Cowboys News: Dak Prescott on INT issues, Broncos eye Dan Quinn, DaRon Bland
By Jerry Trotta
The Dallas Cowboys left a sour taste in fans mouths heading into the postseason following their Week 18 loss in Washington. Sadly, the performance was a culmination of Dallas’ biggest pitfalls; none bigger than Dak Prescott’s propensity to give the ball to the other team.
While at least seven of Prescott’s interceptions have come on non-turnover-worthy plays, according to PFF, the bottom line is he threw 15 picks during the regular season –including a telegraphed pick-six Sunday against the Commanders — despite missing five games with a thumb injury.
Even with the INTs that weren’t “his fault,” you’re still talking about eight interceptions in 12 starts under center. That’s a worryingly high number for a quarterback who threw 10 interceptions in 16 starts last season and whose previous career high was 13 interceptions (in 16 starts) during his second year in 2017.
After the loss, Prescott took ownership of his high turnover rate and vowed to stop the trend with a playoff date vs the Buccaneers on deck.
This isn’t the first time Prescott has taken ownership for his turnovers this season, but Cowboys fans will be hoping it’s the last time. Whether it’s his fault or otherwise, Dallas’ playoff experience will be short-lived if the franchise QB continues giving the ball away at such a high rate.
Dak Prescott on 15 interceptions: “It stinks. Not having, I’d say, an issue like this with the ball, but for sure having more confidence in where I can put the ball and the things I can do, it’s a fine line. And I ‘ve got to get better at it. Simple as that. This won’t continue.”
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 9, 2023
More Cowboys News:
- The NFL’s annual coaching carousel has taken centerstage for non-playoff teams, and the Broncos are wasting no time getting a head start on their head coaching search. After requesting permission to interview free agent Sean Payton, Denver did the same with Dan Quinn, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
- That’s no surprise, as Quinn was a finalist for the Broncos HC vacancy last offseason before they hired Nathaniel Hackett. Perhaps more noteworthy, though, is the fact Russell Wilson made sure to mention Quinn as a potential candidate.
- Denver would be better served hiring an offensive-minded coach after their struggles on that side of the ball in 2022, (they ranked dead-last in points per game), but it seems Quinn is a popular name in the building.
- Rookie cornerback DaRon Bland left Week 18 in the second half with a chest injury. He didn’t return, but Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News understands Bland should be OK for Monday night against the Buccaneers. We’ll know more about Bland after he undergoes further testing, so stay tuned.
Cowboys rookie CB DaRon Bland (chest) exited Sunday during the third quarter, and there appears to be no concern about his status moving forward. He is expected to be fine for next Monday’s playoff game in Tampa, a person familiar with situation said.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) January 9, 2023
NFL News:
- Black Monday was in full-effect after Week 18. The list of fired head coaches include the Cardinals’ Kliff Kingsbury and the Texans’ Lovie Smith. They join Hackett, the Colts’ Frank Reich and the Panthers’ Matt Rhule as coaches who’ve been handed the pink slip. Expect more big moves to come.
- Packers LB Quay Walker was ejected for the second time this season Sunday night after he shoved a Lions assistant who was attending to injured RB D’Andre Swift. After the Damar Hamlin incident, it’s worth speculating if the NFL makes an example out of Walker and suspends him.
- The Bears secured the No. 1 overall pick after the Texans beat the Colts in Week 18. Houston gets the No. 2 pick. Already equipped with a franchise QB in Justin Fields, you have to think Chicago will look to trade down with a QB-needy team to stockpile draft picks to further cultivate their roster.
