The Green Bay Packers’ win against the Dallas Cowboys will likely be consequential for coaches on both staffs. The Packers are expected to retain defensive coordinator Joe Barry following their win over the Cowboys in the Wild Card round.
The Cowboys could fire former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy following his team’s upset loss in Dallas. Based on the outcome of Sunday’s game, Barry and McCarthy came into the matchup knowing their jobs were on the line.
Barry had a problematic job preparing for NFL MVP candidate qualified Dak Prescott. Prescott had an incredible passing target in wide receiver CeeDee Lamb that Barry had to scheme for. Following the Packers’ upset of the Cowboys, Packers fans showered Barry with love on social media.
Joe Barry likely saved his job with Green Bay Packers win Sunday
According to Eli Berkovits with CBS Sports, Matt LaFleur made comments during his press conference Monday that indicated Barry is safe to be retained for the 2024 season:
“I couldn’t be happier… There were some tough moments… I know what we have in him. Was confident if anyone could right the ship. It was him.”
Matt Lafleur on Joe Barry:
I couldn't be happier… There were some tough moments… I know what we have in him. Was confident if anyone could right the ship. It was him.
Doesn't sound like a guy who will be looking for a new job next year 🤷♂️
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) January 15, 2024
LaFleur’s comments Monday are in stark contrast to the sober words he gave his defensive coordinator following the team’s back-to-back losses to the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. LaFleur criticized Barry’s gameplan against the Buccaneers when quarterback Baker Mayfield earned a perfect passer rating in Tampa Bay’s win at Lambeau Field in mid-December.
The Packers’ defense didn’t shine in their next contest against rookie quarterback Bryce Young and a struggling Carolina Panthers offense. The Panthers hung 30 points on the Packers.
However, the defense turned things around in the final two weeks of the regular season. They allowed just 19 total points between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. The defense crippled the Cowboys during the Wild Card game until LaFleur pulled the team’s starters in the fourth quarter.
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Barry’s defense made the right decisions when the season was on the line. One could argue his defense put the Packers in a tight spot to make the playoffs at the end of the season. However, LaFleur appears willing to give Barry the benefit of the doubt after a big win in Dallas.
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