Mike McCarthy comments on Cowboys playing starters instead of resting

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy commented about the decision to have his starters playing in the final game of the season and not resting. Dallas will be closing out their regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night, and quarterback Dak Prescott will be playing as the Cowboys look to sweep the NFC East with a perfect divisional record.

Mike McCarthy on Cowboys starters playing

“We’re approaching it the right way,” McCarthy said on the 105.3 The FAN pregame radio show. “We want healthy momentum going into next week. It’s the momentum chase we’re after. We don’t care who they play. This is about us. There’s so much to gain out of this.”

A win for Dallas would mean a chance at the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, guaranteeing homefield advantage through their first two rounds. A loss could mean slotting in at the fourth seed. If Dallas wins and the Cardinals, the Buccaneers and the Rams all lose, they would secure second in the NFC.

With a win and a Rams loss, the Cowboys would be the third seed. If the Rams or Cardinals win their games, then Dallas automatically becomes the fourth seed.

The Eagles made the decision to sit their quarterback Jalen Hurts and most of their key players, making the Cowboys the favorites.

Cowboys without key defensive players

Donovan Wilson travelled with the team to Philadelphia despite illness and is active for the game. Rookie star Micah Parsons and safety Jayron Kearse were both placed on the team’s COVID-19 list and are unavailable for the game. Cornerback Trevon Diggs is also out on Sunday, along with running back Tony Pollard as the team did not bring them to Philadelphia. Diggs is listed as having an illness, while the team is being cautious with Pollard’s injury heading into the playoffs.

With Diggs missing on Saturday, his regular season ends with 11 interceptions, tying Everson Walls’ single-season record. Parsons will also end his regular season with 13 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Kearse will miss his last chance to add onto his tackles this season as he sits with 67 solo tackles on the year and 101 total. If he remains the tackling leader, he would be the first safety since Barry Church in 2014 to lead the Cowboys in tackles for a season. His closest competition is Parsons with 64 solo and 84 total tackles, who is also out on Saturday.