Dallas Cowboys: 6-Time Pro Bowler Explains Exactly Why NFL Franchise Must Move On From Dak Prescott
The Dallas Cowboys failed once more, and Dak Prescott thought that this 2023 team was different because the season was on the line and there were reasonable expectations for a Super Bowl run from both inside the Dallas building and the media/analysts outside.
The Dallas Cowboys failed once more, and Dak Prescott thought that this 2023 team was different because the season was on the line and there were reasonable expectations for a Super Bowl run from both inside the Dallas building and the media/analysts outside.
Prescott finished what was likely his finest regular season ever and was considered for NFL MVP this year. The Cowboys were two-score favorites against the Green Bay Packers, who boast the youngest roster in the NFL and a first-year starting quarterback, going into their wildcard round game on Saturday.
Dak Prescott finished the 2023 NFL regular season ranked among the top five in a number of important passing metrics. Prior to facing the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in the playoffs, he had accumulated 4,516 yards (3rd), 36 touchdowns (1st), 9 interceptions, and a QB rating of 72.5 (2nd).
Although some rolled there eyes when Jerry Jones and company decided to fire Kellen Moore at the end of last season — as he’s regarded as one of the up and coming young and brilliant offensive minds — head coach Mike McCarthy took over play calling and the Dallas Cowboys offense looked elite for the majority of the year.
Finally, Prescott and CeeDee Lamb found the perfect chemistry and emerged as arguably the top QB/WR tandem in the league.
Beyond Dak Prescott and the explosive offense that averaged 389 yards and 30 points per game and finished with 77 touchdowns in the regular season, the Dallas Cowboys had a defense that finished the season ranked 5th in the NFL.
Dan Quinn’s unit held their opponent to 18.5 points per game , forced 17 interceptions with their talented pass rush paired with a playmaking secondary and allowed just over 300 yards per game.
But on Saturday afternoon, the Packers, who came into the game with no pressure or expectations but felt they could win and out-coach their opponent while carrying out a flawless game plan, throttled the Dallas Cowboys, who had not lost a game at home this season, on both sides of the ball.
Prescott and company were out of sync the entire first half as Green Bay continued to excel offensively, ultimately choosing to receive after winning the ensuing toss and putting a touchdown drive the took over seven minutes together to set the tone. The Dallas Cowboys offensive was unable to contain the Green Bay attack, which led to a startling 27-7 halftime advantage for the Packers.
Dak Prescott had already thrown an interception from his own nine-yard line to Jaire Alexander at the end of the first quarter that led to Packers RB Aaron Jones making it 14-0 within a minute of the second quarter.
The Dallas Cowboys couldn’t sustain offensive possessions and their defense couldn’t stop the young Green Bay offensive attack. A Jordan Love touchdown pass with just over 3 minutes until halftime have the Pack a comfortable 21-0 lead. And on the Cowboys’ next possession Prescott threw a long pass that was picked off by Packers safety Darnell Savage — who retuned it to the house—making it 27-0 in favor of Green Bay with less than two minutes until halftime.
6-Time Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy Explains Why Dallas Cowboys Have To Move On From Dak Prescott If They Want Super Bowl Chance.
The Cowboys QB absolutely wasn’t the only problem for Dallas on Saturday. From the moment the Packers won the coin toss, elected to receive to make a statement, it was over.
Ultimately Dallas found the end zone at the end of the first half to cut the Packers lead to 27-7 at halftime and one former Pro Bowler believes that’s one of the reasons Prescott played so badly.
Former NFL star defensive tackle and 6-time Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy annoyed Prescott’s performance after the game and his conclusion was abundantly clear;
Every year, it’s the same story with Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys.
His co-host began by asking McCoy if he’s questioning whether Prescott is a Super Bowl caliber QB.
“Well you have to, because when he’s gotten to these moments in his NFL career, this is what happens. I was asked earlier in the year who I thought were elite quarterbacks, and my issue with Dak was questioning whether he was going to protect the football in key moments. And this happens year after year. It happened last year, it happened the year before. He just struggles in these moments, I don’t know if he gets a time where he isn’t put in a good position”
McCoy then identified one of Dak Prescott’s flaws that was likely the reason for his struggles on Saturday.
“Dak’s ability to play from behind is lacking. He’s not a reliable quarterback off the schedule. He is most effective when things are going his way because he can run the ball and make plays off play action.
However, Dak struggles when he’s playing from behind, so when Green Bay took this lead, I knew he would struggle. You saw that he was attempting to force a connection with CeeDee because he was unable to make a catch, therefore CeeDee threw a pick, which is exactly what Dak has been.
I would be wrong to sit up here and say he’s not a Super Bowl caliber quarterback, because every time he has these Super Bowl caliber moments, he struggles, he fails.
McCoy’s co-host mentioned Dak Prescott is due for an extension but the former Tampa Bay DT had a strong stance on how the Dallas Cowboys should approach the future.
Since this is an ongoing loop and nothing has changed, they must make a decision. Tell me what has changed. We see Dak at the top of the stats every year because he consistently puts up large numbers, but when the playoffs roll around, we keep saying the same things. He is mishandling the ball. “When will it change, after all these years, year after year?”
While it’s highly doubtful the Dallas moves on from Dak Prescott owing to his contract circumstances, McCoy plainly believes he is never going to carry the Dallas Cowboys to the promised land. Although it would be amazing if Prescott was involved, Mike McCarthy might not be returning as head coach.
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