Week 16 overreactions: Prescott a one-year wonder

Dak Prescott was a oneyear wonder.

Prescott has followed up a sensational rookie season with a so-so sophomore year. He was shaky during Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension and struggled in a mustwin game against Seattle on Sunday.

That makes Prescott 0-2 in elimination games with the Cowboys. After going 13-3 last season, Dallas lost to Green Bay in the playoffs.

When Dallas needed Prescott most — in the six games Elliott was banished — he tossed five touchdown passes, seven interceptions and the team was 3-3.

But the second-year quarterback doesn’t deserve all the blame. The Cowboys have had injuries on the offensive line, poor coaching decisions and Dez Bryant’s sideline attitude is becoming a problem no matter how much people want to laud his passion.

Prescott threw 39 TDs and only eight picks in his first 24 games while leading the Cowboys to an 18-6 record. He didn’t suddenly forget how to play.

The Cowboys shouldn’t be in the market for a franchise quarterback in the offseason.

Here are more overreactions following Week 16:

OVERREACTION» The Browns will beat the Steelers because Pittsburgh has already locked up a first-round bye.

REALISTIC REACTION » The Steelers need a win to have a chance to secure the No. 1 seed so coach Mike Tomlin probably won’t rest his starters. If so, Landry Jones could still beat these Browns.

OVERREACTION » Todd Gurley is the NFL MVP.

REALISTIC REACTION» Gurley belongs in the conversation but don’t discount what Tom Brady and Carson Wentz did in the first three months and Russell Wilson deserves consideration for single-handedly keeping the Seahawks in the playoff race until the final week.

OVERREACTION » The real Blake Bortles showed up in Jacksonville’s loss to San Francisco.

REALISTIC REACTION » Bortles was excellent the previous three games so he’s capable of big-time performances.

OVERREACTION » The Patriots will regret trading Jimmy Garoppolo.

REALISTIC REACTION » Not until Tom Brady retires. If he retires.

OVERREACTION » Earl Thomas will join the Cowboys.

REALISTIC REACTION » He’s still under contract with Seattle for one more year.

OVERREACTION » Cam Newton purposely fumbled to freeze the defense on his 2-yard TD run that gave Carolina a win over Tampa.

REALISTIC REACTION » Sure he did. Wink. Wink.

MICHAEL AINSWORTH — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is sacked by the Seahawks’ Michael Bennett late in the second half on Dec. 24.