Dak Prescott is taking part in like among the finest QBs within the NFL

When you’ve been on soccer Twitter this 12 months, the warring factions of Dak Prescott fandom. It’s essentially the most divisive space of Twitter exterior of anime Twitter and Beyonce stans. Nonetheless, what Monday evening proved is that Dak Prescott is likely one of the finest QBs in your complete league, and when he performs like he did within the Cowboys’ Wild Card win in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas will probably be onerous to cease.

The Athletic’s Ben Baldwin runs an internet site that tracks Anticipated Factors Added (EPA) for each recreation, and this was Dak Prescott’s EPA, in comparison with Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady:

Whew.

Dak placed on a QB’ing masterclass on Monday evening, one which highlighted his finest abilities.

Dak Prescott is a cerebral quarterback, who sees the sport pretty much as good as any QB within the NFL. His means to govern defenders together with his eyes is among the many finest within the league. On this primary landing to Dalton Schultz, the Cowboys run Schultz on a Stick Nod route, with each receiving choices to Dak’s proper. The Bucs are operating Cowl 3, which implies Schultz might be open, however Dak has to maintain the center security away from the route idea.

On the high of his drop, Prescott appears to his left to get the protection to maneuver that approach, then flips again and throws a superbly positioned ball to Schultz for a TD.

Dak was cash in opposition to the blitz as effectively. The Bucs love bringing simulated pressures with blitzers coming from each which route. In accordance with Sports activities Data Options, Prescott was pressured 12 instances on Monday. On these 12 drop-backs, Prescott went 7-10 and threw two TDs.

On a kind of performs the place he was blitzed, Dak sees the strain earlier than the snap, adjusts on the line of scrimmage, and will get WR Michael Gallup to regulate his route to search out the open window and exchange the strain. Then the throw is stellar as effectively.

One of many largest criticisms of Prescott getting into the season is utilizing his legs to increase performs. For a participant who was a cellular, QB run recreation sort of participant getting into the NFL, he didn’t actually use his legs a lot (whether or not that be because of harm or play-calling). Nonetheless, this 12 months Dak is wholesome, and increasing performs like this when issues aren’t excellent. It raises the ceiling of the offense when Dak can do that.

Prescott and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore are additionally in lockstep on the excellent time, with Moore calling the proper counter for all the things Tampa threw at them. Tampa likes to play in base protection so much: 3-4 protection, each inside linebackers on the sphere. So what Dallas did is play with heavier personnel (2 and three tight finish units) after which throw the ball, forcing the Bucs LBs to play in protection on tight ends. This throw by Prescott was the definition of a dime, placing it solely the place Schultz can get it.

Dak and the Cowboys journey to San Francisco to tackle the 49ers, a workforce that many (together with myself) imagine will probably be representing the NFC within the Tremendous Bowl.

For the Cowboys to tug off the upset, Dak has to proceed beating defenses together with his thoughts and cerebral QB play.