The definitive guide why Dak Prescott is not a franchise quarterback

Does Dak Prescott Deliver in Crunch Time?

By comparison, Prescott has had 19 opportunities over the same period. In 2019, Prescott had five chances to lead the Dallas Cowboys to victory in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter:

• Week 4 – Saints – down by two – interception at 0:00
• Week 6 – Jets – down by eight – missed two-point conversion at 0:43
• Week 10 – Vikings – down by four – turnover on downs at MIN 14 at 0:40
• Week 12 – Patriots – down by four – turnover on downs at DAL 25 at 1:50
• Week 16 – Eagles – down by eight – turnover on downs at PHI 23 at 1:15

In 2019, Prescott had a 0 percent 2ER in his five tries. He would fare better in 2018:

• Week 1 – Panthers – down by eight – Prescott fumbled at 1:39
• Week 4 – Lions – down by one – field goal at 0:00
• Week 5 – Texans – tied – punt from DAL 45 at 1:49
• Week 7 – Redskins – down by three – missed 52-yard field goal at 0:00
• Week 11 – Falcons – tied – field goal at 0:00
• Week 14 – Eagles – tied – started at DAL 18 with 1:39 left – game went to OT
• Week 17 –  Giants – down by seven – touchdown and two-point convert at 1:19

In 2018, Prescott had a 43 percent 2ER with three successes (bold) in seven opportunities. In 2017, he had only three opportunities:

• Week 4 – Rams – down by five – turnover on downs at LAR 39 at 0:27
• Week 5 – Packers – down by 4 – touchdown at 1:13
• Week 15 – Raiders – tied – field goal at 1:47

In 2017, Prescott had a 67 percent 2ER with two successes (bold) in three opportunities. In 2016, he had four opportunities:

• Week 1 – Giants – down by one – started at DAL 20 with 1:05 left – end of game
• Week 8 – Eagles – tied – started at DAL 28 with 0:38 left – game went to OT
• Week 10 – Steelers – down by two – touchdown with 0:15  
• Week 14 – Giants – down by three – turnover on downs at DAL 3 at 0:52

In 2016, Prescott had a 25 percent 2ER with one success (bold) in four tries. For his career, Prescott has a 32 percent 2ER with six successes in nineteen tries. In the four years from 2012 to 2015, former quarterback Tony Romo had a 47 percent 2ER with eight successes in seventeen opportunities.

So when the Cowboys have needed their quarterback the most, Prescott has delivered about one time in three. By comparison, the last two quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl delivered at least once every two times.

Prescott has averaged ten wins per season throughout his four-year career but he has failed to beat winning teams with regularity. He also has eight fourth-quarter comebacks and fourteen game-winning drives but falls short about two out of every three tries when the Cowboys need him the most.

By this definition, Prescott is not a franchise quarterback. And this might be why there has not been a long-term contract agreement for the exclusive franchised tagged quarterback.