in three games against Dallas:
“Hit him. I’ll be back there. D-Law is playing, too.”
Lawrence said this year’s Cowboys team is “way more…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 12, 2024
The Cowboys players and coaches said all these things all year just to get curb stomped by the Packers. In the end, Prescott didn’t respond well to the pressure, so it’s fair wonder if he’ll ever turn the corner or if he’s built for the big moments. He should’ve just put on the hat.
McCarthy was timid and didn’t have his team ready to play, so his message was lost, they didn’t seize anything. Lawrence didn’t back up his words as Jones embarrassed the defense again, and Parsons wasn’t a factor.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Prescott was supposed to have the mental capacity to will this team, especially after what was is considered his best season. McCarthy had changed some of his philosophies to maximize his team’s offensive potential and the duo of Lawrence and Parsons had an incredible year.
However, this foursome, along with the rest of the team, couldn’t pull it together to beat a seventh seeded team who won just nine games. In the end, the Cowboys were just like the owner, all talk, no action.
The 2023 version of the Cowboys wasn’t different after all.
