Cowboys 33, Panthers 10
Q. Just coming off the big win last week and a game on Thursday, just how you felt the team performed and kind of focused on this game to get ready?
MIKE McCARTHY: I fell like we came here and did what we needed to do. It was important to get the seventh win. We won by three scores, so I was glad to get some guys some playing time in the fourth quarter. Overall it was a healthy victory for us.
I haven't been to the training room yet, but it looks like we came out of the game pretty healthy, which is probably most important part of this trip outside of the victory.
Q. In the fourth quarter, I mean, that's on your mind. Turning around in five days --
MIKE McCARTHY: Yeah, definitely. It's something that we talked about with coordinators beforehand. I don't really like to do that, but it's not our first time being on this schedule. It's a challenge.
So, like I said, I thought this was obviously a win we had to have. It was an NFC win. We're obviously glad to be healthy, and we'll move on to the Washington Commanders.
Q. When did you know about Jimmy going to the Ring of Honor before the game, and what's your thoughts on Jimmy and his coaching career being in the Ring of Honor?
MIKE McCARTHY: I found out when Jimmy and Jerry showed up in my locker room. That was cool.
Yeah, I tell you, I really enjoyed the time together. I love doing everything in front of cameras all the time, but it was just awesome to see them two together. It was really cool.
They finish each other's sentences, and I know Jimmy is very touched by it, but obviously very fortunate to have that time with both of them. Obviously very happy for Coach Jones.
Q. Did you worry about that taking anything away from the focus of the game, or was that inspirational for your team?
MIKE McCARTHY: I'll be honest with you, from my perspective and I think the locker room's perspective, it was such a spur of the moment because there was -- I don't know who was aware of that outside of -- or locker room or anyone else outside of the locker room.
Q. DaRon Bland (indiscernible). Four pick-six ties an NFL record. Talk about that accomplishment.
MIKE McCARTHY: Just a remarkable young player. I think you just watch the way he plays, and it's a great example of the details that he plays with, especially for a young corner. The shallow crossing route kind of drifted upfield a little bit. He cuts under it and takes a perfect angle and makes a huge play.
I just can't say enough about him. He's done it since the first day. He's played so well last year for us, and he's having an incredible season.
Q. The timing of it too to come right after you take -- retake control of the game with that long touchdown drive that you guys had to have him kind of cement it. Did the timing of that --
MIKE McCARTHY: Yeah, they responded. I think the thing in this game, there was a lot of long drives. There wasn't a lot of big momentum swings in the game. That was clearly the biggest one.
That's part of our play style. That's part of our complementary football. So that in my view was the biggest play that was made today. Those plays change the course of games, and that clearly put us in the driver's seat.
Q. And Tony's touchdown run, just the finish, the way that he finished, what did you think?
MIKE McCARTHY: Another excellent play. Not only the fact that -- the run, but how he did it and just the inside zone. We had some moments earlier where we did a better job. I thought I gave the guys better looks in the second half.
A lot of good to come out of this, and frankly, we're not going to spend a whole lot of time. We'll be watching Washington on the way home. I'm sorry I'm not here to go ticky-tack with you on stats today. I apologize. My mind is already on to the next one.
Q. You talk about Pollard and getting him going. You guys have expressed confidence in him, but he had a big game today. How important is that for his confidence?
MIKE McCARTHY: He's human. He needs to have those touches because we all know what he can do. I don't see Tony playing with any lack of confidence.
We've had a good week of practice. It wasn't the best week of practice, but it was a good solid week of practice, and we cut down on some things, part of this three games in 14 days or whatever it is.
But, yeah, I don't see Tony as someone that -- Tony in my view is a proven player.
Q. What happened with CeeDee and Dak today?
MIKE McCARTHY: What do you mean?
Q. He didn't break any records.
MIKE McCARTHY: Well, Mike McCord can probably use a little relief. He was running out of footballs.
Q. Quick clarification. When you said Jimmy and Jerry showed up in your locker room, how much before the game was that?
MIKE McCARTHY: It was right before the referees showed up because they had to wait for us. Whatever time that was, that's when they arrived.
Q. Micah Parsons, the impact he had after not registering on the stat sheet last week, how big was it for him?
MIKE McCARTHY: I just think, like anything, when Micah gets his opportunities, he is going to cash in, too. I thought they played him all ball and tried to win the sticks and push the piles and so forth. He did an excellent job of getting to ball to Adam in third down.
We felt confident when we get our pass rush going that we'll be productive, and obviously Micah was a big part of that today.
Q. We've talked to you about just the streak that CeeDee has been on. You talked the other day about kind of resetting. Well, now that this is established, teams are going to have to play us a little differently. Was this an example of it tonight? Again, a good example of some games we don't need to feed you as much as we have in the past months?
MIKE McCARTHY: Well, I think today -- I'll give credit. They were down corners, but they came and played aggressive, no different than they have been playing.
They tried to match us. They stayed on par with the pressure. He has been 54% pressure coming into today. I'm sure the numbers were in that range again too.
Yeah, they're going to be tilting coverage to him. That's just part of who he is and how we utilize him. It's important for myself and the offensive coaches to keep creating opportunities for him.
Q. From the sideline Micah Parsons threw up a couple of times in the first half. Was he sick?
MIKE McCARTHY: To my understanding, he had an energy drink that I guess hadn't drank before, but he is fine. He's not sick. Sounds like he had a little stomach reaction to that.
I think it worked out for him all right, though. Maybe he should drink it next week too.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports