When making decisions in an ever-changing environment, two somewhat contradicting principles must be utilized. It is important to acknowledge and weigh new information, but overcompensating for said evidence could spoil one’s conclusion.
For the portion of the league searching for a new head coach, the playoffs are a territory to gather information on the biggest of stages, both good and bad. Players and coaches can build their legacies in the postseason, but for every winner there’s a loser, and that has downstream effects.
The Green Bay Packers came into AT&T Stadium and embarrassed the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Jordan Love introduced himself to the masses in style, leaving as much criticism for the Cowboys as there was praise for the Packers.
© Jason Parkhurst, USA TODAY
After calling the shots for a defense that gave up 415 yards in a 48-32 loss, did Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn spoil his chance at a head coaching gig?
So far, it seems Quinn has survived the shellacking. As CowboysSI.com reported, he has interviews set with the Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks.
Many anticipate a return to his old stomping grounds with the Seahawks could be in store.
How much Sunday’s action impacts those franchises is yet to be seen. Quinn is beloved by his players and has overseen successful defenses in multiple forms – Seattle’s Cover 3 and Dallas’ man-heavy defense – showing some ability to adapt to his personnel.
Yet, the San Francisco 49ers and (now) the Green Bay Packers, led by Kyle Shanahan and his protégé Matt LaFleur, have given him bouts of trouble. In a league where the wide-zone offense is taking over, teams could justifiably be scared off by Quinn’s defense down the stretch. With so many Shanahan-like teams finding success, can Quinn gameplan past one – or perhaps multiple – on the road to a Super Bowl?
The Packers had the Cowboys twisted into knots defensively. Running back Aaron Jones ran 21 times for 118 yards and a hat trick of scores. Love’s playoff debut was one for the ages, completing 16 of 21 attempts for 272 yards and three touchdowns.
Dallas’ pass rush was nullified, and the corners that stepped up for so long came crashing down, regularly beaten by receivers most of the public found out about on Sunday. Simply put, the Cowboys laid an egg.
How much one game matters in the grand scheme of things is likely above our pay grade, but Quinn’s candidacy is one of contradiction. He led the Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl and watched as he gave up the most infamous comeback in recent memory. His Dallas defenses dominated – until they didn’t. There’s as good of an argument for Quinn getting a second chance at head coach as there are cold feet from the teams giving him an interview.
And one more contradiction: CowboysSI.com has suggested that the fate of Mike McCarthy in Dallas could in theory make Quinn the new head coach here – a twisted “reward” for what just occurred.
