Sunday was never going to be easy for the Dallas Cowboys, who were without Dak Prescott. The star quarterback suffered a hamstring tear and is likely out for the season.

That means Cooper Rush would get the start. He came into the game with a 5-1 career record, with the only loss coming in his last start – against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Rush is now 0-2 against Philly and Dallas lost what he admitted was a must-win game. He was having a hard time, but he wasn’t the only one. That’s why this week’s list of winners and losers is full of disappointment.

This wasn’t the best match for Caelen Carson.

The rookie cornerback was bullied all day and was beaten often, especially by DeVonta Smith. Carson’s night could have been even worse if not for a heads-up holding penalty that resulted in a five-yard gain instead of a touchdown. Jalen Hurst also defeated Smith in a move that could have resulted in a huge payoff.

Carson is still a promising player, but he struggled on Sunday.

This has been a great season for DeMarvion Overshown. Dallas was thrilled to take him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but we had to wait a year to see what he could do after a torn ACL ended his rookie campaign.

Overshown has made up for lost time with 56 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in eight games. On Sunday he played all over the field again, starting with a tackle for no gain in the first second of the game. Slowing down Saquon Barkley wasn’t enough for him as he added a sack on 2nd-and-20 on the opening drive, setting up a 3rd-and-33.

Overshown’s night ended early due to a knee injury, leaving fans holding their breath.

Last week, Ezekiel Elliott was left behind for disciplinary reasons when the Cowboys traveled to Atlanta. Prior to this week, head coach Mike McCarthy claimed Elliott had had a great week of practice and was ready to make up for the week off.

That’s not what happened as he cost his team points towards the end of the first half. On first and goal of the six, Elliott took a handoff from Cooper Rush and fumbled the ball into the end zone. It was recovered by Cooper DeJean, ending a 13-play, 77-yard disappointment.

In his first game since Week 4, Micah Parsons had a solid outing. He recorded two sacks, one of which resulted in a fumble.

Marist Liufau recovered the ball at the six, right where they were when Zeke fumbled it away. Dallas did nothing with the ball and had to settle for three, but it was all because of Parsons.

If anyone wants to question Dak Prescott, they should just look at what the offense looked like without him this weekend.

Cooper Rush, who went 4-1 in 2022 replacing Prescott, struggled mightily. He finished 13 of 23 for 45 yards (less than two yards per attempt). His passes were consistently low and he made no attempt to stretch the field. Add in the fumble that set up a Philadelphia touchdown and this was a game to forget for Rush.

It’s clear at this point that Mike McCarthy is in the final year of his tenure in Dallas. If he gets a third chance as an NFL head coach, it may have to wait a while.

In 2024, McCarthy looks terrible. Even before Dak Prescott got hurt, they were disappointed – and it’s only gotten worse. This Sunday, he put together perhaps the worst offensive game plan of all time, which consisted mostly of passes of five yards or less.

MORE: Mike McCarthy was ashamed of himself after the latest Dallas Cowboys loss

Moreover, he continued to look as if he lacked discipline. Sure, Dallas sat Ezekiel Elliott in Week 9, but this week tried too hard to get him going. McCarthy even gave the ball back to Zeke the next time after his fumble – very different from how anyone else is treated.

We all know McCarthy’s hands are tied by Jerry Jones, but no one is shocked that he made McCarthy’s life miserable. That’s why McCarthy doesn’t get a pass; he took this job knowing the obstacles he would face. It’s also fair to ask why anyone would take the job after this debacle.

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