Cowboys: Dak Prescott just schooled us regarding obscure NFL rule
They say you learn something new every day, and this time, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was the teacher. When he connected with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for a touchdown from 20 yards out during their Week 4 win over the New England Patriots, I thought the same thing that crossed the minds of many […]
They say you learn something new every day, and this time, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was the teacher.
When he connected with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for a touchdown from 20 yards out during their Week 4 win over the New England Patriots, I thought the same thing that crossed the minds of many (if it didn't cross yours, kudos to you, dear reader): "Boom! A red zone touchdown! Finally!"
It turns out, it wasn't a red zone touchdown. As much as I kept looking at the official stats system of the NFL, it didn't show up as such. The good news (for me) is that I clearly wasn't the only one confused about the whole thing because reporters even ran this by Prescott, who had a response that made me feel just a tiny little bit foolish. After all, he said it in such a "well, duh?" way.
"Yeah I mean, if it's not inside the 20, it's not the red zone," Prescott told reporters postgame with a sneaky smile.
Well, that's definitely true. It turns out that the obscure NFL technicality really counts plays inside the 20. As in, not including the 20. It makes sense, to be honest. But in years of professionally covering the sport and even more of relentlessly watching it, I had no clue.
On a more serious note, it turns out the Cowboys even knew going into the game that it would be tough to get Lamb the football once they were inside the red zone because of Bill Belichick's ability to eliminate your best weapon in those situations.
"(Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer) actually told (Lamb) that for him to score it's going to have to be outside of the 20," Prescott admitted. "Credit to their defense, their scheme, and them trying to take away your best players when you get inside the red zone. (CeeDee) answered."
All in all, the Cowboys' red zone performance was one of the very few stains on what was a dominant, 35-point win. Officially, the Cowboys went 1-of-4 inside the red zone with the lone touchdown coming through a run by Hunter Luepke late in the game.
The Cowboys are moving the ball efficiently but still need to execute better when they're in scoring position. Dropped passes like Luke Schoonmaker's can't happen. Tony Pollard and Dak colliding in the backfield can't happen. At least, this time the lessons came from a comfortable win rather than a disastrous loss like in Week 3.
"It's a lot easier to get better with a win like this and a score like that," Prescott said.
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