Dallas Cowboys: 3 lingering questions after the loss to the Packers
2. Are the interceptions all on Dak Prescott?
The majority of the time, interceptions are blamed solely on the quarterback, but it’s not always their fault. Sometimes the receiver will make a bad play on the ball and knock it in the air. Let’s look at Dak’s interceptions so far this season.
The first interception Dak threw this year was in Week 2 against the Washington Redskins. Dak evaded a sack from defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne, then threw a bullet behind receiver Randall Cobb. This led to Cobb knocking the ball up, allowing safety Montae Nicholson to pick it.
This one has to be on Dak. It was such a bad throw that Cobb had to turn his entire body around to try to make a play.
Dak’s second interception was against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. Dak was unable to find any open receivers and began rolling out to his right. He tried to throw the ball to Cobb, but it was too far ahead and right into the hands of safety Bobby McCain.
Dak threw this ball far too ahead of Cobb for him to even try to make a play on the ball. There was also an open receiver that Dak missed on a crossing route, so this one has to be on Dak. He didn’t see the open receiver and threw the ball far too ahead for Cobb.
The third interception for Dak this season came on the last play in Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints. This was a Hail Mary throw to try to make something happen, but an unexpected cornerback blitz caused Dak to throw the ball earlier than he wanted to. This one isn’t on Dak.
This past Sunday saw Dak throw three picks, resulting in his current total of six picks in five games. Two were thrown in the first quarter of the game, and the last was thrown in the fourth quarter.
The first interception on Sunday was half Dak’s fault and half receiver Amari Cooper‘s fault. The pass was thrown too far back for comfort, and Cooper did a bad job of trying to control the ball.
The second interception was simply a great play by cornerback Chandon Sullivan. It was a great read and a great catch.
The third interception looked like a miscommunication between receiver Michael Gallup and Dak. I would have to lean this one more on Dak simply because he needed to adjust. Sure he threw where he thought that was Gallup was supposed to be, but it is still up to him to try to make the play.
So I would consider Prescott to be responsible for 3.5 interceptions. Do not be too alarmed by the total interceptions Dak has thrown … at least yet.