Dak reacts to Cowboys loss: ‘We have to get out of our own way, play smarter football’
Dak Prescott threw for a career-high 472 yards but the Dallas Cowboys couldn’t slow down Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks in a 38-31 loss Sunday afternoon at CenturyLink Field.
Despite his career day passing, which also included a career high 57 pass attempts, his second-most completions (37) and becoming the first Cowboys quarterback to throw for more than 400 yards in consecutive games, he also threw two interceptions and fumbled. Two of the turnovers led to Seattle touchdowns and the final interception ended the game.
Prescott took questions from reporters after the game about the injury-laden offensive line, the team’s final drive, his turnovers and Michael Gallup’s big receptions. Here is an edited transcript provided by Cowboys public relations:
Prescott on the sequence of plays to end the game
[We] didn’t get a couple of opportunities to put the ball in the end zone. To give you the analysis right off the bat … we have to go look at it and got to go see the whole 22 [players] on film. We just didn’t give ourselves an opportunity to take some shots at the end zone. I had a little chance on the last drive, but I just tried to give my guys a shot. We came up short.
Prescott on his final pass into the end zone that was intercepted
It wasn’t as nice of a spiral as I wanted it to be. I’m pretty sure it slipped a little bit, and I didn’t have my feet under me. Wish I could’ve bought a couple more seconds, but once again, I have to go back and check on film. Maybe I could have set my feet up, who knows right now. I have to go look at the film.
Prescott on the interception and fumble in the second and third quarters
On the interception, the ball was just a little behind Cooper. It was a great play by Seattle and the guy came up with the ball. I can’t do that. It results in them getting a touchdown right before half, and then we come out of halftime and it’s pretty much a strip sack as I’m trying to throw. The ball comes out, and it’s another turnover that results in a touchdown. Simple as that, that’s how you lose games. Me, personally, and everybody, we have to be better at protecting the ball.
Would Prescott throw it away on the last pass if had to do it over again?
Right there, guys were in the end zone. Honestly, I didn’t think the guy was going to necessarily get an interception, but I was just going to throw it up and give ourselves a chance to make a catch. If it goes incomplete, we’ll have another chance. I’m not going to be upset with the decision I made there.
Prescott on relishing the opportunity to answer Russell Wilson at the end of the game
I always want the ball in my hands. I’m never going to shy away from the moment with the ball in my hands and having a chance to win the game. I want to make those throws, and I want to have those opportunities. We just have to be better, starting with myself, of converting those and making more of these one-score games wins for us. I know we will. We’ll just go back this week, have some tough practices, get back on to the details and we’ll change this thing around. We have a long way to go, and we’re just 1-2.
Did the early miscues put the Cowboys in a hole?
Continuously, looking at it the last three weeks, we’re only stopping ourselves. We have to get out of our own way, be cleaner with the ball, play smarter football and find a way to start faster. Our coaches and these players are going to go back and figure out a way to get this thing right and clean it up.
Prescott on the offensive line being shuffled because of injuries
Those guys are working their ass off and that’s all you can ask for. They’re getting in there and fighting and competing. Some young guys — moving Zack [Martin] out to tackle — probably haven’t done that since college. Those guys are going to do whatever it takes, and they’re fighting. I’m right there fighting with them. Credit those guys, win or loss, I’m thankful to have them up front, and I know they’re going to battle for me.
Does Prescott think the offensive line settled down after making the changes?
Those guys are fighting. Like I said, young guys are moving around, and you got Joe [Lonney] going from center to guard. You have a new center coming in. Those guys are doing their best. They’re coming in, they’re fighting and giving their all. That’s all I can ask from them. I have to help them out by getting the ball out of my hands faster and getting out of the pocket. I always tell them, ‘we work hand-in-hand.’ They help me and I help them. I’m proud of those guys and I love the way they fight.
Prescott on Michael Gallup’s big plays throughout the game
He’s a guy that wants the ball. He’s a big-play guy who’s going to make big plays, whether it’s clutch situations or early in the game. He’s always wanting it. Any chance I can get those one-on-ones I’m gonna go to him. He’s shown it these first three weeks, and we’ll continue to do it if you’re giving us the opportunity. He’s a hell of a player. And Ced [Cedrick Wilson] came up huge tonight. Just spelling the guys a couple of times, and he ends up getting a couple of touchdown plays. It was a tough loss, but you have to look at all the good with a lot of guys coming in and fighting and giving it their all. Like I said, it’s three games into the season. We’ll get this thing right and be proud of what we can do.
