Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones insisted he was “proud” of his side after putting aside the disappointment of elimination before recording a stunning win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Cowboys were officially eliminated from play-off contention before they kicked off on Sunday night after Washington Commanders beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the final seconds.
But despite that crushing blow, the Cowboys put in a performance to be proud of as they secured a 26-24 victory over the playoff-chasing Buccaneers, who lost their place at the top of AFC South as a result.
Without injured quarterback Dak Prescott and with the head coach of McCarthy still in question, the Cowboys (7-8) won for the fourth time in five games.
“Proud of those guys, boy,” Jones said. “They wouldn’t give it up out there. So I’m real proud of them, and Mike McCarthy, he just won’t let them not think that they’re not playing for a Super Bowl out there.
“There’s a lot of players with a lot of wins in that locker room the last three seasons,” Rush said. “So, we know what it’s about. We know who we are as competitors and when you’re playing football, you’re competing to win.”
Quarterback Cooper Rush enojyed one of the best games of the season as he threw for 226 yards in the first half, with a touchdown pass to Tolbert. Ezekiel Elliott scored a one-yard touchdown on his only carry of the game, giving him 72 in his Cowboys career.
“Before the game, it was a real punch to the gut to say the least,” McCarthy said. “You just kind of take that moment to sit back and watch, watch some of the guys warm up, watch the interactions in the locker room.
“Wasn’t much different than a normal game. You’re just wanting to keep your mind in it, too, and stay focused. I thought our guys did a hell of a job
“I just love the way our team plays,” McCarthy aded. “I just can’t say enough about the locker room. Their pride. Their character. Their toughness. Resiliency.”
McCarthy’s contract expires at the end of the season and while Jones had nothing but positive things to say about the coach and his team, the 82-year-old refused to be drawn on the boss’ future.
“All I can say is what a good job, how good a job he’s doing,” Jones said. “Don’t have thoughts that I would share as to anything about what we do … after we’re through playing this year.”
