Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy is confident in Dak Prescott, but should he be?
The Cowboys’ 31-28 loss to the Packers on Sunday led to the reemergence of Dak Prescott doubters, but Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy has full confidence in his quarterback.
“I think his best days are ahead of him,” McCarthy said in a Thursday news conference. “I have zero concerns about Dak.”
Concerns over Prescott arose after his erratic play in Green Bay. He threw for three touchdowns but was intercepted twice. The picks gave the Packers momentum, allowing them to erase a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Per the Associated Press, the Cowboys let a 14-point fourth-quarter lead slip through their fingers for the first time in franchise history.
Aside from the loss to the Packers, Prescott has struggled in critical situations, especially on third down. Per ESPN, he has completed 46 percent of his passing attempts on third down, below the league average.
Prescott’s completion percentage has dipped from 68.6 percent in 2021 to 63.8 percent in four starts this season.
He suffered a fractured right thumb in Week 1 and missed six games, which could explain why Prescott is less accurate. It’s normal to have some discomfort after the recovery period. A lingering thumb injury isn’t ideal.
Over the next two weeks, the Cowboys face a demanding portion of their schedule. Dallas (6-3) must play the Vikings (8-1) on the road Sunday and at home against the Giants (7-2) on Thanksgiving, so it needs a laser-sharp Prescott.
Prescott has flashed his 2021 form, recording an above-average 102.1 passer rating since returning, but he must be more consistent.
