Do the Dallas Cowboys have a quarterback problem on their hands with Dak Prescott? Heading into the postseason, there likely isn’t a team still alive that is as unsure about the most important position on the field as the Cowboys are with Prescott.
Outside of the Baltimore Ravens, who may have to start a third-stringer against the Cincinnati Bengals because of injuries, no team should be as worried about their quarterback situation as the Cowboys. While the team will say all of the right things in the days leading up to their Wild Card matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there have to be some concerns in the building.
Dak Prescott has been brutal this season when it comes to taking care of the ball. He has been a turnover machine, having costly mistakes throughout the season. More often than not, the Cowboys have been able to overcome those mistakes as they went 8-4 with Prescott as the starter. However, the results have not always been pretty.
Despite playing in only 12 games this season, as he suffered a thumb injury that cost him five games earlier this season, Prescott led the NFL with 15 interceptions thrown. According to NFL on CBS, that makes Prescott the first player in league history to share or outright lead the league in interceptions despite missing at least five games.
That is certainly concerning as good teams, which Dallas will be facing off against in the postseason, will take advantage of those mistakes. He threw an interception in 10 out of his 12 starts this season, including the last seven games in a row.
Five times this season he threw multiple interceptions in a game, crippling what has been a very productive offense otherwise. It would be an unprecedented move, but Dallas should ensure that backup quarterback Cooper Rush is ready to go should he be thrust into action should Dak Prescott struggle early.
While the aerial offense wasn’t anywhere near as explosive with Rush under center, he was not as reckless with ball security. He finished the regular season with a higher QBR than Prescott, finishing with 60.0 compared to 58.3.
His performance against the Washington Commanders, in a meaningful game, certainly raised some red flags. Dak Prescott completed only 37.8 percent of his passes for 128 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
