Dak Prescott has played the Dallas Cowboys into the midst of the NFC East championship race, thanks to making major strides in a key area this season.
Through 14 games this season, Prescott has passed for 3,639 yards with 28 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. Prescott’s interception total is down sharply from the 15 he threw in 2022 and 10 during the 2021 campaign.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen listed Prescott as the quarterback with the best decision-making in the league this season.
“One season after tying for the league-lead in interceptions (15),” Bowen writes. “Prescott has seven through 14 games (tied for sixth-fewest). He also has a Total QBR of 72.7 this season, second-best in the league, and he’s being smart with the ball, especially in critical game moments.”
Prescott’s turnaround has been one of the more impressive storylines of the 2023 NFL season. Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn suggests it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“The first thing that jumps out is that he is an elite competitor,” Quinn told reporters in November. “Like, elite. There are guys in our league that are excellent competitors — I mean, quite honestly, every person whose playing in this league is — but then just like most things, he’s the special forces of competitors. He’s at the top of the top.”
Cowboys Running Back Tony Pollard Turning Heads
Cowboys running back Tony Pollard, with three games remaining, is on pace to finish with the most prolific season of his career.
Pollard has rushed for 848 yards and five touchdowns, one year removed from posting a career-best 1,007 yards with nine rushing touchdowns. Thanks Pollard’s violent downhill running style, the 26-year-old is averaging 2.86 yards after contact per carry, according to Pro Football Focus.
However, beyond his statistical output and value to the Cowboys’ ground game, Pollard has made significant strides as a run-blocker in 2023. Bowen lists the Cowboys’ back as the best running back in pass-protection in the league.
“I like Pollard here due to his physicality at the point of attack,” Bowen explains. “Along with his willingness to take on second- and third-level blitzers in pass protection. He’s another key part of the Cowboys’ production in the pass game this season.”
The Cowboys could have a difficult decision to make when it comes to Pollard’s future. Set to be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, Spotrac projects Pollard’s market value at approximately $6.67 million. However, Pollard has repeatedly shown his value to the Cowboys’ offense in more ways than one.
Dak Prescott Downplays Clinching Playoff Berth
The Cowboys secured a playoff berth Sunday afternoon, prior to getting throttled by the Buffalo Bills, and by the end of Week 15 emerged as the NFC East leaders following the Eagles’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Prescott offered only six words when asked what it means to secure a spot in the postseason.
“I don’t care,” Prescott told reporters, “to be honest.”
The fact that Dallas fell to the Bills 31-10, dominated in all phases of the game, likely led to Prescott’s surprising reaction to making the playoffs.
