Photo via Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports
Dak Prescott has earned the right to start his first career playoff game for the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round at AT&T Stadium against the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys went 13-3 for the third time in franchise history and they have home field advantage in the NFC Playoffs. If they reach the Super Bowl, they will play in Houston.
He dealt with the pressure of replacing Tony Romo and his numbers were flawless, particularly his ability to throw 23 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions. He started all 16 games and he completed 68 percent of his passes while throwing for 3,667 passing yards. He also used his mobility to opportunistic effect. Despite rushing only 57 times, Prescott had 282 rushing yards for an average five yards per carry and six rushing touchdowns.
The analytics were also favorable to Prescott. According to Pro Football Reference, he had an approximate value of 15, which was tied for fifth best in the NFL. He had the same value as Le’Veon Bell. Compared to his teammates, only Ezekiel Elliott and Sean Lee had a higher approximate value.
Prescott had the presence of an experienced quarterback, even though he was a rookie. The Cowboys notched quality wins over the Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions and outstanding road wins over the Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He got rewarded with a Pro Bowl nomination in his rookie season.
He displays the intangibles to lead the Cowboys on a playoff run.
The one perception about Prescott is that he is hesitant, or is unable to throw the football down the field. It’s the one aspect about Prescott’s repertoire that keeps alive the idea of playing Romo. It’s just a small idea at this point, but the fact that it remains a possibility is significant. Romo was one of the best at throwing the football down the field.
However, that perception about Prescott is not accurate. Prescott averaged eight yards per pass attempt and only Matt Ryan, Tom Brady and Kirk Cousins averaged more. His yards per average plus is 119, which is above the average of 100.
When Prescott throws the ball between 11 and 20 yards, he’s completed 60 percent of his passes with six touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 114.9. The only quarterback in the playoffs with a higher rating is Brady. On all passes of 11 yards or longer, Prescott has completed 53 percent of his passes, but he has 12 touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 87.7.
When the Cowboys are on third down and between three and eight yards, Prescott completed 62 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 93.2. And when the Cowboys faced third and long, which is nine yards or more, Prescott completed 63 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and a passer rating of 89.8. Only Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Ryan are better.
He also played well when the games were on the line with five comebacks, which was third best in the NFL and five game-winning drives, which was fourth best.
The playoffs are a different game, but everything about Prescott is different.
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