The legend of Dak Prescott continues.
Just as it seemed the clock was striking midnight on the Cowboys rookie quarterback, Prescott made like Tony Romo with a second career fourth-quarter or overtime comeback.
“That’s what he’s demonstrated since Day One,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s shown he can handle any situation with poise and composure. …He was outstanding at the end of this ball game.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said afterward that he expects Prescott to start Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
“Tony’s not ready to play,” Jones said. “That’s subject to Jason Garrett making the decision, but as far as the health issue is concerned of Tony, there’s not need of pushing it that fast. That’s more about Tony, and his health than it is any of the other issues we want to have here.
“…Tony’s making a lot of progress. We’re excited about that. My opinion is Dak will start against Cleveland.”
Call Prescott the Comeback Kid.
The Cowboys trailed the Philadelphia Eagles 23-13 early in the fourth quarter and appeared on their way to a second loss of the season.
But after the defense recovered a fumble to get the Cowboys within a touchdown, Prescott directed an 11-play, 90-yard drive that tied the game with 3:04 remaining. The Cowboys overcame a holding penalty that wiped out a 63-yard run by Ezekiel Elliott on the drive, with Prescott’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant rejuvenating Cowboys fans’ hopes.
Prescott’s encore came in overtime, delivering a 29-23 victory.
“Dak had his challenges,” Jones said. “But when it really mattered — not that the whole game didn’t matter — but he came through. He doesn’t know the word quit.”
The Cowboys took the kickoff in the extra period and marched 75 yards in 12 plays and 7:12, with the Eagles never seeing the ball. Prescott, who struggled much of the night, went 5-for-5 for 56 yards in overtime. He also had a 2-yard quarterback sneak on fourth down.
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That’s kind of the things we shared on the sidelines was I got your back; they’ve got my back. We just all continued to fight.
Dak Prescott, on the comeback
“I’m not going to stop,” Prescott said. “I don’t care how bad I play early on. I don’t care really what I do. I’m not going to give up. I’ve got unbelievable teammates around me who give me confidence no matter what I’ve done. That’s kind of the things we shared on the sidelines was I got your back; they’ve got my back. We just all continued to fight.”
On the 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jason Witten, Prescott kept the play alive with a Romo-esque spin move to avoid a sack. It was Witten’s first touchdown of the season.
“The offensive line always does a good job of protecting, and Witten’s a guy that in the past of watching the Cowboys when Romo does a lot of spinning, Witten seems to be the guy who always gets open,” Prescott said. “He did that there.”
Prescott had made it easy to forget he’s a rookie. He entered the game ranked fifth in the league in passer rating.
A little sloppy there in the first half ... Got to be better and more consistent.
Dak Prescott
But he looked like a rookie and played like a rookie much of Sunday night.
“A little sloppy there in the first half,” Prescott said. “... Got to be better and more consistent.”
Prescott completed only 19 of 39 passes for 287 yards with two touchdowns, an interception and a 79.8 passer rating. It marked only the second time this season Prescott has failed to deliver a passer rating above 100, with his career low the 69.4 he had in a season-opening loss to the Gians.
Prescott’s ability to rally the Cowboys will no doubt continue the quarterback controversy with Romo ever closer to returning to health.
Romo returned to practice last week in a limited capacity.
Charean Williams: 817-390-7760, @NFLCharean
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