There will be a lot at stake for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, and we’re not talking just about the playoffs.
Mike McCarthy’s team finished the season on a low note by being blown out by the eliminated Washington Commanders with rookie QB Sam Howell behind center.
Notably, Howell outplayed Dak Prescott, who threw his 15th pick of the season despite making just 12 appearances for America’s Team.
That’s why former NFL player Dan Orlovsky wants Dak to go back to basics and stop pressing so much, as that’s what’s leading to those avoidable mistakes:
“Watching him play is like the weight of the world is on his shoulders,” Orlovsky said on NFL Live. “Dak is pressing to be perfect and then pressing to not make a mistake. (…) And Dak proved he was better than a fourth-round pick and proved he was worthy of a starting job, and proved he was worthy of that contract by not trying to be that.”
Go play free
Don’t press. Don’t try to be PerfectJust go play#nfllive pic.twitter.com/VS3idk34oB
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 11, 2023
Orlovsky added that it seems like Prescott is playing with the weight of not winning a Super Bowl in more than two decades on his shoulders, and that’s not on him.
To make things even worse, he’ll face a stout defense on the road on Monday, and Tom Brady is 7-0 in his career against the Cowboys.
Also, with questions about Mike McCarthy’s job security looming around, Dak will need to be mentally strong and shut down all that outside noise to go back to being the player he used to be.
NEXT: NFL Analyst Says Mike McCarthy's Job May Not Be Safe