The NFL hasn’t learned an obvious lesson about Cowboys QB Dak Prescott
Some quarterbacks aren't supposed to be blitzed in the NFL. Sure, there are some spots here and there in which you need to turn up the heat no matter who's on the other side of the line of scrimmage. But some names you've got to respect more than others. Patrick Mahomes. Josh Allen. Tom Brady. […]
Some quarterbacks aren't supposed to be blitzed in the NFL. Sure, there are some spots here and there in which you need to turn up the heat no matter who's on the other side of the line of scrimmage. But some names you've got to respect more than others.
Patrick Mahomes.
Josh Allen.
Tom Brady.
You know, among others. But for some odd reason, defensive coordinators in this league haven't stopped blitzing Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Well, they should.
After all, the Cowboys signal-caller has been a certified blitz assassin pretty much his entire career. This season is no exception as Prescott ranks among the best quarterbacks in just about every category when blitzed.
As he's turned the Cowboys' offense into one of the best in the league since his return in Week 7, Prescott has been as good as ever against the blitz. Here's where Pro Football Focushas him in each of the next statistics:
- 3rd best completion percentage
- 6th highest PFF passing/offense grade
- 11th in passer rating
In spite of those numbers, Prescott is the 6th most blitzed QB in the NFL this season (percentage-wise). In other words, despite getting burned again and again, teams keep blitzing the Cowboys quarterback.
Why? It's really hard to understand what defensive coordinators' motivations are. Perhaps they underestimate the quarterback. Because one thing we can't say is that it's working. It's simply not and the numbers – and tape – prove it.
It isn't that the Cowboys have simplistic answers to the blitz, either. Dak's average depth of target isn't among the lowest in the league, which would probably suggest a lot of screen passes and checkdowns. He just beats it, consistently.
This year, the Cowboys are getting even better against the blitz as they've been able to play chess in the pass protection world and they've been more sound against simulated pressures, too.
Whereas last season they struggled to stop the Arizona Cardinals' creative games at the line of scrimmage, for example, Kellen Moore's offense has more answers at its disposal now. In last week's game against the New York Giants for example they consistently beat Wink Martindale's blitzes.
Because of Prescott, Moore, and OL coach Joe Philbin, NFL teams would be smart to stop blitzing the Cowboys so often. I call it the "Dak Mistake" now.
For more on this and the Cowboys (as well as some Xs and Os and tape study of one specific play against the blitz), check out Tuesday's episode of my nightly show A to Z Sports Dallas Primetime below!
Featured image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
