Mike McCarthy reveals amount of faith in Greg Zuerlein

The Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was not concerned when his kicker Greg Zuerlein trotted out for the game-winning field goal against the Los Angeles Chargers. At the Cowboys’ Monday press conference McCarthy revealed why he had so much confidence in his veteran kicker.

“The line going in was 40 (yard line). In my experience, that’s something you grade your on … in the pregame. So, it’s something you just keep on your call sheet… When you’re kicking indoors it’s usually about the 40.”

The Cowboys special teams had Zuerlein’s expected range marked off from before the game kicked off. When they lined up from the Chargers’ 38-yard line, McCarthy knew it was well within his kicker’s range.

Going into the game, there was some concern over their kicker’s ability following a Thursday night loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McCarthy and the Cowboys concerned after week 1

Last week, the Cowboys brought in Hajrullahu for kicking depth after Zuerlein struggled in their Thursday Night Football season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Zuerlein spent the majority of the preseason rehabbing from a back injury.

Hajrullahu was with the Cowboys during the preseason. He signed with the team on Aug. 18 to fill in for Greg Zuerlein, who was injured at the time. He was released just a week later, when Zuerlein returned from the injury. Hajrullahu had planned a workout with the New York Giants, but instead, he elected to sign to the Cowboys practice squad.

In week one, their veteran kicker went three for five on field goals in the game — missing one from 31 yards, a distance less than an extra point try. With uncertainty looming around their kicker’s ability to play, the Cowboys played it safe and brought in an extra leg. After Sunday’s performance in Los Angeles, where Zuerlein hit a game-winner from 56 yards, Dallas is moving on from their insurance plan.

After hitting the game-winner Zuerlein was given two game balls. One for special teams in general and the other for nailing the clutch kick. McCarthy said it was “pretty easy” to give Zuerlein the game ball after securing the win for the Cowboys. He also pointed out the “he earned it” and was key to the team’s success.

The Cowboys and coach Mike McCarthy look to keep things rolling when they face one of their bitter rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. That game will be a Monday night prime-time matchup to end week three of the NFL season.