During the 2020 season, Dak Prescott was on his way to having a historic season.
In his first five games, he had over 1,800 passing yards and nine touchdowns.
However, a devastating injury would end his shot at breaking the single-season passing yards record.
But now, since returning from his injury, he’s dangerously close to becoming just an average quarterback.
While he made the playoffs last season, the Dallas Cowboys were one and done at home.
So what are some things pointing to the star quarterback heading towards being just an average player?
Passing Yards Declined After His Return From Injury
Since his 2017 season, Prescott’s total passing yards and yards per game have increased each year.
However, his 2021 season saw a decline in those numbers.
His 2020 season, where he suffered a season-ending injury, saw him with an average of 371.2 yards per game in just five games.
It was his highest average for his career.
But since that season, he hasn’t seen passing yards like that.
Some blame might come from his injury, which some thought would be difficult to recover from.
My dislike of the Cowboys is just as much if not more than my dislike of Tottenham Hotspurs, but I don't think I can ever unsee that Dak Prescott injury. I wouldn't wish that on anyone and I hope that he can recover from that and play this sport again.
— Brandi ⚒ 🏳️⚧️ (@calgaryirons) October 12, 2020
While he’s still proving to be a good quarterback for Dallas in the NFC East, that injury he suffered could cause long-term issues.
It already gave him issues in 2021, which saw him miss one game because of an issue with his right-calf.
The right leg was the leg that suffered the devastating dislocation of his ankle.
However, there’s a chance Prescott overcomes that injury.
While the first season returning from it saw his passing numbers go down, he had improvements in other areas.
Prescott Had 37 TDs In 2021, The Most In His Career
The improvement with passing touchdowns last season shows he can still produce with scoring.
However, most of those touchdowns came against poor teams and during blowout games.
But does this mean that he can’t perform against teams with tougher secondaries?
Not necessarily, as he’s performed well against teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots last season.
In his first game after an offseason spent worrying about a different injury from his gruesome ankle dislocation and compound fracture, Dak carved up the Bucs defense for over 400 yards and 3 TDs. Sure, TB's secondary was short-handed, but what Prescott did tonight was special. https://t.co/p55SjN6p9X
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) September 10, 2021
But he’s also struggled against teams that he should easily have multiple touchdowns against.
There’s also one other thing that has people thinking he could become just an average quarterback.
Prescott’s 1-3 Record In NFL Playoffs Concerns Fans
Getting playoff wins separate good quarterbacks from the great ones.
However, in Prescott’s case, he hasn’t gotten it done in the NFL playoffs.
But some of that blame doesn’t rest on him, as his defense hasn’t backed him up in one of those playoff losses.
In his first ever NFL playoff game, he had three touchdowns and was minutes away from defeating the Green Bay Packers.
However, his defense could not help him secure the win, as they lost 34-31.
Since then, he hasn’t had over one touchdown in each of his playoff games.
Without him giving the Cowboys that great regular season performance during the playoffs, the team can’t secure wins.
It could be the reason that Prescott ends up as just an average quarterback, as he can’t win during the playoffs.
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