3 ways Dak Prescott, Cowboys silenced haters in Wild Card win vs Buccaneers
By Jerry Trotta
![Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) reacts with Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz (86) after a touchdown in the first half during the wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) reacts with Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz (86) after a touchdown in the first half during the wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthelandryhat-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2023-2F01-2F19803422-850x560-f120060ea381bc626c64fff2a11f5bc5f087cea724f8c019c41374a964b67e7b.jpg)
1. Dak Prescott was elite
Dak Prescott’s haters are punching air after the QB’s flawless performance against the Buccaneers, and you absolutely love to see it. It didn’t start off great for Prescott and Dallas’ offense, as he started 0-of-3 and the unit managed one positive play on the first two drives.
The NFL community (media, fans, pundits, and all) demanded perfection from Prescott Monday night after his turnover-prone season and the fact he entered the game with 1-3 career record in the playoffs.
Prescott delivered exactly that. He finished 25-of-33 for 305 yards and 4 touchdowns (zero interceptions!) through the air, equating to a 143.3 passer rating. He added 25 yards and a touchdown with his legs, meaning he accounted for five total touchdowns. Five touchdowns, folks. FIVE.
At one point in the third quarter, Prescott was fitting throws into impossible windows for fun. He had a throw up the sideline to Dalton Schultz that landed just beyond the out-stretched arm of Devin White. He did the same on his TD to Gallup minutes later, which somehow eluded Carlton Davis in the back corner of the end zone.
Prescott will be hard-pressed to top this performance against San Francisco’s top-ranked defense, but he turned in the second picturesque playoff game of his career Monday night; the first since his rookie year in 2016.
Dak is back, ladies and gents, and that’s bad news for the rest of the playoff field.