NFL Fans Were Confused Over Cowboys' Clock Management At End of First Half

The Cowboys’ clock management had fans scratching their heads.

In Week 6's Monday night matchup, the Cowboys settled for a field goal at the end of the first half against the Chargers. That left fans confused at why coach Mike McCarthy seemingly opted against taking a shot for the end zone.

Dallas had two timeouts left with the ball on the 17-yard line, and could have had eight seconds left on the clock had McCarthy called a quick timeout. Instead, the Cowboys’ head coach let the clock run down to just three seconds before using his timeout, bringing out the field goal unit instead of allowing Dak Prescott to attempt throwing a touchdown pass.

The field goal was successful and Dallas took a 10–7 lead into halftime, but fans were perplexed by McCarthy’s hesitancy in calling the timeout. Fans shared their bewilderment on social media, questioning the decision from McCarthy.

so with 8 seconds left and 2 timeouts Mike McCarthy really told the ref he didn’t want to call a timeout until 3 seconds so he could settle for a FG????? pic.twitter.com/33IPGVpyE7

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 17, 2023

8 seconds left on the Pollard catch, McCarthy calls for a timeout but then tells official he wanted the clock to run before calling the TO. He had two timeouts. He had a chance to take a shot, especially with multiple timeouts. https://t.co/RGRVtey7D4

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 17, 2023

Sorry, give me 8 seconds on the clock with another shot at the end zone. That's enough time to at least try something.

— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) October 17, 2023

Mike McCarthy saving his third timeout as if it carries into future like salary-cap space. Bizarre clock management to conclude first half. Cowboys lead 10-7 after Brandon Aubrey field goal.

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 17, 2023

Mike McCarthy!!!!!!!

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) October 17, 2023

Interesting decision here by Mike McCarthy. After Tony Pollard caught the pass there were 8 seconds left and instead of calling timeout to take shot at end zone, he lets the clock go down to three seconds.

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) October 17, 2023

So I am to understand that that's the way Mike McCarthy wanted to play it? With 8 seconds, a timeout to spare & a $40M QB?

That's so, so gross.

— David Helman (@davidhelman_) October 17, 2023

So in a tie game with eight seconds left from the Chargers 14, Mike McCarthy doesn’t use a timeout to enable his eight-year veteran, $40M QB to take a shot at the end zone?

Lets clock run to 03 and takes the FG. One possession earlier, he went for it on 4th-and-1.

Bizarre.

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) October 17, 2023

MIKE MCCARTHY WENT OUT OF HIS WAY to convince the refs to wind the clock from :08 to :03, WITH AN EXTRA TIMEOUT LEFT, so he would have no choice but to kick the FG.

What on earth are we doing here???

— nick wright (@getnickwright) October 17, 2023

Mike McCarthy. Dude.

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) October 17, 2023