Everything QB Dak Prescott said after Dallas Cowboys’ tie with Packers
The Dallas Cowboys played to a 40-40 tie with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
Quarterback Dak Prescott completed 31 of 40 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns.
Here’s everything he said to the media after the game:
On tying
“You don’t play the game for ties. I don’t care about the stats, the ups and downs, the ebbs and flows. I just care about the end result and the win. When you don’t get that right now, it’s tough for me. In 10 years, it’s the first tie I’ve been a part of. It’s hard to wrap my head around it because I know I’d feel a lot worse if it was a loss. But, I’m not satisfied, not that I would be if we’d won. But it’s a weird feeling to what [head coach Brian Schottenheimer] alluded to. I heard the end of it, it’s just the fight and the resilience of the team, staying together and believing in each other every chance and every opportunity. I don’t know about you, but I thought that last play of regulation before the clock was done then. Just tough to wrap my head around the tie right now. A lot that we can build and grow from. We’re still only four weeks into the season, so we’re almost done with this first quarter of it. We’re starting to figure out who we are, in a sense, on both sides. It’s all about playing complementary ball and making sure we get a win, whatever it takes to get a win. We didn’t do that tonight. That’ll be the conversation tomorrow and throughout this week, is doing whatever it takes to win.”
“It goes back to the plan I told you guys on Thursday that it’ll be all hands on deck, whether it be the tight ends, whether it be the running backs. Honestly, there were one-on-ones, and those tackles did their job. Stepped up and did what they needed to do, kept him off, and kept him away from me. I’m playing against a time clock, whether it’s Micah or the rest of those guys. They’ve got a great front out there. We played on time and got the ball out. Receivers got to their spots that allowed me to play on time. I guess they gave him half a sack on that last one.”
On if he thought he was running in the touchdown in overtime
“Just being honest, I didn’t know that was Micah on my back and didn’t think that I was going to get to the end zone. I was trying to get as much as I can.”
On if he thought the game was over after Green Bay’s incomplete pass in overtime
“One thousand percent. I thought just the way they got up to the line, I don’t want to say without urgency, because there was some. But then I realized that they’re not spiking it and they’re going to take an opportunity at the end zone. He didn’t get it out immediately and the ball hung, especially when it went off [linebacker Jack] Sanborn’s back. I thought it was going to hit zero for sure.”
On who the team is and who it can be
“We can be explosive. We can be a monster team. We get some stops in the way this offense is playing. Defense can slow down. Just the big plays. I mean they’re playing good defense. Its just the big plays here and there that put them behind and now their backs are against the wall and they’re in the red zone. I’ve got faith in [defensive coordinator Matt] Eberflus and the rest of those guys over there stopping big plays. Not only that, but the way that they rally to the ball, the way that they hustle in the way they play. The turnovers are going to come as well. We got the one right there at the end of the half. I actually didn’t see what happened. But with [Trevon] Diggs, that interception. They keep playing the way that they’re playing, rallying the ball, great effort. The turnovers will come. As we say, ‘turnovers come in bunches’. We also have to start faster on offense. We start faster on offense and do things like we’ve done this week and other than last week, we can be an explosive team.”
On not being frustrated after leading with 43 seconds left
“I love it. It’s the game of football. It’s the NFL. You’re playing against the best and that means you’ve got to play your best when needed. Thankful for these opportunities. Especially when you miss ball, have been hurt, and had to sit there and watch it. You watch those college games on Saturday, all those come down to the wire and then watch the noon games. You want to be in those positions; you don’t want to watch this. Other people actually can be in those positions and not only that, but that just helps you, that experience makes you better for more of those to come. It’s fun, it’s part of it. I believe in my defense and they’re going to stop it and make the play. Sure if they do, or they stop holding to a field goal. I’m thankful that we still have an opportunity to go out there and answer this game. I can be mad about the one second on the clock. I can be mad that they drove the ball, but at the end of the day I’m upset that we didn’t score in the end zone. We had an opportunity to score in the red zone, if we do that, they’re having to get back on the line again and throw a Hail Mary to the end zone. Not for one second am I looking at the defense. I’m a guy that looks inward first and looks at what I need to do to help this team. If we start in the end zone or score faster, who knows if we’re in this position.”
On the three plays after first-and-goal at the 5-yard line in overtime and if he saw tight end Jake Ferguson on third down later on the tablet
“Yeah, no, I did look at it later. And then when it’s on the tablet, just one of those of, did it come open late? Obviously, I’ve got other reads, and he’s more of a check-down there. Could I have scrambled? Could I have like extended the play, but also you got points in your back pocket that you don’t want to extend the play and not do the right thing. Or give a guy like Micah or [Rashan] Gary, one of those guys, that can chase you down and have a turnover. So, I’m not upset with the decision I made by any means, but 100% of whether it’s that or whether it’s a third down in the third quarter. There’s always plays that you look back that you want, and especially when you don’t win, and even when you win, and damn sure when you don’t.”
On how he thought George Pickens played and what worked tonight
“Yeah, I mean, no surprises honestly. I’m super proud of him. He played just as I expected him to play. And what I was most impressed about is just the way that he was focused and locked in in the game, the whole game. And not only just locked in doing everything that he needed to do and do it right, but just the conversations he’s having in the huddle. Uplifting other guys, saying the right things to keep guys focused and keep guys staying in the moment and being present. And not only was he saying it, he was doing it himself and being an example, and made play after play to big play after play to give us a chance. And whether it’s the touchdown right before overtime, or whether it was the overtime catch on the sideline or early in the game, before the first touchdown, making that one-on-one on the left sideline. He made plays all night long, and I’m not surprised at all. He’s done that all camp. He’s done that his whole career. And just having a guy like that, he’s going to do more of them.”
On the Jalen Tolbert catch on the sideline
“Yeah, I had a little pressure, got up right, went up, and then out to my right, and at that point, he was pretty much the only one that was available to throw the ball to. And I saw how deep they were in the end zone, and I knew I couldn’t get it all the way there and so I made a play like that, a couple years back to CeeDee [Lamb]. It was just more like, I’m gonna throw this short and towards the sideline where either he’s going to get or nobody’s going to get it, because I know he’s going to react to it first. So, I threw it, and the rest was him honestly. It was a hell of a catch, an amazing job of keeping both feet in bounds. I wasn’t quite sure.
“We planned to do a turbo, get up on the ball, just in case. And when you hear from the headset, huddle, huddle, you’re like, OK, dang, that was a for sure catch then, and then seeing it on the replay. That’s a guy that’s just been consistent and taken advantage of his opportunities when they’ve come his way, and especially after a guy like CeeDee goes down, he stepped up huge tonight, and it wasn’t just that catch. It was catches right before overtime. It was all night long that he had great production for us.”
On what he hears on the headset if it’s incomplete
“I mean, I don’t hear anything. We’re just obviously going to keep rushing up to, like, try to do our turbo play. But my point is, when he said the huddle, like that means they must have gotten a view from the coaches or something, that it was a for sure catch if we’re huddling.”
On why he’s been able to hit the ground running so far this season
“I’ve been playing 10 years, 10 months or not. And not only that, like when I went out right, sure I was already starting my rehab as soon as the off season hit. Going down in the middle of the season, early in the season, like I did, right? You have the surgery, and then you take your time off to rest. My offseason probably started a lot earlier than anybody else’s in the NFL’s offseason. So just the work that I put into this, credit Brit, Luke Miller, my PT, and then credit obviously, you know, Schotty, the guys, the receivers, every single receiver that anytime I asked them to come, they showed up. It’s a process, and it’s the way that I love to work. And I’ve told you that before, it’s something that I’ve got to balance as I get older. Trying to outwork everybody but doing it the right amount of time, and making sure I’m not overextending my body. And so I think there’s just this all the hard work paying off and it’s going to continue.”
On the margin of error the team has faced so far this season
“Yeah, I mean, it’s not about the defense, as you said, it’s more of just about like that’s who I am, for one and that’s what I expect out of the team, and that’s what they expect out of themselves. And if I didn’t expect that, then the defense should be looking at me, you know, and they should be looking at the offense. And what are we doing. The way to play complementary, and to be there for your brothers, to make sure that you’re not letting them down, and you’re doing everything in your preparation to have the best game that you could ever have. And so that’s the way that I approach it. That’s the way that I approach each and every week, whether it’s the film study, the practice, or trying to get guys going just throughout the week in the building or in practices. It’s about being accountable, and it’s about making sure I’m handling my job and taking care of everything that I can. And if I can influence others to do the same, I’m going to do that. And so I think that takes care of itself.”
On using the heat pad on the sideline
“Everything’s great, yeah. Just guess, getting older, just things come up a little bit, but I’m fine.”
On Jake Ferguson’s touchdown
“Yeah, man, I just told him I loved him. I was proud of him. I understand how long it’s been for him. And as a guy who wants to contribute, make plays and help his team win. And even though he’s been doing that consistently every game, you want to get in the end zone, right and help your team that way. And selfishly, you want those touchdowns. So yeah, as you said, I knew how much of a weight that was lifted off of him, and getting that first one is just going to allow all the rest of them to come. I mean, you go back two years ago, the guy was getting touchdowns nonstop. So, it’s a confidence-builder for another point, and super just proud of him. That’s a guy that, as I said, wants to contribute to this team every which way possible, that he can, and it was awesome just for him to get back in there. And that won’t be the last, I can promise you that.”
On if this is his best start to the season
“I don’t know if a 1-2-1 record would say that, and I don’t like to compare anything to the 2020 season. Lastly, I just want to keep playing the way that I’m playing and/or get better every week.”
On moving up in the Cowboys record books
“It’s awesome. It’s something I never take for granted. It’s not something that I’m patting myself on the back for, but it’s something that I understand the history before me. I understand the players who have come before me and it’s an honor, but at the end of the day I want to win games and I want to chase Roger [Staubach] and Troy [Aikman] and the accomplishments they have.”
On the chemistry and trust required to throw in tight windows to George Pickens
“The guy, that’s what he’s done. When I say look at his film and look at his resume, whether it’s just been in the months that he’s been here or the time he’s had in Pittsburgh, that’s what he does. That’s who he is and that’s what allows that chemistry to grow is when I get a guy who I’ve seen on film make play after play, and then he shows up here and he’s not missed a beat and he’s getting better. He’s getting older through experience and more mature. That trust just only grows more, and the chemistry is just going to expedite that whole process. He’s a hell of a player and he loves football and that’s what I love most about George. He’s a guys who loves football. He’s a hell of a teammate and he’s always locked in, whether he’s getting the ball or not. In the past games when CeeDee was here or now he’s the No. 1 and he’s being called upon. He embraces that role and the responsibility. As I said, the language and the things he was talking in the huddle, proud of him.”
On other guys stepping up in Lamb’s absence
“Ryan Flournoy, I know you missed him there. No it’s OK. But those are guys who have been itching for their opportunity, honestly. When you’ve got a guy like CeeDee and you got a guy like George, there’s only one ball there when you’re speaking about two of those great players, right? And so those other guys, whether they can get crumbs, whatever it is, they’re ready to make plays and opportunities. So when you lose a guy like that, all you’re getting is these hungry men and play makers who are saying that I can be a guy too. I think that’s just what you’re going to see, is in a guy like Flo [Ryan Flournoy], guy like JT [Jalen Tolbert], Turp [KaVontae Turpin]. Turp telling you I’m not just a returner. JT, whether he led the team in touchdowns last year or not, that’s not a fluke and he’s trying to continue to prove himself and show that he can be a big-time receiver in this league. Then Flo who’s had limited opportunities, who’s going to try to take advantage of each and every one of them, and they all did that tonight. Super proud of their effort, big-time catches late, big-time catches when it was needed and great routes and getting to their spots. What I’m going to preach and make sure these guys understand that’s one game and we’ve got to make sure that we go into practice with the same attitude of getting better and we’ve got to do it each and every week. So that’s just the start of it.”
On KaVontae Turpin’s growth
“The finer points is his route running. And not only that, him understanding that people are scared of speed and speed wins. You talk about speed, and everybody thinks a guy like Tyreek Hill. Why does he do what he does? It’s because he has an uncanny speed. It’s tough to find that kind of speed, quickness and agility, and Turp is the same way. So when he’s out there and guy has him one-on-one, he’s scared. That’s also what allows me to anticipate throws with Turpin and trust as you know he has that low speed burst that is almost like an indicator, and he’s just gonna continue to get better the more opportunities he gets.”
On keeping the defense focused
“Locker room talk. Make sure that they’re not finger-pointing. Making sure that they’re being accountable, almost trying to get them to answer their own questions. Whether they’re frustrated, they’re saying certain things, almost ask them why. And look in the mirror and ask yourself why that? Why again? So ultimately, it’s to make sure that there’s no finger-pointing and that they continue to trust one another and build on whatever trust that they have in one another. I’m not in their meetings. I don’t know their calls, and I can’t hold somebody accountable to not making the right call and communicating. So it’s about making sure that they’re staying positive and keeping their heads up and believing in themselves and understanding that not only me, but this offense and this team has their back. So I’d be damned if they get down on themselves, we need them. And if they do get down on themselves, that’s a selfish act. So it’s about making sure that they’re staying positive and understanding that they control it. Whether it’s one guy or two guys or the communication of all 11, they control what they go out there and do.”
On why he’s playing so well
“It’s the work that I put in. Not only that, but the experience on top of it. Experience is the best teacher and whatever it is that you’re doing in life, especially in this game. These older quarterbacks or guys play until their 40s because you’re getting better as you get older, because the way that you’re seeing things. The quickness and recognizing the defense or their blitzes or what they’re trying to give you that allows you to play ahead of it. That on top of me working, being healthy and having trust in my teammates and the play-calling. I think it’s all of that combined. It’s not just me out there. I still miss throws. I’m never satisfied with whatever performance that I put out there. I’m thankful to play this game and the peace that this game brings me. I never want to cheat it. It’s just about getting better at it, each and every day.”
On tonight’s play-calling
“Hell of a game, hell of a play call there. Not just there, but throughout the game. Made some crucial play calls and giving me the opportunity to get some plays that I felt comfortable in or the guys felt comfortable in as we’re talking about the ... just to trust in that is to be able to draw something out that he haven’t worked in all off week and go out there and execute it. He’s continuing to call a hell of a game, and it feels great for us when we’re rolling to go put that 95-yard drive together I think was a big start of all of it. You just see the different play actions, the run, the commitment to run on that drive and then getting down there and throwing a touchdown. Just putting everything we’ve practiced and everything on his play sheet, calling it, and I think that’s a huge part of it.”
On the impact of playing two extra quarters this season
“We have two more quarters of experience than other people, other than the two teams that we’ve played. We’re a young team, talking about not being complacent. I hope guys aren’t looking to rest this week. That was a tough game, the NFL is tough. Next week is going to be tough, too. Just the confidence-building and the understanding that you have the resiliency to play 70 minutes. When it goes into overtime, having this experience is going to make us feel better if we get into another overtime game. We’re going to do the right things and come out with the win.”
On if he felt Micah defending him
“I’m sure I felt him if I moved up. That’s just playing the game and trusting what you feel and understanding the move. It’s not clicking in my head that it’s Micah. What’s clicking in my head is the coverage and the reads and where I need to go with the ball. He actually told me after the game, when I watch the film that I’m lucky. Once again, it’s not just me. Credit to the offensive line, credit to the tight ends, running backs, everyone. That whole pass rush of having all hands on deck. Lastly, credit to the receivers and making sure they’re hitting attempts and their routes within the right time clock so we can play fast.”
This story was originally published September 29, 2025 at 3:20 AM.
