Can Mike McCarthy survive this? Cowboys' playoff meltdown jeopardizes coach's job security

ARLINGTON, Texas — These are the kinds of embarrassments that can get a coach fired.

Especially when it happens for the Dallas Cowboys at JerryWorld.

Visions of the franchise's first Super Bowl in 28 years went up in smoke at AT&T Stadium on Sunday as the Green Bay Packers trounced Dallas, 48-32, in a stunning NFC wild-card playoff opener.

The shocker snapped Dallas' home winning streak at 16 games and immediately fuels speculation that Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy's job is in jeopardy after a performance that was so thoroughly inept that it has to force franchise owner Jerry Jones to again assess whether to move forward with the status quo.

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When he met with media outside the locker room after the game, Jones would not specifically address whether he'll retain or fire McCarthy, who has one year remaining on a five-year contract. Yet the shock and disappointment on Jones' face was palatable. This latest setback does not sit well.

He knows the deal. As much as McCarthy is on the hot seat, so is Dallas' gregarious team owner himself -- by association.

"I know where the responsibility starts and ends," Jones said. "I've got that real clear."

Jones, who also serves as his own general manager, said that he had not yet thought of when he would meet with McCarthy to discuss the season – and its humiliating ending. That could occur as early as Monday, as Jones mentioned to USA TODAY Sports that he has to re-arrange his schedule to deal with the end-of-season matters involving players and staff.

"Certainly, I have the background in what happens after you lose a playoff game," Jones said. "I've got too much experience with that."

A week earlier, when asked about McCarthy's security following a victory at Washington that sealed the NFC East crown, Jones was non-committal. As reported by The Fort Worth Star-Telegram,Jones said, "We'll see how each game goes in the playoffs."

Well, Jerry, now we see. 

Each game became one game, as in one-and-done. 

The questions about McCarthy's status are suddenly more relevant than ever.

"I don't know how he can be (in jeopardy)," defended Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. "But I understand the business. In that case, it should be about me as well. Honestly. That guy, I've had the season I've had because of him. This team's had the kind of success they've had because of him. I understand it's about winning the Super Bowl. That's the standard of the league, and damn sure the standard at this place. I get it. Add me to the list in that case."

Don't worry, Dak. You're on the list as a classic playoff underachiever. Prescott just had his best regular season, leading the league with 36 touchdown passes and positioning himself for several weeks as a frontrunner for MVP honors. But his showing on Sunday, when he was outplayed by young Packers quarterback Jordan Love, adds fresh layers to the criticism that Prescott bombs in the playoffs.

This time, Prescott threw two costly interceptions that led to a pair of touchdowns that fueled the 27-0 Green Bay lead in the first half that proved to be insurmountable. The first pickoff, by Jaire Alexander, came when Dallas was backed on its own end of the field late in the first quarter. It appeared the throw was behind intended target Brandin Cooks. Alexander snagged the errant pass at Dallas' 19-yard line, setting up the second of Aaron Jones' three rushing touchdowns.

The other pick killed a drive late in the second quarter as Prescott looked to connect with CeeDee Lamb on a slant pattern. Savage read the play perfectly. He stepped in for the interception and returned it 64 yards for a touchdown.

Like Jones, Lamb and others, Prescott used words like "shock" and "disappointment" to describe what went down.

Yet the assessment of Jones undoubtedly matters most, given his power to make changes.

Asked how much weight he will put on the playoff loss when compared to the regular season, Jones was blunt in expressing that he "will give a lot to today."

Call it one clue that gives insight into Jones' thinking. Yet there are plenty of questions to consider. To wit:

Did the Cowboys scratch and claw to win the NFC East title for this? After earning the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs that could have assured Dallas of two postseason home games, the Cowboys left with the unsavory distinction of being the first team during the expanded playoffs to lose against a seventh seed.

"Everybody thought we were in position to advance this thing and maybe take us as far as our dreams would take us," Jones said.

Yet it turned into something entirely different.

As Jones put it, "This is one of my most shocking surprises since I've been involved in sports."

Other questions:

Considering how flat the Cowboys were across the board in falling behind 27-0 in the first half, did McCarthy have his team ready to play?

Will Prescott ever change the narrative about his lackluster performances in the playoffs?

Whatever happened to the big-play defense? Love, in his first season as the successor to Aaron Rodgers, scorched the Cowboys for 272 yards and three touchdowns with a nearly perfect 157.2 passer rating. He was never sacked and stung the defense for a series of big-play highlights.

Is McCarthy – who spearheaded a prolific offense after taking over the play-calling duties this season but is just 1-3 in postseason with the Cowboys – still viewed as the man to lead Dallas back to championship glory?

Will the huge loss impact the value of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, projected by many as one of the hottest head coaching candidates on the market?

Could Dallas be a landing spot for Bill Belichick?

Jones insisted that he hasn't thought about the market for coaches, which now includes big names such as Belichick and Jim Harbaugh. He wouldn't acknowledge feeling any pressure to consider the market. At least not as of Sunday night.

"The only thing I'm feeling right now is that I'm feeling disappointed," he said.

Then again, there will suddenly be time in the coming days – more than he thought he had – to consider what to do next.

How Jones responds will determine the course for what promises to be a very long offseason for the Cowboys.

Again.