Pressure Cooker: How Does Cowboys' McCarthy & Prescott Duo Rank?
FRISCO - Historically speaking, it’s nearly impossible to win a Super Bowl without having elite talent at quarterback and head coach.
With Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy taking over the play-calling duties in 2023, there will be some notable changes to how the Cowboys go about their business offensively this season.
In theory, less will be placed on quarterback Dak Prescott's shoulders with McCarthy's "Texas Coast Offense'' featuring more short, crisp passes that allow the skill position players to do their thing in open space.
Prescott vows to improve on his NFL-high 15 interceptions (and two in the playoffs) from last season. The offense will also undoubtedly look different without running back Ezekiel Elliott and with the addition of wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
Together, Prescott and McCarthy have won one playoff game. This season, the Cowboys look to add to back-to-back 12-win seasons with the ultimate goal of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Sports Illustrated poses the question: Are McCarthy and Prescott under the most pressure this season in the entire NFL?
"McCarthy has a Super Bowl ring and yet most believe he’s a subpar coach who consistently makes bad in-game decisions," writes SI. "Meanwhile, Prescott led the league in interceptions last season despite missing a month. Now, with the Cowboys loaded with talent, it’s on the coach and quarterback to take Dallas to the Super Bowl, somewhere it hasn’t been since 1995."
SI ranked the Cowboys tandem as No. 17 collectively; a combination of Prescott's No. 10 ranking and McCarthy at No. 21. Dallas has the sixth-best odds to win the Super Bowl this season.
Unsurprisingly, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid topped the poll as the league's best duo, as the only current combo to have won two Super Bowls together.
