Mike McCarthy furious over illegal shift penalty on Cowboys

Oct 3, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy on the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was furious after an illegal shift penalty cost his team during their clash with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

The Cowboys were down 16-7 and had 3rd-and-11 from the Miami 25 during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. CeeDee Lamb lined up on the line and checked in with the official, who told the receiver to back up to avoid an offsides penalty. Lamb backed up, but the officials also thought Jake Ferguson went into motion at the same time.

According to the officials, both players were moving at the same time, which resulted in an illegal shift foul.

Cowboys called for an illegal shift here… #DALvsMIA pic.twitter.com/pw8Q9YppCp

— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 24, 2023

The infraction pushed the Cowboys back into a 3rd-and-16 from the Miami 30 and wiped out a Dak Prescott first down. The Cowboys ended up gaining five yards to get back to the 25 and kicked a field goal to make it 16-10.

FOX’s TV cameras later showed McCarthy giving the officials a piece of his mind over the penalty call.

The penalties have been an issue for the Cowboys under McCarthy. He even addressed the issue after a 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills the previous week.

Mike McCarthy said of the penalties, "The timing of it were clearly tough, they extended drives." Asked are penalties a coach thing or player deal: "It's on all of us. We got to be better in those spots."

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) December 18, 2023