The first week of the 2020-2021 NFL season was not kind to the Dallas Cowboys… In a 20-17 loss to the LA Rams, the Cowboys liabilities on both sides of the ball were exploited. While numerically a three point deficit L doesn’t appear too awful, the Cowboys were beat on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Cowboys missed key opportunities to take the lead and, the defense struggled to keep the Cowboys head above water. Despite the loss, Prescott had 0 interceptions and had a medial 266 yards. As expected, Aaron Donald carried major pressure on the Offensive Line and Dak was sacked 3 times in this game.
This Week 1 game came down to a 4th quarter opportunity on the Offense to make a play down the field. This play resulted in controversial offensive pass interference on Michael Gallup. Whether or not this pass interference was deserved, it’s also not exclusively why the Cowboys lost this game. The Offense appeared to be playing in slow motion and early injury exits from Blake Jarwin (TE) and Leighton Vander Esch (OLB) did not help the situation. The unfortunate narrative following that game was that DaK CaN’t gEt iT dOnE.
A week of brutal Dak Prescott slander followed this Week 1 loss, and lead to a fiery performance from the QB in Week 2 against Atlanta. The Cowboy’s highlights from this game really only begin late in the (second quarter is being generous) second half of this game since the cowboys went down 20-0 before even getting on the board. It’s rare that the Cowboys play well from behind, however this game was one of those ‘once in a blue moon’ games. Special teams fed into the Offensive battle for points and an onside kick gave the Cowboys a chance to win. Overall, Prescott threw for 450 yards to the whole lot of receivers including Cee Dee Lamb, Amari Cooper, Dalton Schultz, and Michael Gallup. Dak Prescott was awarded NFC Offensive Player of the Week after another 0 interception game, a QBR of 85.1, and a monstrous comeback win against ATL.
Week 3 dragged in a close 38-31 loss to Russell Wilson and a strong Seattle team. In a surprisingly competitive game, Prescott and his offense had another impressive week that Dallas’ defense could not match. The overall performance of the D was simply not good, putting more weight on the offense. Dak still threw for 472 yards and had a QBR of 73.2. In week 3, Cedrick Wilson broke out as another clutch receiver to add to this offense. Dak threw two interceptions but one of them was during the last Cowboy’s possession in a Hail Mary attempt to the end zone. Special teams were unfortunately more of a liability than an asset for the Cowboys, but Dak still played a great game against a stacked Seattle team.
In relation to the first three games of the Dallas Cowboys season, Dak is pushing limits during his contract year. He has had two consecutive games with 400+ passing yards and 2 total interceptions across the first three games. Even with a defense that allows points to be given up to the opposing offense, Prescott gives the Cowboys a fighting chance to win every game he plays. I’m not out on Dak Prescott…
“When opportunity presents itself, don’t ask why. Just take it and run with it.”
Dak Prescott
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