So many penalties. But that was a really hard hitting game on both sides. Take that win and run.
If they don't fix the penalties, then they won't go anywhere even if they make the playoffs or win the division. It's been a theme under McCarthy, but last year they really reduced the penalties big time down the stretch which had some pundits thinking maybe they could sustain it which would make a big difference.
So far in 2023, they are 2nd worst in penalties per game and 7th worst in penalty yards per game. So it's regressed back to McCarthy's baseline. You might even live with the penalties if he got other stuff right, but his other weaknesses were on display last night as well:
1. He didn't try to run another play from inside the 15 yard line with 8 seconds left in the half and a timeout. I get not being reckless, but you gotta trust your offense there. You don't have a bottom-feeder offense. It has consistently been in the top 10 (frequently top 5ish) since you arrived in Dallas. He also let the clock tick off about 20 seconds a couple plays before that. A competent time-management there should have produced several legit shots at the end zone.
2. Sticking with the draw run up the middle that wasn't there the entire night. I get that the draw is a bread and butter run for the Dallas offense, but you have speed with Pollard (and even Turpin)....why are you not at least trying to get him the ball on the edge more if the middle isn't working? Passing the ball was quite effective too. He still seems too stubborn rather than adjusting to the game. I'm not advocating abandoning the draw after a couple series....but they should have mixed in more edge runs and other types of "defacto" run plays in the 2nd half.
3. Situational awareness....this one is partially on Dak too, but McCarthy is the guy who needs to be screaming to him......after the botched substitution by LAC gave Dallas a clean 25 sec play clock with 2:40 left, they snapped it almost right away instead of ticking it down to 2:15ish before snapping (or forcing LAC to use one of their last 2 TOs).....it didn't come back to haunt them, but it certainly could have.