Dallas Cowboys

Has the Dallas Cowboys hot hand gone cold?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

After an unbelievable and unprecedented start to the season for rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, it is fair to wonder if his hot hand has gone cold.

Dec 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) after missing a 3rd down attempt forcing a punt in the 1st half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

It certainly has been an interesting season, to say the least, for the Dallas Cowboys.  For a team that is used to being heavily scrutinized, the microscope of 2016 is nothing new.

The main reason, this time, is the attention revolving around the most important position on the field.

The quarterback.

It all began before the season ever did.  One August night in Seattle, quarterback Tony Romo suffered a back injury that begot the emergence of rookie Dak Prescott.

Immediately after the injury, there was no question, according to owner Jerry Jones, that it was “Tony’s team.”

After a 4-1 start, Jones stuck to his guns, stating that “Tony is our No. 1 quarterback and we’re going to have the luxury of being able to, I think, see them both.”

Another win the following week and the Jones’ rambles turned into a query of who gave you best the chance to win.  A sixth consecutive win caused a declaration to be made that the Dallas Cowboys would “ride the hot hand.”

The seventh win in a row forced Jones to concede that they would “probably never really have it sorted out.”

Finally, following a thrilling win in Pittsburgh, Romo helped sort it out for everyone.  Doing what was best for the team, he delivered one of the most historic press conferences in NFL history.

That speech, along with the results that the team produced with Prescott at the helm, should have put the story to rest. The performance from Prescott the following week (27/36 for 301 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in a 27-17 win) should have been the emphatic period.

Unfortunately, from the point on, Prescott’s performances have done nothing but open up the biggest Pandora’s box you could possibly have.

Dec 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) warms up prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Two extremely fortunate wins followed by a pathetic loss has started to raise questions regarding whether that hot hand has gone cold.  It could not come at a worse time.

This is not about one guy or the other.  This is about what is best for the team.  No one could possibly argue that Prescott has been what is best for this team for almost the entire season.

To be fair, however, it’s completely questionable as to whether that is still the case.

The truth is that the Dallas Cowboys defense has played their hearts out for three straight weeks with almost no help at all from the offense.  That is, in large part, due to Dak and his drop off.

Prescott has failed to throw for more than 200 yards in three straight games.  That might be acceptable if it were 1976.  Not so much in 2016.  Due to these lackluster efforts, there are now 17 quarterbacks with more passing yards than his total of 3,139.

His completion percentage since Thanksgiving is a full ten percent lower than his season total.  Dak has also failed to convert a pass on third down in the last two weeks.  That’s simply not going to cut it.

As a result, the team has suffered greatly.  After scoring more than 28 points per game in their first eleven outings, the Dallas Cowboys have scored just 24 in their last two.

Now, to be fair, Dallas has ran into two incredibly tough pass defenses, on the road, nonetheless.

Minnesota ranks third in passing yards allowed, opposing quarterback completion percentage, sacks and opposing quarterback rating.  The Giants are second in both opposing rating and completion percentage.

Unfortunately, excuses like that are not a luxury this team can afford.  When you play for the biggest prize in your sport, you can expect the competition to stiffen.  The Vikings, Giants or even the Seahawks could all be potential playoff matchups.

Nov 24, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and quarterback Tony Romo (9) throw warm up passes before the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Will thirteen regular season wins matter if they can’t score double-digits in January?

Next Sunday’s opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have a stout defense as well.  This is particularly true over the last month.  They have allowed just under 13 points per game over their five game win streak.  They have forced 10 interceptions, 13 sacks and have four fumble recoveries in that span.

Will another poor performance create another change at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys?

If you ask Jones, it’s pretty clear.

And what about the head coach?  What does Jason Garrett have to say about it?

It seems as though it’s a moot point.  No matter what Prescott does, it looks like the job is his for the foreseeable future.

Just like it was Romo’s… until it wasn’t.

More from The Landry Hat

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from Dallas Cowboys Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Dallas Cowboys

National Football League