National Post (National Edition)
Prescott lauded for sensational playoff debut
You’ll forgive the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons if they concentrate on winning the Super Bowl this post-season.
Next post-season? Every team in the NFC already knows the team it wants to avoid: the Dallas Cowboys.
Because if quarterback Dak Prescott can play as poised, as courageously, as confidently and as promisingly as he did here on Sunday as a rookie in his first playoff game — erasing 21-3 and 28-13 deficits before losing in heartbreaking fashion, 34-31, to the Packers in an NFC divisional playoff game — then watch out next year.
There was so much to talk about after Sunday’s instant classic.
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ late-game, long-pass heroism …
The clutch long field goals made by both teams’ kickers in the last two minutes …
And, what you didn’t see on TV, some of the nastiest January weather — thunderstorms, tornadoes and mass flooding — they’ve had in these parts in some time, which sent hundreds of fans scurrying back inside AT&T Stadium for 2-3 hours after the final whistle, seeking protective shelter.
As much as all that, people here Monday morning were still buzzing about the surprising, memorable performance of Prescott, who established himself as a top-rung NFL passer able to dazzle whether his Cowboys are far behind or far ahead, whether they can run it well or not.
Prescott finished 24-of-38 for 302 yards, three touchdowns, one unfortunate interception on a brilliant read-and-react by Packers safety Micah Hyde, and a better passer rating (103.2) than Rodgers (96.7).
Other than blocking Crosby’s kicks, there wasn’t much more Prescott could have done to help Dallas win.
“He was everything that you could dream about if you had a make-believe situation on a rookie quarterback,” Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones said of the 23-year-old. “He played in a veteran way. He made those kinds of decisions. He kept steady. He never, as long as he had the opportunity, equivocated as far as his decisions and playing winning football.” But it wasn’t just Prescott. The NFL’s likeliest rookie of the year, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, also performed as an elite in his first playoff game, running 22 times for 125 yards.
“We have the foundation here,” Jones said.
His dynamic backfield duo is indeed the real deal — regular season, post-season or otherwise.
“Dak and Zeke had phenomenal seasons,” Rodgers said. “I think this is just the beginning for the Cowboys. There’s gonna be more battles like this over the years. They should be really proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
And on Prescott in particular?
“The guy is outstanding,” Rodgers said. “The way he’s taken care of the football, and his play on the field is spectacular. I think what’s more impressive is how he’s handled himself off the field. He’s a really mature rookie, and he has so much class in tough situations. The Cowboys have a bright future with Dak Prescott.”
Dallas head coach Jason Garrett was no less impressed with his recordbreaking rookie passer.
“He was fantastic,” Garrett said. “I thought he handled the situation well. When you’re down 21-3, it’s really easy to start getting out of yourself and start doing things that are uncharacteristic.
“I thought Dak did a real good job of executing. The guys around him made plays, too … Not the ideal start, but again, the guys battled back and demonstrated who they are.”
A team on the rise, particularly.