The Dallas Cowboys need their superstars to take over, starting with the highest-paid player in the NFL, Dak Prescott.
Prescott, the heart and soul of the team, must step up, especially with the injuries the team has endured.
The Cowboys will be without two of their most critical defensive players, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, and their offense will miss its number two wide receiver, Brandin Cooks.
Both sides of the ball have struggled in recent games, and the injuries will only amplify the deficiencies.
One way to overcome these issues is for Dak Prescott to lead the team to victory.
Prescott is more than capable of taking over a game, and to meet the team’s goals of playoff wins and a Super Bowl appearance, he will need to be Superman-esque.
As the runner-up in MVP voting last season, Prescott posted impressive numbers, including multiple games with significant touchdown passes and big yardage.
He averaged 269.5 yards and 2.1 touchdowns per game with a 7.7-yard average, numbers not far off from this year.
Through four games, Prescott has averaged 268 yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 7.2 yards per attempt. Though his yards per game are slightly down, that’s largely due to having one reliable receiver and an injured Jake Ferguson at tight end.
Prescott can and will carry the offense.
However, one major issue that could affect Dak Prescott and the passing game is the Cowboys’ lackluster run game.
Currently ranked 32nd in the league with 301 rushing yards, 31st in attempts, and 30th in rushing average at 3.5 yards, this weak run game is hampering the offense.
Without a solid running threat, defenses can focus on the passing game, stalling the offense.
Last season, a competent run game helped open up the offense, ranking 14th in rushing yards with 1,920. Tony Pollard was a key contributor, but now the Cowboys find themselves relying on backups as starters.
If head coach Mike McCarthy can figure out how to spark the running game, it will take pressure off Prescott and allow him to spread the ball to his receivers and tight ends.
Perhaps it’s time to consider bringing in a player like Dalvin Cook to reinvigorate the ground attack.
Coaching is another significant issue for the Cowboys. When Mike McCarthy took over, he was expected to bring an offensive upgrade, but the play-calling has often been bland.
One simple way to create more confusion for opposing defenses would be to incorporate more pre-snap motion.
McCarthy has downplayed its importance, particularly in two-minute situations, but using pre-snap motion earlier in games would keep defenses off balance and give Prescott a clearer read of their shifts.
Despite criticism, Prescott has proven he can read defenses well.
McCarthy’s reluctance to embrace more motion and offensive creativity is a flaw, and he bears responsibility for the team’s struggles. Meanwhile, Jerry Jones shares blame for the lack of talent at the running back position.
The Dak Prescott show is about to begin, and he will need to carry the offense through this challenging stretch.
Though the front office and coaching staff have put him in a tough spot, if anyone can lead the Cowboys to victory, it’s Rayne Dakota Prescott.
