The NFL has a Dak Prescott problem and it’s not going away anytime soon

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback is playing elite football through two games of the regular season.

Mauricio Rodriguez — Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during warmups as wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) looks on before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium.
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Dak Prescott is playing elite football two games into the 2025 NFL regular season. And it’s not even hard to notice. For teams hoping Dallas’ roster issues would knock them out of the running, they have another thing coming. This kind of QB play is a problem any week of the season.

Heading into Week 3, Prescott leads the NFL in big-time throws with nine, per PFF. The film shows the Cowboys’ quarterback is making high-difficulty throws, including impressive throws into double coverage, placing the ball in the one spot that CeeDee Lamb is the only one who can catch it. That’s just one of many examples. Prescott has also made impressive downfield throws down the seam, sideline, and everywhere on the gridiron.

Prescott has also been a master of maneuvering the pocket. Though Dallas’ pass blocking is the worst-graded in the entire league by PFF, Prescott has found time in the pocket to make these impressive plays. He’s the sixth-most pressured quarterback in the NFL, though only the 23rd most sacked. In other words, even though his protection hasn’t held up, he’s made plays.

And the craziest part is his legs might be back. Not only did Prescott scramble in overtime to set up a 46-yard game-winning field goal, but he showed his wheels on a run play getting downfield to block (or celebrate). Seriously, if Prescott starts weaponizing his running skills again, it will only complement the elite passing he’s displayed in two games.

Three reasons why Prescott’s elite play isn’t going anywhere

  1. George Pickens: We know about Lamb already, so let me talk about the newest Dallas playmaker. Pickens gives the offense another dimension thanks to his ability to win in isolated situations. That’s how he made his biggest plays on Sunday, including a go-ahead touchdown with under one minute to go in the fourth quarter. When defenses double Lamb, Prescott now has a go-to player. That’s huge for a Cowboys team that’s seen No. 88 taken away in the biggest games due to a lack of a true No. 2 threat in years past.
  2. Run Game: This could be the best rushing offense Prescott has had to back him up in years. Not only is Javonte Williams a top-three running back in success rate, per Pro Football Reference, but the scheme is the most creative we’ve seen in Dallas in years. The Cowboys are using motion at the snap and pulling blockers at a much higher rate than in the Mike McCarthy and Kellen Moore years.
  3. Schottenheimer’s passing game: Speaking of scheme, two things have stood out from the passing game this year. There’s more motion at the snap to open up receivers, and the use of crossing routes is becoming a feature of the offense. Additionally, Schottenheimer is doing a good job of scheming protection to make up for the team’s offensive line woes.

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