Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has knack for flashing brilliance when needed most

Dak Prescott may not rack up the 300-yard passing games, but the Dallas Cowboys’ signal caller is one of the best quarterbacks in the most important areas.

Prescott’s 12 game-winning drives since 2016 are second only to Matt Stafford’s 13 for most in the NFL, including Sunday’s drive that set up Brett Maher’s game-winning field goal against Atlanta.

Since Prescott’s rookie season in 2016, only Tom Brady (31-7 record) and Ben Roethlisberger (29-9) have more wins as a starting quarterback than Prescott, who is 27-15. Drew Brees is also 27-15.

“He obviously responded well, made some big plays in that drive, made a lot of little plays in that drive. He moved in the pocket, the guys moved for him, protection was good, guys competed for the ball, and obviously got us in position to kick the game winner,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “I thought he played really well in the game and I thought he played really well at the critical moments.”

It has been Prescott’s calling card in his first three seasons. While he may not excite fantasy team owners with gaudy numbers, more often than not, he performs well when the game is on the line.

He has his three best passing completion games this season since Amari Cooper joined the team, including a season high 72.2 percent two weeks ago in the win at Philadelphia. With the game tied at 20-20 and four minutes left, Prescott led the team on a 75-yard touchdown drive to beat the Eagles.

“Dak doesn’t blink,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “He’s very deliberate. I can’t imagine anybody feeling better to have this team in the hands of a third-year quarterback in the NFL and have him under center in a game situation like that. You couldn’t feel any better if you’re in my shoes, and I wouldn’t trade [him] for anybody.”

Prescott, of course, relishes the situation.

“I want the ball in my hand. Always have and always will,” he said. “Anytime I get the opportunity to get that chance, that’s the way I like it. To just go down there and everyone execute the way they did. The offensive line protecting, receivers getting open ... we do that every Thursday, going against our defense in a two-minute drill. It just paid off.”

The consecutive wins have put Dallas in a position to tie the Washington Redskins for a share of the NFC East lead on Thanksgiving.

“Our backs are against the wall and they’re still against the wall,” Prescott said. “This shows the character of this team of us just swinging and fighting and coming out. We were able to go down there and make that game-winning field goal.”

This story was originally published November 20, 2018 at 7:00 AM.