Prescott throws 5 TDs in Dallas’ win
PHILADELPHIA – Dak Prescott ran into Dallas’ locker room with a message for any NFC team he’ll play next week in the playoffs.
“The real (stuff ) starts,” he said. Prescott threw a career-high five touchdown passes against Philadelphia Eagles backups, Cedrick Wilson and Dalton Schultz each had two scoring catches and the Cowboys kept their slim hopes for a No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs alive with a 51-26 victory Saturday night.
The Cowboys still had seeding to play for against an Eagles team that rested Jalen Hurts and other key starters ahead of an NFC wild-card game next week.
The NFC East champion Cowboys (12-5) needed losses Sunday by reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay against last-place Carolina and also for the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals to lose to earn the No. 2 seed. There was also is a path to the No. 3 seed for Dallas.
Prescott stayed in the game until the fourth quarter, the lead increasing seemingly with each throw and so, perhaps, the risk of injury for a QB nearly 15 months removed from the gruesome compound fracture of his right ankle that ended his 2020 season.
Prescott did his best to get an offense that routinely produced at least 400 yards during a 6-1 start back on track headed into the playoffs following a two-year absence. He was 21 of 27 for 295 yards and no interceptions.
“It’s a hell of a year for a guy that was in a slump,” coach Mike McCarthy deadpanned.
He came out unscathed – and with the Cowboys’ record for touchdown passes in a season with 37. Tony Romo threw 36 in 2007. Prescott threw an 8yard touchdown pass to Corey Clement early in the fourth quarter to make it 3720 and set the mark and, mercifully for the Eagles, get him out of the game.
His teammates knew Prescott set the TD mark. Prescott needed a reminder of his record.
“Just coming off the field, they’re saying congrats and I thought they were saying congrats for five touchdowns,” Prescott said.