The Dallas Cowboys have a top-10 quarterback in Dak Prescott, but his play at the end of the 2022-23 season was subpar to say the least.
He threw 11 interceptions in the team’s final seven regular season games and two interceptions in the Cowboys’ 19-12 loss to the 49ers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. While the defense stepped up the challenge, Prescott and the offense sputtered and QB1 needs to have a bounce-back season if Dallas wants to take the next step and compete for a Super Bowl.
Here’s three ways that Prescott can have a bounce-back season.
3 ways Cowboys QB Dak Prescott can bounce back in 2023
3. Prescott must use his weapons
The Cowboys bolstered their wide receiver room this offseason as they traded for Brandin Cooks last month. Prescott has a new target and he’s a considerable upgrade from Noah Brown and the other WRs on the roster. If Dak wants to get back on track he has to prioritize feeding Cooks and the other weapons on the offense.
CeeDee Lamb also took a big leap last season.
Lamb became the Cowboys’ number one wide receiver and when Lamb played well, the Cowboys typically won. In fact, Dallas was 9-2 in games where Lamb had over 70 receiving yards, and now defenses will also have to account for Cooks. That should open up plenty of real estate for both playmakers.
With Tony Pollard expected to be ready for training camp following high-ankle surgery, the Cowboys could utilize him more in the passing game. He proved to be the best pass-catching running back on the roster last season and now that Ezekiel Elliott is gone, Pollard could see his workload increase even more.
2. Open up the playbook and let Prescott run
One of the most underrated parts about Prescott’s game is his ability to extend plays with his legs. He might not be the fastest, but he’s strong enough to break a tackle and pick up first downs when needed.
Prescott’s ability to run makes Dallas dangerous.
Following his gruesome leg injury in 2020, the Cowboys limited designed runs for Prescott and he seemed weary to run. He wasn’t nearly as confident, and the Cowboys didn’t give him many opportunities to run the ball.
But it’s time for Mike McCarthy to open up the playbook.
In Prescott’s first seven starts of last season, he rushed for just over 10 yards per game. The Cowboys didn’t run many designed runs and he wasn’t running often after leaving the pocket.
In his final seven starts of the season, including the two playoff games, he rushed for over 22 yards per game. The Cowboys seemed to finally give Prescott the green light to run the ball more toward the end of the season and his ability to run was beautifully exhibited.
The Cowboys are in win-now mode and one way to help Prescott return to playing elite football is by opening up the playbook for him.
1. Prescott must take care of the football
One of the biggest strengths in Prescott’s game going into last season was that he didn’t throw interceptions. His interception rate in a season never rose above 2% except in the 2018-19 season when it was 2.7%. Last season, it was at a career-high 3.8%.
To give context, his interception rate in his rookie year was 0.9% and was 1.7% in the 2021-22 season. Prescott was over twice as likely to throw an interception last season compared to 2021-22 and was over four times as likely to throw an interception last season compared to his rookie season.
That is inexcusable. Prescott’s inability to take care of the football was arguably Dallas’ biggest problem last season. Scoring points at will is great, but it ultimately means very little when your quarterback is putting the team is unfavorable situations by turning the football over.
Whether he wasn’t reading the defense, forced unnecessary throws or had miscommunication issues with his receivers, a number of Dak’s interceptions came either deep in an opponent’s territory to thwart a promising drive, or deep in Dallas territory to set the opposition up with a short field.
If Prescott can take care of the football this season, Dallas has a chance to make their first Super Bowl since 1996.
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