'This Is Who We Are!' Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Nears NFL Record, Elite Company
Dak Prescott is always a magnet for criticism by virtue of him being the Dallas Cowboys' quarterback, but he has been silencing his doubters recently.
In the three games since Dallas' bye week, Prescott has played nearly flawless football. The veteran signal-caller has completed 72.7 percent of his passes for 1,082 yards and 11 touchdowns with only two interceptions. Simply put, Prescott has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league over the past few weeks.
Asked on Thursday inside The Star if he and the Cowboys are "in the zone'' or if this recent run is a true reflection of what Dallas is capable of, Prescott replied, "I think it’s who we are. And I think that’s what makes it (feel like) we’re in the zone. When you’re really feeling like yourself ... you’re going to be in a zone because you feel confident.''
That, Dallas does. And ...
With another strong performance on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, Prescott could join some of the game's greatest quarterbacks. Dak has thrown for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in three consecutive games, and if he can do it again, he will become just the fourth player in NFL history to do it in four straight.
Prescott prepares to make a pass during Sunday's win over the New York Giants.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The three other players to accomplish such a feat need no introduction whatsoever. Steve Young did it in 1998 (for five games straight, in fact), Peyton Manning did it in 2012 and Patrick Mahomes did it in 2018. Two legendary quarterbacks already in the Hall of Fame and a third who certainly will be when his career is over, elite company indeed.
The Panthers currently hold the NFL's worst record at 1-8, so it would be very easy for Prescott and company to overlook them. However, the phrase "any given Sunday" exists for a reason, and Prescott is very aware that he needs to give it his all no matter the opponent.
"In this league, every team is full of professional athletes who get paid and who are gonna prepare each and every week," Prescott said. "At the end of the day, it's all about matchups. That's what makes this league different from any other, in my opinion. Right now, it's about focusing on us."
Prescott has had his ups and downs throughout his career, but right now, he may be playing the best football he ever has. And that means, to him, he is both "in the zone'' and playing at a level that "is what he is.''
