Washington head coach Ron Rivera fires back at Cowboys' Mike McCarthy

The rivalry between the Washington Football Team and the Dallas Cowboys was already heated enough. On Thursday night, there’s been a war of words between the two head coaches as Washington head coach Ron Rivera was not too pleased with Mike McCarthy’s prediction that the Cowboys were going to win on Sunday.

“You do that for a couple of reasons, 1. You want to get in our head. Secondly, he’s trying to convince his team. … He’s now made it about him…I think it’s a big mistake,” Rivera fired back on NBC4 Washington.

McCarthy’s Cowboys have a shot at the top spot in the NFC with four of their final five games left against NFC East opponents. Washington has won four in a row to move in the thick of the playoff race.

Mike McCarthy guarantees a win

When the clock hit midnight on Thursday, the Cowboys coach was permitted to return to the team facility for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19. Due to NFL protocols, the Dallas Cowboys’ frontman has been staying at a hotel since Nov. 26.

In his first press conference in two weeks, McCarthy didn’t waste time giving the media, fans, opposing coaches and players something to talk about. In a rare move, the Dallas Cowboys head coach guaranteed a victory over the Washington Football team on Sunday.

“I’m excited about what’s in front of us because we’re going to win this game. I’m confident in that.”

McCarthy is a seasoned veteran head coach with a Super Bowl on his resume, but one of his former players was alarmed by the statement.

On Speak for Yourself on FOX, former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings–who won a Super Bowl with McCarthy – gave an honest reaction about the rare move from a coach who is typically even keel.

“I wouldn’t normally mind, but I played for this coach and this is outside of the norm of Mike McCarthy if you know him, this goes against his psyche,” Jennings said. “In front of the media, when the camera is rolling, you give the politically correct answer. This is uncharacteristic of Mike McCarthy which is why I don’t like the move.”

Both teams will get to settle it on the field this Sunday.

Dallas and Washington are set to square off on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST. The game is in Washington, D.C.

On3’s Sean Labar also contributed to this report.