On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Cowboy way is never easy; it comes with trials and tribulations, and Dak Prescott has had these two things in spades.
Being the face of the world’s most recognized and valuable franchise could not be handled by many, but Dak Prescott has, without any transgressions.
No matter what this man accomplishes in his career, he will always be the scapegoat because he is the quarterback of America’s Team.
The limelight never seems too big for Prescott, but he gets slack for his playoff record and lack of Super Bowls. How does he match up in all the important categories for a quarterback compared to other superstar quarterbacks?
Let’s compare Dak Prescott’s career with that of some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL since 2016 and see if the bad press is warranted.
The list of quarterbacks chosen will be from the top five active quarterbacks in win totals since 2016.
Dak Prescott vs. Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes is the winningest quarterback in the NFL since he was drafted in 2017, with 89 wins and 23 losses in the regular season.
He is also 12-3 in the playoffs and has three Super Bowls.
Since 2016, Dak Prescott has had 76 wins and 46 losses. His playoff record is 2–5, and he has not been to the Super Bowl.
In his eight seasons, Mahomes has 5,530 dropbacks and a completion percentage of 66.8%. He has thrown for 38,168 yards, 291 touchdowns, and 84 interceptions.
In his nine seasons, Prescott has 4,925 dropbacks and a completion percentage of 66.7%. He has thrown for 33,398 yards, 227 touchdowns, and 89 interceptions.
Fairly even statistically, remember that Mahomes has a whole season on Prescott due to season-ending injuries to the Cowboys quarterback.
The only area in which Prescott does not compare favorably to Mahomes is the most important: playoff wins and Super Bowls.
Seems like everyone agrees that Dak’s playoff performance is the biggest knock against him, right?
Well, here’s a list of ALL active NFL QBs with a better Playoff EPA per play from 2016-on than Dak currently;
Patrick Mahomes
Aaron Rodgers
Matt Stafford
Russell… pic.twitter.com/0twA0i4dAu— Outl✭w (@OutlawCowboyNFL) August 11, 2023
Dak Prescott vs. Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is dynamic, but how does Dak Prescott compare to the man from Baltimore?
Rushing is Jackson’s superpower. He has 1,108 rushing attempts, 6,813 rushing yards, 6.1 yards per carry, 36 touchdowns, and 72 fumbles.
Prescott is not a big-time runner. He has 452 rushing attempts, 2,100 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per carry, 33 touchdowns, and 63 fumbles.
The difference here is that Jackson has only 320 scrambles, plays not designed to be runs, or 28% of his attempts, compared to Prescott’s 204, or 45%.
Jackson is a running back in a quarterback’s body.
Now the rushing is out of the way, let’s look at passing.
Lamar Jackson entered the league in 2018, so we will start there for both players.
Since 2018, Lamar Jackson has had 3,377 dropbacks and a completion percentage of 64.5%. He has thrown for 21,812 yards, 176 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions.
Since 2018, Dak Prescott has had 3,817 dropbacks and a completion percentage of 67.1%. He has thrown for 26,105 yards, 179 touchdowns, and 71 interceptions.
Dak takes the passing in this comparison, but what do wins and losses look like between the two?
Lamar Jackson is 74-29 in his career during the regular season, with a winning percentage of 71.8%. He is 3-5 in the playoffs, with no Super Bowl appearances.
From 2018 to now, Dak Prescott has been 54-36, with a winning percentage of 60%. Dak Prescott is 2-5 with no Super Bowl appearances.
If Dak Prescott’s first two years are calculated, he has a 76-46 regular-season record.
The only area Lamar Jackson is winning is rushing.
Both are terrible in the playoffs.
Dak Prescott vs. Josh Allen
Josh Allen is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and not many people would argue with that statement.
However, Josh Allen and Dak Prescott are very similar in statistics and winning.
Since 2018, Josh Allen has had 4,671 dropbacks and a completion percentage of 63.6%. He has thrown for 29,794 yards, 220 touchdowns, and 88 interceptions.
Since 2018, Dak Prescott has had 3,817 dropbacks and a completion percentage of 67.1%. He has thrown for 26,105 yards, 179 touchdowns, and 71 interceptions.
Josh Allen’s regular-season wins and losses are 76-35. He has a playoff win/loss record of 7-6 with no Super Bowl wins.
Dak Prescott has been 54-36 since 2018, and 76-46, with all seasons included.
Dak Prescott matches up pretty well to Josh Allen for comparison’s sake.
For as much grief as Dak Prescott takes as the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, he matches up well with three of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Many fans, pundits, and media talking heads talk about Dak not being a top-5 quarterback in this league. The only things that separate the others, not including Lamar Jackson, are playoff wins and Super Bowls.
Yes, playoff wins and Super Bowls matter, but when talking about Dak Prescott, his entire body of work needs to be considered.
CRAZY#Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has a better playoff quarterback rating than the greatest QB of all time Tom Brady.
Despite all the hate, Dak has been extremely underrated in the playoffs in his career. pic.twitter.com/VC0cQWZxgS
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 21, 2025
Will his entire body of work be taken into account? No, no, it will not. He will get the Tony Romo treatment, go down in the Cowboys’ history books, and be forgotten.
If Dak Prescott does not win a Super Bowl, he will be forgotten by the NFL.
And that’s the Cowboy way.
More must-reads:
- Caleb Williams reveals why Bears players were annoyed with Matt Eberflus
- Titans’ L’Jarius Sneed sued over shooting
- The 'AP NFL Comeback Players of the Year' quiz
Breaking News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Vikings Trade Pitch Lands Gunslinger QB With Sam Darnold Upside
The Minnesota Vikings have watched idly as the free-agent quarterback pool has dried up. Two more potential fits for the Vikings quarterback room became unavailable on Friday, April 12. Joe Flacco signed with the Cleveland Browns and Drew Lock to the Seattle Seahawks. That leaves few options available for finding a quarterback capable of keeping the Vikings' season afloat if anything were to happen to J.J. McCarthy. However, Locks' arrival in Seattle has cast doubt on another quarterback, who could become available by trade. If the Vikings pursue him, he could undergo the same quarterback rehab Sam Darnold did before he landed a lucrative deal with Seattle. Seahawks beat reporter for the Tacoma News Tribune Gregg Bell reported that Lock's signing has put fourth-year quarterback Sam Howell's future in doubt. Last season, the former Washington Commanders fifth-round picks struggled in relief of Geno Smith, getting sacked four times and completing just five passes of 19 dropbacks after he was thrust into action against the Green Bay Packers. The year before, Howell was done no favors by a Commanders organization that was undergoing a transition of ownership and drafted Jayden Daniels No. 2 overall the next year. Unlike seventh-rounder Brock Purdy, who was plugged into a ready-to-win San Francisco 49ers team, Howell had no support a Day 3 pick at quarterback would need to be successful. Backstopped by a defense that allowed the most points in the league, the Commanders offense became one-dimensional, often playing from behind. Howell attempted the most passes in the league (612) and led the NFL in sacks (65) and interceptions (21). There's plenty of work to be done. However, the former North Carolina quarterback, who is tied with Drake Maye for the most passing touchdowns thrown in a single season, has a gunslinger mentality that Kevin O'Connell relished with former backup Nick Mullens. Some draft pundits saw him as a second-round talent, including NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. Howell's footwork and timing have been the bane of his career so far. But in a system as complementary to quarterbacks as the Vikings, Howell, who will be just 25 years old entering the 2025 season, could undergo a similar career reboot as Sam Darnold, who battled with the same issues earlier in his career. The Seahawks gave up third- and sixth-round picks for Howell and fourth- and sixth-round picks, essentially landing Howell for moving back 24 spots to the tail-end of the third round. It's looking like a bad deal that has left a bad taste in Seattle. The Lock signing is a sign they may be ready to rid themselves and recoup anything they can for Howell. The options are scarce as the Vikings remain idle on finding their QB2, but Howell would be a fitting candidate for O'Connell's quarterback school. Howell could develop in the background with the potential of returning to action with renewed mechanics and confidence. Darnold was more physically gifted coming out of college, but if the Vikings could elevate Howell to a level between Darnold and Mullens, they would have the ideal backup to support McCarthy who could make a run if needed.
South Carolina Player's Dad Sends Strong Message to Dawn Staley After Departing Team
Grading Bleacher Report’s Penguins-Canadiens Erik Karlsson trade
Erik Karlsson and Patrik Laine must be sick of being in trade rumors. The two players seem to always be in the middle of it, which they can take in two ways. On one hand, it could mean opposing fan bases want them on their team. However, on the other hand, it could mean they wear out their welcome quickly. There is no reason to believe the Pittsburgh Penguins or Montreal Canadiens are shopping these players, but Bleacher Report believes a trade between the teams would make sense. Karlsson heads to Montreal in exchange for Laine in a one-for-one swap in their proposed trade. Erik Karlsson is a redundant entity for Canadiens Laine fits perfectly with the Canadiens. He hasn’t been the greatest at five-on-five, but Kent Hughes knew that when he acquired him. It isn’t always pretty for Laine, but he does one thing exceptionally better than almost everyone else (except one particular all-time leading goalscorer). Laine can sit at the top of the left circle on the powerplay, wait for a pass, and easily rip pucks into the net. Laine and Lane Hutson have great chemistry on the powerplay unit. Hutson is quickly becoming one of the top offensive defensemen in the league, and he will likely win the Calder Trophy this season. The possibility of combining Hutson and Laine on the powerplay in the future is too good for the Canadiens to pass up. One weak point of the Canadiens’ powerplay is the right flank, considering they don’t have an elite offensive mind with a left-handed shot. Enter Ivan Demidov. The fifth-overall pick in last year’s draft will make his NHL debut on Monday evening against the Chicago Blackhawks, and the excitement is at an all-time high. Demidov is the left-handed shot that the Canadiens have been missing, and he is also sure to improve Laine’s play at five-on-five if inserted onto the second line with the Finnish sniper. How mad would Canadiens fans be if they passed up the opportunity to have Laine, Hutson, and Demidov around the perimeter of their powerplay for at least another season? Karlsson could come to Montreal and take Laine’s spot, but that eliminates the shot option. He isn’t going to dethrone Hutson as the quarterback of the unit. So, what would his purpose be when his five-on-five defensive play isn’t up to par? Patrik Laine won’t change the Penguins One positive for the Penguins is that Laine’s contract ends sooner than Karlsson’s. Sure, Pittsburgh’s first mistake was acquiring Karlsson, but that doesn’t mean they have to add another overpriced option to make up for it. Laine could stay with the Canadiens or Penguins on a cheaper deal, but he still isn’t the type of player the Penguins need to contend. Pittsburgh already has the seventh-best powerplay unit in the league, operating at a 25 percent clip. It isn’t surprising considering they have players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Karlsson. Good powerplays are crucial to a team’s success, but that doesn’t mean it is the only deciding factor. Pittsburgh has to get better in all facets of their game, and as already mentioned, Laine doesn’t move the needle at five-on-five. It’d be nothing but a lateral move for the Penguins, as they trade one powerplay specialist with defensive deficiencies for a forward version of that. The only real advantage would be shedding $8 million off their cap a year sooner than Karlsson’s $10 million deal expires, but that’s something they can work around in various ways. The Penguins must stop worrying about Crosby and Malkin’s feelings and pick a lane. The team isn’t improving until they rebuild, and Kyle Dubas may as well accept that fate. While they pretend they will try to contend for their veteran core, the team’s future looks bleaker and bleaker. Pittsburgh has tons of salary cap space they can use this offseason to try to plug holes, but it’s likely not sustainable long-term. Can Dubas do enough to give them a chance next season? Maybe, but you may as well do it with Karlsson instead of changing things with Laine. Grades and final thoughts The proposed trade is a good idea, but it doesn’t make sense in theory. It is especially perplexing for the Canadiens, as their surprising playoff push has the team and its fans in their best frame of mind since the rebuild began. It’d be short-sighted to upset the momentum and bring in a personality like Karlsson. Keep Hutson comfortable on the powerplay, let him, Laine, and Demidov cook in 2025-26, and possibly convince Laine to return on a cheaper deal. The deal would make more sense for the Penguins, but not much. Pittsburgh has to stop making lateral moves, and until they do, the team is going nowhere quickly. Montreal Canadiens grade: D- Pittsburgh Penguins grade: D+
'Made the right call': Azzi Fudd’s UConn decision gets positive support from NCAA analyst
Tennessee HC Josh Heupel has telling comment on Nico Iamaleava controversy
Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel offered a telling quote about quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s NIL controversy and departure. Heupel discussed Iamaleava’s decision to enter the transfer portal after failing to come to a new NIL agreement with Tennessee. While Heupel stopped short of calling out Iamaleava, his comment about the quarterback’s decision certainly felt quite pointed. "It’s the state of college football," Heupel said. "At the end of the day, no one is ever bigger than the program. That includes me, too. We’ve got an opportunity. We’ve got a bunch of guys that will give their all for Tennessee." Whether meant that way or not, many read the last part of Heupel’s comments as a shot at Iamaleava. The implication is that the quarterback was focused on things other than the team, and the remaining Vols players do not share that lack of focus. Heupel’s comments are somewhat backed by the fact that Iamaleava was a no-show at Friday’s practice as his NIL dispute wore on. That was said to be a major inflection point for Tennessee and a big incentive for the school to simply move on. If so, it certainly underlines Heupel’s message that the program has to come first. Iamaleava was looking for a significant raise in his NIL deal before things went south with Tennessee. He will enter the transfer portal and look for a school that will give him what he wants. The Vols, on the other hand, seem perfectly comfortable moving on with no regrets.
Paul Bissonnette Reveals the Next Cale Makar is Likely Already in the NHL
There's been plenty of hype around the arrival of Alexander Nikishin in Carolina, and now former NHLer Paul Bissonnette has upped the praise with major comparison. Over the past few weeks, we've seen the arrival of a handful of young players that are ready to make their mark in the NHL, with the biggest of all being SKA St. Petersburg star Ivan Demidov, who is set to make his Montreal Canadiens debut in the regular season. That arrival has somewhat overshadowed his teammate Alexander Nikishin, who, after plenty of speculation and doubt has officially inked a deal to join the Carolina Hurricanes. The 23-year old was drafted by the 'Canes in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft, and after hitting the ground running in the KHL for SKA St. Petersburg, he's been fantastic for the team over the past few years. Now, his arrival in the NHL is imminent, with former NHLer turned podcast host/media personality Paul Bissonnette heaping both the praise and the pressure on the young defenseman with a major comparison. HE'S COMING Some are saying the Russian Cale Makar. Can this get the Canes over the hump? We will see. In a social media post, Biz compared him to Cale Makar, and after posting 30 goals this season, as well as making an immediate impact upon his NHL debut, that's a lot of pressure to put on a young man. Over the past three years, Nikishin has tallied 55, 56 and 46 points for SKA in the KHL, and with good size and physicality, he's ready to make an impact at the NHL, but now only time will tell if the 'Russian Cale Makar' comparisons are accurate or not.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
