As the Dallas Cowboys fight to stabilize their season, Dak Prescott didn’t shy away from pointing fingers at himself for their ups and downs. Speaking with ESPN’s Todd Archer, Prescott took responsibility for his performance so far, admitting, “I’ve played average, and it isn’t good enough right now. It’s never been good enough for me.” His self-assessment echoes concerns among fans and analysts as the Cowboys struggle to find consistency.
Prescott’s stats tell part of the story. Completing 63.4% of his passes, he’s thrown for 1,602 yards, with eight touchdowns and six interceptions through six games. On the ground, his impact has been minor—just 25 rushing yards and one touchdown. It’s a marked contrast to last season’s standout numbers, where he led the team to a 12-5 record with 4,516 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions, while adding 242 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He even earned second place in MVP voting, a Pro Bowl nod, and a spot on the AP Second Team All-Pro list.
But Prescott isn’t alone in facing criticism. The Cowboys’ defense, once a strong point, is struggling too. Ranked 31st in points allowed per game, they’re conceding an average of 28 points while ranking 25th in total defense. Losing defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to the Washington Commanders, where he now serves as head coach, has left the Cowboys in transition under Mike Zimmer, who has yet to replicate Quinn’s success.
Despite this rocky start, Jerry Jones doubled down on his faith in Prescott and the team’s core this offseason. Instead of a roster shakeup, Jones rewarded key players, extending wide receiver CeeDee Lamb with a four-year, $136 million deal and Prescott with a four-year, $240 million contract, making him the NFL’s highest-paid player by average annual value. But as the season unfolds, the Cowboys’ performance isn’t living up to their paycheck-driven expectations.
This inconsistency has been a recurring theme. While the Cowboys opened the season strong against the Cleveland Browns, they stumbled in a 44-19 blowout by the New Orleans Saints and more recently suffered a 47-9 thrashing at home by the Detroit Lions. The bye week gave them a chance to regroup, but the clock is ticking if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
For Dallas to make a playoff push, they’ll need Prescott to elevate his game and for the defense to tighten up. The road ahead is challenging, and Prescott’s acknowledgment of his own shortcomings may be the spark needed for the Cowboys to turn things around. But only time will tell if the team can find the rhythm and consistency to move past their early struggles and chase postseason success.
