Cowboys' Mike McCarthy Defends Late Dak Prescott Run: 'That Was the Best Option'

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Scott Polacek is a featured Columnist for the Dallas Cowboys.

AP Photo/Ron Jenkins

The Dallas Cowboys made a questionable decision to run a quarterback draw with no timeouts remaining in the game, but head coach Mike McCarthy defended the call even though time expired.

He told reporters that the 49ers were protecting the sidelines to prevent Dallas from getting out of bounds with enough time to run one more play.

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Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said that the QB draw play was the best option.
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If things unfolded differently, it might have worked.

The offense had more time to line up and spike the ball, so it was better for the quarterback to go down earlier. He pushed it too much while the clock was running, which was costly.

The official could have been closer to the play, which would have prevented confusion and controversy.

The official was behind the play and trying to catch up to the quarterback when he spiked the ball, which made it more difficult for the official to spot the ball. The 49ers were unsure if they should celebrate.

There were a lot of things that had to happen for Dallas to have one more chance to score.

It could have forced the issue by attempting a pass by the sideline and hoping one of its stars could make a play. If the 49ers were playing more against a sideline route than a deep ball, it could have been a Hail Mary.

McCarthy defended the decision to call a draw even though it cost Dallas a chance at a dramatic win.