Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones left AT&T Stadium with a particularly sour taste in his mouth Sunday after Dak Prescott and Co. once again failed to deliver in the postseason.
"The hump is advancing in the playoffs," Jones said after the Cowboys' 23-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round, according to the Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken. "There's been some good quarterbacks that haven't advanced in the playoffs. I'm just sick we're one of them - really sick. I'm surprised and sick."
The Cowboys cruised to an NFC East title in the regular season before stumbling when the pressure ramped up. Prescott, who signed a $160-million contract before the season, was a pedestrian 23 of 43 for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception against the 49ers.
His heralded weapons on offense - Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, and CeeDee Lamb - combined for only 116 yards after each enjoyed strong regular seasons. The Cowboys were hindered by 14 penalties, many of which were especially untimely.
"When you get this combination of players together, you need to have success," Jones said, courtesy of The Athletic's Jon Machota. "Because we all know how it goes in the NFL - the whole thing is set up to take away from the best and add to the ones who need improving. And personnel-wise, I think we had one of the best."
Jones declined to address questions about Mike McCarthy's job security as head coach, saying, "I don't even want to discuss anything like that at this particular time."
Instead, the 79-year-old conceded he couldn't recall another loss that stung so strongly.
"Extraordinarily disappointed," he said. "Very disappointed. Disappointed for our fans … This is quite a letdown."
The Cowboys haven't advanced beyond the divisional round since 1996 when they won Super Bowl XXX.
