Things didn’t look a whole lot different for the Dallas Cowboys in the much-anticipated return of quarterback Dak Prescott.
And that was good for the home team.
Much like Cooper Rush, who filled in as the Cowboys’ starter during No. 4’s five-week absence, Prescott didn’t do anything spectacular Sunday against Detroit at AT&T Stadium. His statistics were pedestrian (by his standards) and he ultimately rode the chaos created by the Cowboys’ defense.
Prescott’s place on the sideline allowed him to see he would not need to light up the Lions with dazzling numbers.
“This is about the team,” Prescott said after the Cowboys pushed aside a game Lions squad to score a 24-6 victory and move to 5-2. “This is a great team win – what I’ve been watching for the past five weeks. It’s great to be back and be a part of it.”
The Haughton product, who has been absent since breaking a bone in his throwing hand in Week 1, overthrew receiver Noah Brown on his first attempt of the game, but recovered to complete 19 of 25 passes for 207 yards. He posted his first touchdown throw of the year – a 2-yarder to tight end Peyton Hendershot with 1:55 left in the game.
“A win is a win. I don’t care how it gets done. I actually thought it was going to be pretty cool if we won without throwing a touchdown,” Prescott said. “That’s just the mind-set right now.”
The Cowboys trailed 6-3 at the half, but took their first lead after the Lions’ first third-quarter drive ended on an interception by Trevon Diggs. Dallas then drove 82 yards and found the end zone with a 1-yard plunge by Ezekiel Elliott – his first of two scores.
Despite the 5-2 start, the Cowboys are still in third place in the NFC East. The Philadelphia Eagles, 6-0, enjoyed their off week, while the New York Giants (6-1) rallied to win at Jacksonville on Sunday.
The Cowboys remain at home for a Week 8 matchup against the Chicago Bears (2-4), who will have a short week following Monday’s night’s game at New England.
There is no question, if Prescott stays healthy, there will be weeks that contain gaudy numbers. The Cowboys led the league in offense last season and Prescott garnered nearly 5,000 passing yards in 2019.
However, the time Prescott spent as an observer allowed him to see, and believe, the Cowboys’ defense, special teams and running game provided formidable complements to his right arm and powerful legs.
Nothing needs to be forced.
“I don’t know if I would have felt it without watching the past five weeks,” Prescott said.
Contact Roy at roylangiii@yahoo.com
