Dak Prescott is operating at peak levels right now. It it wasn’t for the Dallas Cowboys’ team record, he’d be at the top of MVP conversation as Prescott’s execution and decision making have never been better. Of the quarterbacks with 300 or more snaps, he’s No. 2 in PFF performance grade, and of those with 200 or more plays, he ranks No. 3 in EPA + CPOE composite score.
Prescott’s 14 Big Time Throws (BTT) trail only Baker Mayfield and Matthew Stafford (15 apiece) and his five turnover-worthy plays rank fourth in the NFL, behind Josh Allen, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts, this, despite throwing more tight window throws than any other starter (per NFL Pro and Steven Ruiz of The Ringer).
Prescott is operating at a level rarely seen in the NFL and at a level that’s quite possibly never been seen in Dallas. Yet, despite it all, it hasn’t been enough to give the Cowboy a winning record six weeks into the season. It’s a testament to how poorly the defense has been performing in 2025 and another solid argument that wins are not a QB stat.
Total yards per game on offense and allowed on defense this season pic.twitter.com/5Tj0eMWi1e
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 15, 2025
At some point there will be the inevitable temptation for Prescott to press.
Just last Sunday, Prescott handed things off to his defense with 6:07 left on the clock. He never got the ball back. Knowing that every drive has to count and any drive could be his last, Prescott will be tempted to force things and abandon that previously noted decision making that has led to such a high level of play. It’s a temptation he must resist.
It would be one thing if the circumstances unfolded on a micro level. For instance, if the defense suffered multiple late-game injuries, or fatigue reached critical mass deep in the fourth quarter, Prescott then might be asked to risk it all for a drive in a temporary act of protection. But this is not that situation.
The Cowboys are less than halfway through the 2025 season and are thoroughly convinced they have the ability to turn things around on defense. From the coaching staff to the front office, statements have been made signaling this belief.
Whether any of that faith is based in reality or not is beside the point.
There’s time left in the season and personnel talented enough on the current roster to surely perform better. Even if the front office has chronically overrated the talent on the team, the roster is certainly more talented than their current standing as worst in the NFL.
Top-15 quarterbacks in total adjusted EPA @Unexpected_Pts
Who has gotten the most help (negative adjustments):
Jordan LoveThe least help (positive adj):
Justin HerbertDak with a healthy lead at the top, combining volume and efficiency pic.twitter.com/7D48FZLOeh
— Kevin Cole (@KevinCole___) October 15, 2025
It’s safe to say even with a dramatic improvement, expecting anything above league average would be farfetched for this defensive unit. This team will have to advance because of their offense and that requires Prescott maintaining his elite level of play.
The Cowboys need Prescott to stay the course. They can’t have him thinking he has to score every drive in order to win. That mindset will lead to poor decisions and disaster. We get it, Prescott wants to win – we all want to win – but the defense’s deficiencies are on the defense and only they can sort that out.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dak Prescott cannot allow the Cowboys defense to influence his game
