How Cowboys QB Dak Prescott beat the Giants, answered his critics but lost a bet

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott tossed a career-long 64-yard touchdown pass to receiver Tavon Austin on the third play of the game to help spark a 20-13 victory against the New York Giants.

Yet, it’s a play that will cost Prescott a little something in his wallet.

The Cowboys planned all week to come out aggressive against the Giants. And Prescott was so confident in the play call to Austin that it would result in a touchdown on the second play of the game that he a bet with some of closest friends.

“It was supposed to be the second play of the game,” Prescott said with a smile while walking out of the stadium. “But (offensive coordinator) Scott Linehan called it on the third play. So I lost the bet.”

Prescott lost the bet but led the Cowboys to victory and that was most important after last week’s 16-8 season-opening loss to the Carolina Panthers.

He completed 16 of 25 passes for 160 yards and the touchdown to Austin. It was the eighth time in the last 10 games that he passed for under 200 yards.

But Prescott also added a career-high 45 yards rushing on seven carries and made winning plays with his arm and feet when it mattered most while answering critics who question whether he could lead the team to victory without a game from running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Coach Jason Garrett said passing for less than 200 yards or more than 200 yards is not a huge concern. Their focus is on winning and doing whatever it takes to get the job done.

He said Prescott did that Sunday night just like he has since he’s been with the Cowboys.

“I think if you watched him play football for us over the past couple of years – that’s just his mentality,” Garrett said of Prescott answering the challenge. “That’s how he plays. He’s a damn good football player. He’s a damn good football player when he throws it from the pocket, when he gets out of the pocket, when he makes those quarterback runs. He’s an outstanding leader. The guys rally around him. He’s as well-respected a guy as we have on our football team. It’s easy to see why. The way he plays, the plays he made. He’s a big-time player.

“His maturity level since I met him is off the charts. He handles every situation a lot like a pro. He has great confidence in himself, he has confidence in what we’re doing, the people around him, and he’s as good a worker as we have on our team. His mindset, mentality is fantastic every day regardless of what the circumstances are. He’s incredibly mentally tough. Practiced well this week, and obviously played a heck of a game.”

It also started with the opening toss to Austin that caused Prescott to lose a bet and head into the week a little lighter in his wallet. And he couldn’t be happier.

“He had a great night,” Prescott said of Austin. “We knew we were going to go at him early. That was the plan. Coming off play action, he just went clean. He took the release, put his head down and dug. I was able to get the ball out there. He just made my job easy. He showed off his speed.”

This story was originally published September 17, 2018 at 7:00 AM.