The Dallas Cowboys may have won their first road playoff game since 1993 on Monday night, but their kicking situation has suddenly become an issue.
In the 34-14 win over the Tampa Bay BuccaneersDallas kicker Brett Maher became the first kicker to miss four PAT attempts in a game since tracking the stat began in 1932.
Brett Maher of the Dallas Cowboys kicks against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 29, 2022 in Nashville.
(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
In the fourth quarter, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. he refused to send Maher in for a 35-yard field goal attempt, electing instead to do it on fourth-and-four.
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And while the decision paid off, Dallas scored on a CeeDee Lamb landing — McCarthy told reporters after the game that the Cowboys will need Maher to move forward.
«We need Brett,» McCarthy said, according to NFL.com. «He understands that, so we have to pick him up this week and get him ready to play. Obviously, kicking around an outdoor stadium in Santa Clara. Yeah, he’s disappointed. We need him. We need him to focus on He’s been super key for us all the time. year, but that’s the plan.
Brett Maher of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after missing an extra point against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of an NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.
(Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Prior to Monday night, Maher had missed just three of his 53 extra point attempts this season.
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He had also been a reliable field goal kicker, making 29 of 32 field goal attempts.
After the match, quarterback Dak Prescott, who was visibly frustrated on the sideline after one of Maher’s four misses, backed up the fourth-year kicker.
«I’m the biggest Money Maher fan,» Prescott said. «Obviously they showed me the video, and that’s just emotion. That’s part of it. But I talked to him individually, just told him after the game, ‘Hey, let him go. We’re going to need you. ‘»
Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter of a wild card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.
(Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
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«I mean, I just played as s — a week ago. That happens. But when you believe in each other, when you believe in what we’re capable of, knowing what that guy’s done, the resilience he’s shown Throughout his career, personally, there’s no doubt that he will come back next week and be perfect and help us win.»
The Cowboys will travel to Santa Clara to play the san francisco 49ers on Sunday night in the NFC divisional round.