Andy Reid has won a Super Bowl. So has Mike McCarthy.
When the two coaches meet Sunday as Reid’s Chiefs host McCarthy’s Cowboys, they recognize that a victory could be extremely helpful in getting them to another big game.
They also understand what a big chore winning could be.
“You’re talking about a defending champion here, absolutely,” McCarthy said of the Chiefs (6-4). “These guys are extremely well coached. I have great respect for Andy Reid, for the way he’s done for it for decades in this league.
“This is an important game. It’s an uncommon opponent, so we’re going to spend a little more time ... in the classroom, in the walkthrough part of it. We feel like we need more time on the video together.
“It’s about getting a road win. I think we know where we are. And I know where they want to go. So you’re going to see a clash of two really good football teams Sunday afternoon.”
No argument there. Dallas (7-2) is in prime position to earn the top NFC seed and the only playoff bye. Kansas City might need to win out to get the AFC’s bye, and the Chiefs have been far more inconsistent in 2021 than in recent years.
“Listen, I think you see it in this league every Sunday that teams are getting beat that aren’t favored to get beat,” Reid says. “So from my standpoint as a coach, every day is important for you, your preparation, how you handle it mentally. Do you let yourself get carried away what happened against the Raiders (a huge win), or do you bear down and get yourself right for the Cowboys coming in here?
“We have to make sure we take care of our business.”
