Barring a New York miracle, the end is here for Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett
Jason Garrett is likely taking the field at AT&T Stadium for the final time as coach of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
It’s the final game of a disappointing regular season that has the Cowboys sitting on the outside of the playoffs and needing some help.
The Cowboys must beat the Washington Redskins and then hope the Philadelphia Eagles lose to the New York Giants, giving the Cowboys the NFC East title and a trip to the playoffs.
Short of that, Garrett is coaching his last game. He is in the final year of his contract, and there is no expectation of an extension, barring a miracle.
Heading into Sunday’s game, Garrett said he’s “taking the same approach as I’ve always taken.”
“Don’t really think that much about that stuff,” Garrett said of the rumors regarding his job status.
On when he’ll focus on his future?
“I guess some point in the future,” Garrett said.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, who will be a free agent after the season, declined to discuss Garrett’s status this week.
“I think it’s the last game on mine as well,” Prescott said. “So I be damned if I speak on anybody else’s future or their place.”
Since Garrett took over for the fired Wade Phillips midway through the 2010 season, the Cowboys have gone 84-67, including 2-3 in the postseason.
He has won two division titles and could get a third with a miracle Sunday.
Or it would be his swan song.
If it is, a win Sunday would be fitting, as the Cowboys would finish 8-8 for the fourth time under Garrett.
Here are Five Things to Watch vs. the Redskins:
Will Cowboys be watching Eagles’ score?
The fate of the Cowboys’ playoff chances are no longer under their control.
They must beat the Washington Redskins and then hope the New York Giants defeat the Philadelphia Eagles.
Both games will start at 3:25 p.m.
So will the Cowboys do a little scoreboard watching during their game?
The answer is mixed.
“Nah. I mean, we’ve got our hands full enough,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “We’ve got to worry about what we can control. It’s as simple as that. Control what we can control. Be our best in our game, and at the end of it, we’ll figure out what happened in that one.”
Receiver Amari Cooper said he is going to be focused during our game but allowed that he might glance at the score on big screen at AT&T Stadium.
“I do when it comes across. I’ll probably check it out,” Cooper said. “It’s usually during a timeout or something.”
Tight end Jason Witten said he is focusing just on the Cowboys game.
“I’ve got too much respect for the opponent. There’s nothing I can do to impact that game. I’d advise teammates to do the same thing. I’m sure we’ll hear about it. You can’t worry about that. It’s too hard of a game. Once you start dabbling a hand in that, it never works out that way.
“You know that old saying, tunnel vision. I think that’s when it comes in handy. I’m sure some people will be aware. Not me. You’ve just got to tune it out, play ball, man. Take care of what we can take care of. We put ourselves in this situation. Go handle what we can. Had an opportunity, and we let it slip last week. Now let’s see if it can’t work out for us.”
Injured Dak still gives Cowboys best chance to win
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott didn’t practice all week and will only cut it loose in pregame warmups because of a sprained right shoulder.
But Prescott will play against the Redskins on Sunday because he gives the Cowboys the best chance to win, per owner Jerry Jones. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush will remain on the sideline.
“I think, without a question, he gives us the best chance to win,’ Jones said. “Other than the fact that I want to believe, and I do, that even though he hasn’t practiced, he still gives us the best chance, as opposed to the alternative. That would be my question. Do we have him as ready as somebody like Rush, who has been out there all week, that has gotten all the throws in, or are we compromising ourselves from that standpoint? Is he ready to go?
“I felt good about him starting all week and playing, although he had no practice. The coaches did, too, but I did, too. Those are the kinds of things I’m interested in. Can he help us win this ballgame? Make no mistake about it. Winning this game is very, very important to me. It’s important to the team. It’s important to all the players that are involved.”
The situation is the same for Prescott as it was leading up to last week’s 17-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He completed 25 of 44 passes for 265 yards. He missed some throws, but he also had to deal with six drops by receivers.
“Very confident that he can play,” vice president Stephen Jones said. “I know obviously there’s some criticism on ball placement from the media types, but I actually thought that Dak played well. I know if he needs to step it up in his mind, then I’m sure he’ll even improve on last week.”
Is this the end for Witten?
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten might finally be at the end of the road.
He came out of a one-year retirement to return to the Cowboys in 2019, marking his 16th season in the NFL.
He acknowledges he has a decision to make when the season is over, and he plans to make a decision pretty quickly.
“Sure, it’s a possibility,” Witten said. “I’m aware of that, but really, one of the things when I came back to play I was committed to going out there and playing every game and opportunity. So fortunate to do it. There will be time to make that decision, but I do not envision this being my last game.”
When Witten returned to the Cowboys after spending last year with ESPN, he did so because he still believed he could play, and he believed the Cowboys had the makings of a Super Bowl team.
He didn’t envision a 7-8 mark heading into the final game with the only hope of making the playoffs depending on the New York Giants to upset the Philadelphia Eagles, along with a Cowboys win over the Washington Redskins.
But he has no regrets.
“Look, it doesn’t always go where you’re going to get a 13-3 (record) and a (No. 1) seed, and a bye, and home playoff games throughout,” Witten said. “Sure, you think about playing in those games, and that’s what drives you is winning championships. I knew for this to be successful, it’s kind of like a quarterback: You’ve got to win games. But I’m proud of the way I played and still have an opportunity in front of us. Yeah, 100 percent, I’ve got conviction it was the right thing to do and proud of the way I’ve gone about it.”
Witten, who already holds the franchise record for receptions, receiving yards, games played and games started, could become the all-time leader in touchdown receptions. He needs one to tie and two to surpass Dez Bryant’s record of 73 touchdown catches.
Lee not focused on future yet
This could be linebacker Sean Lee’s final game in a Cowboys uniform, if not in his career.
He took a pay cut and signed a one-year deal to return in 2019. But his contract expires at the end of the season — possibly Sunday, or later if the Cowboys make the playoffs.
The latter is all he is focused on for now.
“I mean that’s to me, it’s stick to your preparation,” Lee said. “We have to win this game, obviously, and we need some situational things to help us. So to me this is a team from an offensive standpoint, they’ve scored a lot of points, they’ve played well, got an incredible [Hall of Fame] running back who I and the defense has to try and stop. So your focus goes right to that.”
Lee acknowledges he has some decisions to make whenever the offseason comes, and he plans to do so by the start of free agency in March.
That he played all 16 games after being slowed by injuries the past few years gives him the confidence that he can continue on, if he so chooses.
“Being 10 years in, I think it’s natural for all players, especially at 10 years, to say, ‘OK where am I at physically? What’s the right thing to do for me and my family?’” Lee said. “So I’ll do that in the offseason, for sure, but that’s going to come whenever that comes. I’m happy that I was able to be consistently on the field and, in a lot of situations, being able to help and being effective. That was a plus for me, and that will be part of the evaluation, obviously.
“There’s no question there’s more confidence at the end of this year than there was last year about being consistent, about being able to stay on the field and being able to have a role and help. That’s what hurt me the most was not being able to fulfill the role, particularly last year. Preparing for a game, getting ready for a game, then I’m out four weeks, feeling like, ‘Hey, there’s no role you’re really helping with.’ That’s been a big plus, being able to be consistent.”
Jones, Lawrence among other injured Cowboys
A lot of attention has been focused quarterback Dak Prescott’s availability for Sunday’s season finale.
But he is not the only walking wounded. Cornerback Byron Jones missed practice Friday due to an ankle injury.
He was at the team facility in a walking boot on his right foot. Jones is officially listed as questionable for the game. If he can’t go, it will be Jourdan Lewis and Chido Awuzie starting at cornerback.
Tackle Tyron Smith (back) and nose tackle Antwaun Woods (ankle) missed practice all week and will be questionable for Sunday.
Linebacker Joe Thomas was ruled out of the game with a knee injury. Justin March will likely start at strong side linebacker, with Malcolm Smith and Ray Ray Armstrong as part of the rotation.
Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was limited all week with a sprained shoulder but will play Sunday.
This story was originally published December 28, 2019 at 3:32 PM.
