Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said he has no intention of dwelling on Packers ‘drama’ before playoff game

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy told Dallas reporters that he doesn’t like how he handled a game last season when the Cowboys traveled to Lambeau Field, and he wouldn’t be making the same mistake twice.

“Last year, I thought it was important for me to talk about Green Bay at the beginning of the week. I did with the team. I regretted it,” McCarthy said. “That doesn’t even need to come into our energy base. So, you live and learn. This game’s about our commitment. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, and it really doesn’t. I had no stake, I didn't watch one game prior to yesterday's contest in preparation … 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."

It matched what he said after the win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday: “The drama of it I’m sure you guys will love. I will not participate in it.”

The Packers, of course, are about to face McCarthy’s team in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs, a clash at AT&T Stadium on Sunday in Arlington, Texas. McCarthy will naturally be a central story line.

“It’s a players’ game," McCarthy said. "Always has been, always will be. You know, that’s all that should be focused on. I believe there’s 24 hours in a day, you've got seven days to prepare, and if we’re not working on winning, then it’s a waste of time. Really, to put that on their hearts and felt that they needed to speak on my behalf in the locker room, I won't do that again."

The Packers defeated Dallas 31-28 in overtime during the 2022 season. And despite the loss, McCarthy said it was good to go back to Lambeau Field.

“I think the biggest thing I got out of going back there was I got to see a lot of people I didn’t get to see at the end,” he said. “So, I was thankful for that. We would have liked to have win the game. At the end of the day, this is my team. I’m a Dallas Cowboy. This is our opportunity, and I just want to make sure I’m doing my part, and that’s pouring everything into winning this game.”

Said Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse, “I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a lot of emotions with Coach McCarthy, and rightfully so, being he’s been there, he’s won a Super Bowl up there and had some great years there. So, to play them in this wild-card game, I know it’s going to be huge for him.”

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy refusing to dwell on his Packers history