Mike McCarthy 'disappointed' with overtime penalty decision in Green Bay loss

After a tough loss to the Green Bay Packers, Mike McCarthy claimed he was “disappointed” in a penalty called on his offense in overtime. During the final drive of the game by the Dallas Cowboys, a big run by Tony Pollard was erased by an offensive offside penalty called against wide receiver Jalen Tolbert.

According to McCarthy, Tolbert explained that he checked with the sideline judge before the play began to verify he was lined up correctly — and heard from the official that he was in the right position. Despite receiving confirmation, Tolbert was flagged on the play and the big run by Pollard was brought back.

Mike McCarthy on costly penalties against Green Bay

“After offside penalty, Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert told Mike McCarthy he checked with judge, just as WRs do throughout a game,” explained Dallas Morning News‘ Michael Gehlken. “And it still was called. ‘Disappointing’ for ruling to be made at that time, McCarthy said. Disappointed for his players. Felt they deserved to win.”

The explanation stood out extra after the tough loss for Dallas because Pollard’s run was one of two big plays for Dallas in the ground game in overtime. Another major run by Malik Davis came back after a holding call, setting up the eventual turnover-on-downs for Dallas. Green Bay capitalized on the failed drive with a game-winning field goal, dropping Dallas to 6-3 on the season.

The penalty called wasn’t the only referee decision that Dallas took issue with down the stretch, with a no-call on pass interference coming on third down later in the same drive.

After a pass was completed by Dak Prescott to Dalton Schultz to set up a third-and-three play on the edge of field goal range. Prescott threw a pass to CeeDee Lamb with Jaire Alexander defending over the top, with a replay angle shared on social media that appeared to show Alexander reaching around the front of Lamb’s body before the ball arrived. Lamb immediately calling for a flag after the play and Dallas proceeded to try on fourth-and-three again instead of kicking a field goal of over 50 yards, turning the ball over on downs.