Mike McCarthy has faced the Green Bay Packers since becoming head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, but this Sunday, he’ll do so in the playoffs for the first time.
Last year, McCarthy said he spoke with his players about his 13-year run with the Packers before Dallas played them at Lambeau Field.
It’s something he won’t be doing again this time around.
“Last year, I thought it was important for me to talk about Green Bay in the beginning of the week. I did with the team. I regretted it,” McCarthy said Monday, via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “That doesn’t even need to come into our energy base [now]. So, you live and learn. This game’s about our commitment. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing — and it really doesn’t … It’s just no time for that. I answered the questions honestly in here last year about my experience up there. It just will not help us win. So if it doesn’t help us win a game, I’m not interested in it.”
The Cowboys lost last season’s matchup with the Packers by the score of 31-28 in overtime, so perhaps that result plays into McCarthy’s decision not to revisit his past this week.
“It’s a players’ game. Always has been. Always will be,” McCarthy said. “That’s not all that should be focused on. I believe there’s 24 hours in a day, got seven days to prepare, and if we’re not working on winning, then it’s really a waste of time.”
In 12-plus seasons in Green Bay, McCarthy reached the postseason nine times and won Super Bowl XLV. With Dallas, he’s posted three consecutive 12-5 seasons and is now looking for the postseason success to match.
The Cowboys and Packers will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET Sunday on FOX.