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While guaranteeing road wins in the division is a rare position for Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, he appeared to loft such a declaration Thursday in his return from COVID-19 quarantine.

“We’re going to win this game. I’m confident in that,” McCarthy said as Dallas prepares to play at Washington (6-6) on Sunday.



The Cowboys (8-4) face the Washington Football Team twice in the next three weeks. To bring some of his younger players up to speed on what’s at stake and the history behind the hatred of Washington’s franchise, McCarthy said he showed the full squad a compilation video that spells out very clearly the importance of winning in Week 14.

Dallas cannot clinch the division title on Sunday. But a win, going to 9-4 and dropping Washington to 6-7 in the standings, would grant the Cowboys breathing room in a tightly-packed playoff chase where home-field advantage remains a possibility.

McCarthy: ‘Expect to Win’

When asked if he was guaranteeing the NFC East road victory over the Cowboys’ rival, McCarthy said winning is the franchise expectation.

“What am I supposed to say? I fully expect to win every game I’ve ever competed in,” McCarthy said. “They’re working hard, we’re working hard. But we’re clearly planning on going to Washington and winning the game. There’s no doubt about that.”

Washington won both games in the series last season, outscoring Dallas by a combined 66-19 margin.

Washington defensive lineman Jonathan Allen chuckled at McCarthy’s comments.

“The only guarantee in this world is death and taxes,” he said Thursday.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who missed both games against Washington last season after a season-ending ankle injury, was asked Thursday if he supports McCarthy’s public position.

“S— yeah,” he said.

Two weeks after losing Prescott, the Cowboys lost 25-3 at Washington last October and 41-16 in a Thanksgiving Day blowout.

Washington held Ezekiel Elliott to a total of 77 rushing yards in those games.

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)