Cowboys fans won't care for Mike McCarthy's explanation on controversial call but it's the correct one

One of the few disappointing moments of the Dallas Cowboys' dominant 33-17 win over the Cleveland Browns came at the end of the first half, when All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey had a chance at etching his name in NFL history with a 66-yard field goal, which would've tied Justin Tucker's record for longest field goal ever.

Unfortunately, the Cowboys were called for delay of game, which knocked them back five yards. Aubrey, having actually kicked the ball through the uprights in the called-back attempt, had a chance at hitting it from 71 yards out and become the lone owner of the NFL record.

Instead, McCarthy sent the offense back to attempt a Hail Mary. The decision was controversial among fans and media as many thought Aubrey deserved the shot at rewriting the history books. But ultimately, the Cowboys head coach had a simple yet totally reasonable explanation to the decision to not attempt it.

“Definitely, especially because he hit it, too," McCarthy told reporters when asked if he was disappointed by Aubrey not being able to hit the 66-yarder. "I just got a little nervous when they put the returner back there on the 71 or 72.”

McCarthy getting nervous about it led him to the correct decision. Five yards is a lot and the Cowboys would've been risking a return with players specialized in blocking, not tackling, on the field. Watching live, I immediately thought of the 2013 Alabama vs. Auburn Iron Bowl and the infamous "Kick Six."

At that point in the game, the Cowboys were up 20-3 with the game under control. At that point, McCarthy has to put things in the balance. Worst case scenario, you allow a return that cuts down the lead to 20-10 with the Browns receiving the ball in the second half. Best case scenario, you go up by three. I hate to be the downer here, but it would've been an ego-fueled decision to move forward with the 71-yard attempt.

As far as the delay of game goes, McCarthy takes responsibility for the mistake but thinks the clock should've been stopped by officials.

"Well, just with the transition of it, we were set, they were substituting," McCarthy said. "I think there’s a human nature component to it where you hold up for the snap. But at the end of the day, we’re responsible for the clock. It’s unfortunate because it was an excellent kick by Brandon.”

But even though the head coach is upset at how things played out, pumping the brakes was the right direction to take.

"I don’t know, I know it went through the uprights," said McCarthy with a laugh when told the 66-yard attempt looked like it could've been good from 71 yards. "So you’re saying I should have went for it? Okay, give it to me, don’t give me a day off of criticism, or I’d be disappointed in you.”

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