As Dallas Cowboys’ defense struggles, Dak Prescott and offense remains consistent
When the Dallas Cowboys opened the season, their renewed hopes of reaching the Super Bowl for the first since 1995 and ending a 28-year championship drought were rooted in a defense led by two-time Defensive Player of the Year runner up Micah Parsons.
The job of quarterback Dak Prescott, coming off a league-leading 15 interceptions in 2022, and the offense were to limit mistakes, take of the football and run the ball to protect the defense.
As the Cowboys (10-5) attempt to end a two-game losing streak and regain some playoff momentum over the final two games of the season, a reset is afoot. It begins on Saturday night against the Detroit Lions (11-4) at AT&T Stadium.
Prescott and the passing game have been the best part of the team in 2023.
And while his MVP candidacy has taken a nose vie during the two-game losing streak, Prescott numbers as are good or better than any player in the league at the game’s most important position.
The team’s franchise remains the straw that stirs the drink and if Cowboys have any hopes of ending their title drought it will be based on the play of Prescott.
“I think Dak’s the best he’s been in his career,” owner Jerry Jones said. “I think if you’re going into this part of the season in the NFL and your quarterback is playing this well, you’ve got an outstanding chance to come home happy.”
“He’s the reason for my No. 1 highlight.”
And rightfully so.
Prescott leads the NFL with 30 touchdown passes to go with just 7 interceptions. He is third in quarterback rating (104.2), third in completions (353), fourth in completion percentage (68.4) and fifth in yards (3,892).
And it was Prescott who rallied the Cowboys from a 19-9 fourth quarter deficit and put the team in the lead at 20-19 with season-long 17-play, 69-yard, capped by an 8-yard scoring toss to receiver Brandin Cooks.
If the defense hadn’t allowed the Dolphins to drive 64 yards and kick a game-winning field goal as time expired for a 22-20 victory, there would be vastly different conversations about the Cowboys and Prescott heading into the Lions game.
“I think the biggest thing I saw was just the way that he led,” said Cooks, a 10-year veteran who has played with Super Bowl champions like Tom Brady and Drew Brees in his career. “Some of those throws that he mad, wrapped up, his strength, his fight, his resiliency.”
Prescott believes the Cowboys can gain confidence from the final drive. But he also says he can do more and must do more.
“I’d have to go back and take you through each play for the most part and even on good plays, there’s things that I felt like I could do better,” Prescott said. “That’s kind of the way I’ve always been. I know numbers. I know things kind of say I’m playing well and that, but to me a quarterback’s judged off wins and losses. So if it’s a loss, I could’ve done more, one way or another. I’m going to continue to critique my game that way.”
Coach Mike McCarthy is prone to say defense’s win championships but quarterbacks win Super Bowls.
He said Prescott is on his way.
“I think he’s playing really well,” McCarthy said. “The regular season is clearly different from the playoffs. The game is still the game of football. I do like the body of work he’s put together. Like any year, you go through adversity. I think he’s handled that very well. I think he’s done a great job of just really running the system. I really like the way he’s playing. I think he’s definitely playoff ready.”
Whether the Cowboys are Super Bowl ready remains to be seen.
Prescott will be the deciding factor.
This story was originally published December 27, 2023 at 1:45 PM.
