Dak Prescott’s encouraging words, philanthropy and support for mental health awareness are admirable. They are parts of what make him the perfect leader for the Dallas Cowboys on and off the field.
At the end of the day, however, Jerry Jones pays Dak Prescott to win games and shine brightest in moments that reveal your character. Marquee, prime-time games like his matchup against Patrick Mahomes on “Sunday Night Football.”
Prescott was down his top two receivers. Amari Cooper had COVID and Cee Dee Lamb suffered a concussion with the 19-9 loss still within reach.
Man, that’s a substantial bounce off the ground for CeeDee Lamb’s head. Out for the rest of today, per the FOX telecast. And I would bet you don’t see him on Thursday, either.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) November 21, 2021
Prescott had an opportunity to lock down the total trust of Cowboys fans and the media mouthpieces who sing the Boys’ praises each week. He came out flat and never got the juices going. Injuries aside, it is rather perplexing that Dak didn’t bring the high energy against the Chiefs.
Maybe the calf still isn’t right.
Skip Bayless wasn’t trying to hear any excuses about Prescott’s underwhelming effort, giving Dak an F for his efforts. He basically said Prescott checked out early in this one. Much respect to the Chiefs defense for playing inspired, but this wasn’t the ’85 Chicago Bears Dak was facing.
Skip Bayless Trashes Dak With “F” Grade
.@RealSkipBayless gives Dak Prescott an 'F' for his performance in loss to Chiefs:
"This game hit me like a LeBron James sucker punch, right in the face!" 🤣 pic.twitter.com/0pRsoI7swC
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) November 22, 2021
Skip’s tongue-lashing is fueled by his fandom for the Dallas Cowboys. The game wasn’t a total disaster for Prescott, and it didn’t affect his team’s hold on the NFC East. He takes accountability for his poor play and never tries to pass the buck.
Dak Prescott: “I’m not disappointed. I’m pissed off.” pic.twitter.com/J62CgR6hth
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 22, 2021
He also supported wide receiver Amari Cooper’s right to remain unvaccinated and wouldn’t let the media place the blame on Cooper’s absence. “That’s my brother,” said Prescott while defending Cooper’s personal health choices.
Jerry Jones Is Still Nervous About His Investment
Owner Jerry Jones didn’t dish out $160M because Dak is a great person. Locking up Dak was supposed to be the final financial piece to Dallas getting back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1996. So with all due respect to Dak, he came up short against a potential Super Bowl competitor.
Two hundred-sixteen passing yards, 0 TDs and two picks isn’t the kind of performance you would expect from your franchise quarterback in a game where his team needed him to elevate his play and that of his teammates.
There’s tons of blame to go around. Offensive line has been shoddy. Receivers have dropped passes. Etc. etc. etc.
But when you’re the $160M quarterback, you have to show up for a game like this.
Dak has not, through the first half. https://t.co/TNXZ4xeQcD
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) November 21, 2021
Dak played uninspired football, and despite the lack of receiving weapons and some drops, he still had Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield and enough professional talent to outscore a Kansas City offense that is still not firing on all cylinders. Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been ninja sharp, but his grit and savvy have allowed him to do just enough to help his team win.
Dallas has a long season to go and Dak will rebound with a better performance. Beating up on undermanned NFC East teams doesn’t make a quarterback elite. Dak has to beat the Raiders on Thursday and put the nightmare against K.C. in the rearview quickly.
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