FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys backs were certainly against the wall at 3-5 following the Titans week 9 matchup, but they were able to dig themselves out of a hole to become an 11-6 team headed into the divisional round of playoffs. The team never gave up and the locker room never became divided, in large part due to the resilience of the leader of their offense: Dak Prescott.
Prescott is a player that thrives under adversity and he proved that in the statement victory over the New York Giants, the win over the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card round, and throughout his tenure with the Cowboys. The win over New York marked Prescott’s 32nd victory in the league, tying for fifth-most victories by any NFL QB in his first three seasons in league history. He is the only quarterback in NFL history with 30-plus wins (32) and 25-or-fewer interceptions (25) in his first three seasons. He now has the most game-winning drives by any NFL QB since 2016, and the most by any NFL quarterback during his first three seasons.
This guy has continuously battled the odds. As a rookie, he went from being a third string backup to becoming the starting quarterback of America’s Team-his childhood favorite. In his first season he gained the respect of the team as he led them to a 13-3 season. Many of the league’s best at the position did not start until their second, third, or fourth year, after watching from the sideline. Prescott has had the difficult task of learning as he goes on the gridiron. He played under center in the shotgun at Mississippi State and has had to develop into the NFL’s and Cowboys’ way of doing things by dropping back into the pocket as a passer to release the ball.
In week 17 vs. the Giants, Prescott completed 27 passes on 44 attempts for 387 yards-the second highest of his career-with a career-high four touchdowns. Two of the four touchdowns, Prescott was forced out of the pocket and delivered two perfect deep touchdown passes on the scramble under heavy pressure. One was to Blake Jarwin from third and three in the third quarter, resulting in a 39-yard connection for the TD. The other was a 32-yard pass to Cole Beasley in the back of the end zone from fourth and fifteen in the fourth quarter. Despite being sacked four times and hit 10, Prescott still managed to amass 387 yards, four TD’s, 0 interceptions, and 0 fumbles. He accomplished the feat without his go to guy-Ezekiel Elliott, and two Pro-Bowl offensive linemen, Zack Martin and Tyron Smith.
In the Wild Card round vs. Seattle, Prescott continued the trend. Late in the fourth, on third and fourteen, Dak lunged toward the end zone on a 10-yard scramble and set the offense up at the goal line. The following play, Prescott capitalized with a one-yard TD rush on the QB sneak. He does not shy away from adverse circumstances, but shines in them and extends plays. He wills the success. Prescott is dangerous with his feet and has become a run threat in the league. Dallas has another ‘Captain Comeback.’
I spoke with Jason Garrett on Dak’s ability to react under pressure following the Giants regular season finale,“ Dak is all about that. He had a number of those plays in college. He can beat you a lot of different ways: with his feet in zone read games and when plays break down. He has the ability to escape and keep his eyes up…He makes a ton of plays in critical moments. He had a free rusher chasing him and on fourth and fifteen and threw a perfect bullet to Beasley…We wanted to throw it more in yesterday’s game and he reacted well to it. He has a fantastic approach and grows as he goes. “
Prescott should not be overlooked in the divisional round vs. the Rams. Doubters are just fuel to the fire that has burned in him since he arrived in Dallas in 2016. People have bet against him since the beginning, but make no mistake he is ready to finish this fight and has done nothing but succeed when the odds were against him.
