FRISCO, Texas — It was a question that would normally draw scoffs or eye rolls.
Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy was not only game but he was in full agreement.
Never mind that this is just Week 3 of a long season and the Cowboys remain a work in progress in terms of getting on the same page with a new staff and new schemes.
Per McCarthy, Sunday’s matchup at the undefeated Seattle Seahawks and sizzling-hot quarterback Russell Wilson is a measuring stick game for the Cowboys, who are still likely riding on Cloud 9 following last week’s 20-point comeback victory against the Atlanta Falcons for their first win of the season.
“I think that’s a fair outlook. I’m looking at it as we need to take a big step and go win a game against an excellent opponent that’s playing extremely well on offense,” McCarthy said. “That’s really the focus that I have and the tightness of it.
“Frankly, we’ll be talking about the Dallas Cowboys the rest of the way because we need to improve. We need to do the basic functions of a football game better. That will be the key to our victory as we finish this preparation.”
McCarthy made those initial comments on Thursday.
He softened a bit on Friday when asked again, acknowledging that measuring stick games generally come later in the season but didn’t back down on the Cowboys needing to get a win against a good opponent.
“The biggest thing I’m measuring is our self scout,” McCarthy said. “Are we doing things necessary to put our players in position to be successful each and every play? Are the players doing things necessary from a communication perspective and alignment perspective to be successful? And can we create continuity and consistency necessary to win? That is really the measuring stick I am looking at. We spoke about the opponent and the things we need to do.
“It’s important for this Dallas Cowboys team to take a step. Take a step in the right direction as far as our perfection, our discipline, particularly with the football and our ability to make big plays.”
Most importantly, the Cowboys need to take a step and show they can beat a team with a winning record.
One reason McCarthy is here is because the Cowboys failed to do that in 2019, going 2-6 against teams with a winning record as a part of an 8-8 finish and out of the playoffs, resulting in the firing of then-coach Jason Garrett.
As good as they feel about rallying from a 20-point deficit to beat the Falcons last week, last year’s woes are not lost on the players, especially after opening the season with a loss at the Los Angeles Rams (2-0).
“I don’t know (about Seattle about a measuring stick game),” receiver Amari Cooper said. “But what I do know is they’re a really good team. Obviously they’re undefeated and playing a lot of good football especially offensively. Any time you can go into a place and beat an undefeated team at their place, it says a lot about what you have on your team.”
Quarterback Dak Prescott said a win against Seattle would be a huge confidence builder for the Cowboys early in the season.
“Yeah, I mean that’s the plan, obviously the plan is to go up there and get a win,” Prescott said. “And when you do that, knowing that this team is good, this team is hot, they got a hot quarterback right now. But it just allows the confidence to grow, but it’s a step we must take and it’s something we must do to get to where we want to go.”
A win would also be huge for Prescott in his quest for a new contract after the season. He was unable to come to terms with the Cowboys in the offseason and he is playing in 2020 on the franchise tag of $31.4 million.
Last season’s stench of just two wins against teams with a winning record has been used as a narrative for those who question whether he deserves to be paid among the top quarterbacks in the game like Wilson, whose $35 million annual contract as the third highest player in the game is now the baseline for any future deal for Prescott.
Never mind that Prescott owns a playoff victory against Wilson and last season’s woes were not on the quarterback, especially considering it was the best season of his career with 4,902 yards passing and with 30 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions.
It also matters not that he set an NFL record with 450 passing yards and three rushing touchdowns in leading the comeback victory against the Falcons to win NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Wilson has been the best player in the NFL through two games with nine touchdowns passes to just 11 incompletions.
It goes without saying that a win on Sunday would be a big boost for Prescott as well as the Cowboys.
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