Prescott aims to rewrite his postseason narrative
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.
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.”