Prescott out to change narrative

Quarterback intends to reverse recent playoff woes, affirm franchise’s faith in him

FRISCO — Dak Prescott understands his legacy will largely be defined by his playoff performance.

The quarterback knows he’s come up short in three of his first four cracks.

He’s painfully aware of how poorly he played in the regular-season finale and the icon that stands in his way Monday night in Tampa Bay.

There are better head spaces to find yourself in than the one Prescott occupies ahead of the wildcard game against Tampa Bay and Tom Brady. A crisis of confidence?

Prescott vows that’s not the case. He’s adamant his struggles against Washington won’t linger against the Buccaneers. He’s resolute he won’t buckle under the weight of a 1-3 postseason record.

“I’ve been able to put it behind me,” Prescott said. “When something is uncharacteristic it’s about getting back and doing the things where you know who you are, and that’s the preparation, that’s making sure I’m doing everything I need to mentally to leave no doubt that I respond the right way. That’s really all I know how to do.

“That’s behind me, to be honest.”

Prescott suffered through one of the worst performances of his Cowboys career — 14-of-37 for 128 yards with one touchdown that was negated by an interception returned for a touchdown — in a 26-6 loss to Washington. Afterwards, he propped himself against his locker, one hand on each partition with his back to his

teammates and media, with his head hung.

The image was striking for a quarterback aware of how teammates often take their cues from him.

It was a momentary lapse. Players and coaches say they have seen no hangover from Prescott in the ensuing days.

“I expect Dak’s best,” running back Ezekiel Elliott said of Monday night’s game. “That’s just the type of player Dak is, that’s the type of work he puts in.

“I mean, I look forward to seeing him play his best football.”

Receiver Michael Gallup said Prescott remains the same guy. He’s the

first one to his locker and the last to leave every day. It’s how he’s wired.

“Everybody wants to go off last week,” Gallup said with a bemused look. “It’s like, ‘Bro, that ain’t got nothing to do with nothing.’

“We already knew we were going to the playoffs. Not saying we played bad because of that reason but just they had a great game. We didn’t play well. But he’s going to come out here and do what he always does. “Never lose faith in 4.” Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman set the quarterback bar in this organization. The two Hall of Fame players combined

for five Super Bowl titles. All who follow will be compared to their accomplishments.

Suffocating or inspirational? It depends on the individual.

“I want to win the championships and win the titles and everything that they did and all the games, put this team in that position,” Prescott said. “But I can’t say that’s at the forefront of my mind as I’m thinking about what those guys have done, what the great quarterbacks here have done before me. I can’t necessarily …

“It’s about focusing on the now and knowing what I can do, what I’m

capable of doing and the opportunity this team has in front of them.”

Seven years deep into his career, Prescott has a greater appreciation of these moments. He understands all too well these moments are fleeting if he and the team don’t take care of business.

Stay calm and within himself. Be fueled by past failures, but don’t dwell on them. That’s the approach the Cowboys quarterback will carry into Monday’s game.

“I’ve just got to go win the game, do everything I can and leave no doubt in my preparation to make sure I’m putting this team

in the best chance to do that,” Prescott said. “We’re all judged off of wins and wins in the playoffs. These matter. I know that.

“Not that it’s pressure, but you’ve got to love playing in these moments. You’ve got to love being in games like this. If you don’t, this league, this sport, this isn’t the place for you.

“So for me, it’s about embracing the moment. Staying within myself. It’s not time to do anything new, create anything new. Trust my teammates, trust how I prepared throughout and go out there and stay within the moment.”

Prescott has been given another chance to alter the current postseason narrative that dogs this franchise. Mike McCarthy isn’t concerned with how his quarterback played in the final tune up against Washington. He believes No. 4 is ready.

“There wasn’t a top secret meeting or two more hours of videotape and correction,” the Cowboys head coach said. “We feel like we do a very thorough and consistent job of that week in and week out. That’s been our approach.

“I think as a team we respond and definitely as a quarterback and the leader and the face, he’s definitely built that way. I haven’t even thought about it.

“I have zero about him.”

Rob Carr/Getty Images Dak Prescott’s performance in the regular-season finale left much to be desired, but he’s been able to “put it behind” him as the quarterback’s focus turns to getting over the playoff hump that’s dogged him in his career.