Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys

**Dak Prescott** and the **Dallas Cowboys** have had an eventful relationship over the years, with Prescott emerging as the team's cornerstone quarterback since being drafted in 2016. Here’s a quick breakdown of **Dak Prescott’s** journey and the Cowboys’ performance with him under center:

### **Dak Prescott's Early Years (2016–2017):**

- **2016 Rookie Season**: Dak Prescott’s arrival was nothing short of spectacular. After the injury to **Tony Romo** in the preseason, Prescott took over as the starting quarterback. He led the Cowboys to a **13-3 record**, earned **NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year** honors, and formed a strong connection with **Ezekiel Elliott**, the Cowboys' star running back. Prescott’s calm demeanor, leadership, and clutch performances helped Dallas earn a playoff spot.

  

- **2017**: In his second year, Prescott was still solid, though the Cowboys took a step back with an **9-7** record, missing the playoffs. Injuries and a lack of offensive weapons outside of Elliott hurt the team’s overall performance, but Prescott showed resilience.

### **Emerging as a Franchise QB (2018–2020):**

- **2018–2019**: Prescott continued to grow as the Cowboys' leader, showing both accuracy and the ability to make plays under pressure. In 2018, the Cowboys made it to the **NFC Divisional Round**, but ultimately fell short of a Super Bowl appearance. During this stretch, he developed stronger chemistry with wide receivers **Amari Cooper** (acquired in a mid-season trade in 2018) and **Michael Gallup**.

- **2020**: Prescott was putting up MVP-caliber numbers in the first few games of the season before suffering a **compound fracture and dislocation** of his right ankle in Week 5 against the **New York Giants**. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, but Prescott showed his toughness and determination during his recovery. His stats up to the injury (1,856 yards, 9 TDs) were among the best in the league.

### **The 2021–2022 Comebacks:**

- **2021**: Prescott made a full recovery from his injury and returned to form in the 2021 season. He helped lead the Cowboys to a **12-5 record**, with an offense that finished as one of the NFL's top units. Prescott posted solid stats, throwing for over **4,400 yards**, 37 touchdowns, and leading the Cowboys to the NFC East title. However, the Cowboys’ playoff run ended early with a **23-17 loss to the 49ers** in the Wild Card round.

- **2022**: Prescott’s 2022 season was marred by a thumb injury that sidelined him for part of the year, but he bounced back and led Dallas to a **12-5** record. The Cowboys again made it to the **Divisional Round** of the playoffs but were eliminated by the **San Francisco 49ers** in a close contest, leading to criticism of the team's inability to perform in clutch moments.

### **2023–2024 Season Outlook:**

- **Dak Prescott's Performance in 2023**: Prescott was continuing to evolve, focusing on cutting down turnovers and improving his decision-making. He had his moments, but the Cowboys still faced some struggles in high-pressure situations. The team’s performance in 2023 would be critical in determining whether they could contend for a Super Bowl, with Prescott’s leadership, ability to protect the ball, and maintain consistency being central to the Cowboys’ aspirations.

- **2024 and Beyond**: As of 2024, Prescott is still the face of the franchise. However, questions about his ability to lead the Cowboys to a **Super Bowl** still linger, given the team's past playoff disappointments. Prescott has the talent, but he has often been criticized for his inconsistency in key moments. The Cowboys’ success in 2024 will likely depend on how well Prescott meshes with his offensive weapons, including the running back **Tony Pollard** and the receiving core led by **CeeDee Lamb**.

### **Strengths and Weaknesses**:

#### **Strengths**:

- **Accuracy and Arm Strength**: Prescott can make all the throws, including deep balls, and has shown remarkable accuracy on intermediate passes.

- **Leadership**: He’s often praised for his leadership both on and off the field, and his maturity has made him the unquestioned leader of the Cowboys.

- **Mobility**: While not known as a running quarterback, Prescott is effective at moving in the pocket and picking up crucial yards with his legs when necessary.

#### **Weaknesses**:

- **Turnovers**: Prescott has struggled with interceptions at times, especially in high-pressure moments. His decision-making can be a vulnerability when the game is on the line.

- **Playoff Success**: Despite solid regular-season performances, Prescott has not yet led the Cowboys to a Super Bowl, and Dallas has faced several early playoff exits under his leadership.

### **Team Around Him**:

- The **Dallas Cowboys**' roster is often considered one of the most talented in the NFL, with a strong defense led by **Micah Parsons**, **Trevon Diggs**, and others. The Cowboys' offense revolves around Prescott, but he also benefits from a solid running game (especially with **Tony Pollard** in 2023 and beyond), a strong offensive line, and explosive receivers like **CeeDee Lamb**.

### **Super Bowl Hopes**:

The overarching goal for Prescott and the Cowboys is to contend for a **Super Bowl**. Despite winning multiple NFC East titles and having solid regular-season performances, the Cowboys' inability to break through in the playoffs has been a persistent storyline under Prescott's leadership. As Prescott enters the later stages of his career, the pressure will only increase for him to bring a championship to Dallas.

In summary, **Dak Prescott** remains a very talented and respected quarterback, but his legacy with the Cowboys will ultimately depend on whether he can take them to the next level and secure a **Super Bowl** win, ending the long title drought for the team.