Dak Prescott took command of the Dallas Cowboys‘ offense on Sunday as the team dominated the Commanders 38-10.
The Cowboys ended the regular season 12-5, their third straight winning season since 2020.
Prescott had one of his best seasons and was a significant reason the Cowboys found success in 2023. He ended the regular season with 4,237 passing yards, 36 touchdown passes, and a 104.2 passer rating. Those 36 touchdown passes tied for the second-most in a season in Cowboys’ franchise history and finished just one behind the record that he set in 2021.
Dak Prescott vs. the Postseason
Although Prescott has been in the MVP conversation this regular season, his production in the postseason will set his year apart from the rest.
The quarterback has a 2-4 playoff record, but he is ready to break the dry spell that has taken over the Cowboys’ organization for nearly three decades.
“Coming off of past years, understanding the team we have, knowing that coming into the season we had a team that can compete, we want to put ourselves in this position, wanting to stay in the moment each and every week and not look forward to this, but now it’s upon us,” Prescott said. “I think, most importantly, we’ve got to take it one game at a time.”
Prescott says that starting on Monday the team will put the regular season behind them and turn the page to the Green Bay Packers, who they will face in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
Prescott says this year feels different from past playoff runs he’s been a part of — finishing the regular season with a win against the Commanders this season is already a difference maker from last year when the Cowboys fell short to them in their regular-season finale.
The other differences, he says, are the players and coaching staff, but communication, accountability, and transparency are essential and unlike other years.
Prescott and Mike McCarthy
This was the first year that Mike McCarthy took over the play calling for the offense.
Prescott says McCarthy’s approach has been different than in the past, and his communication and accountability have been appreciated.
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“I can’t thank him enough,” Prescott said. “He’s been an amazing head coach as he’s continuing to be a play caller and have this relationship with me and him even grow more.”
He says the two lean on each other with the understanding that they are the two that get the most criticism from the outside.
One of the most significant differences for Prescott this season was the sense of consistency in all aspects of the offense.
He also gave McCarthy credit as the playcaller who allowed him to play lights out this season, saying the head coach kept the offense around him in sync throughout the season.
“Everybody understands the purpose of a play and why it’s being called, what’s expected, and the execution part and what everybody has to do,” Prescott said.
Prescott and McCarthy have an opportunity to continue their success in the postseason starting on Sunday against the Packers.
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