Second Win Feels Empty as Dallas Cowboys Lose Dak Prescott
Headed into Week 5, it felt like the Dallas Cowboys were facing a must-win game against the New York Giants. The Giants felt like the perfect rival to bounce back from a disappointing 1-3 start. And though the scoreboard favored the Cowboys 37-34 at the end of the game, the team walked away from the […]
Headed into Week 5, it felt like the Dallas Cowboys were facing a must-win game against the New York Giants. The Giants felt like the perfect rival to bounce back from a disappointing 1-3 start. And though the scoreboard favored the Cowboys 37-34 at the end of the game, the team walked away from the playing field with the sense of a heartbreaking loss.
After all, Cowboys' Quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a terrible injury in the middle of the third quarter. As he rushed for a nine-yard gain, he fractured his right ankle and grasped it after going down.
It all felt odd. Prescott looked at his ankle, seemingly in disbelief. Team doctors ran into the field as the TV broadcast showed Dak's teammates in total shock. Mike McCarthy walked over to Dak while Jason Garrett, now in Giants' attire, joined him. The cart came out for Dak and close to 20 teammates, offensive and defensive, stood nearby to show support for their quarterback.
But the most difficult pill to swallow was Dak Prescott's face as he was carted off the field. It was a face of pain. The pain of not being able to stay on the playing field with his teammates. He raised his fist as fans on AT&T Stadium showed their support and finally, just before disappearing through the tunnel, pointed toward the sky.
Meanwhile, backup quarterback and former Cincinnati Bengal, Andy Dalton, stepped in and played the remainder of the game. With the help of some inspired play by the defense and some good runs from Ezekiel Elliott, the game was tied at 34 with 52 seconds left to play.
Finally, Dalton connected with Michael Gallup twice in the final drive and Greg Zuerlein scored three as the Cowboys found their way to a win.
But certainly, what happened on Sunday didn't feel like a win. Dak Prescott was playing under the tag through five weeks and was killing it. He was on pace to the single-season record for passing yards. He was connecting with rookie WR CeeDee Lamb while spreading targets throughout the entire offense. Despite a slow start from the team, Prescott's play was top notch.
Despite a terrible defense, fans had high hopes for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys. That was all thanks to the offense's potential under Dak. With a talented group of receivers, it was a matter of avoiding turnovers to become one of the league's best units.
Not to mention, Prescott's leadership is huge for the Cowboys. His teammates and coaches absolutely love him. Since he entered the league in 2016, many have spoken highly of his leadership skills and how he's naturally followed. In practice and in gameday, Dak gives it his all.
That was on display on Sunday when we saw the reaction to his injury. It happened on the field with his teammates surrounding the cart. It happened with the coaches as Garrett and McCarthy stood side by side. But it also happened in the broadcast booth as Tony Romo spoke highly of Dak and on social media as the NFL world reacted to Dak's injury, including a message from Troy Aikman.
But no one said it better than ESPN's Reporter Dianna Russini. Around the NFL, we are all on the same page when it comes to Prescott.
Prescott went through surgery Sunday night and it went "very well," per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for Week 6, it's difficult to know where the aspirations for this team are. Questions were already present after a slow start, and now that Dak is out of the picture questions will only increase.
This Cowboys team was supposed to be carried by the offense and without Prescott, that's a tough task. Andy Dalton is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league, though. With a strong supporting cast and in a mediocre NFC East, anything can happen.
For now, here at A to Z Sports Dallas, we wish Dak Prescott a speedy recovery.
Featured Image Via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
