Cowboy Trivia: Streaks Without an Interception

[DFWJC]

As everyone knows, our rookie QB is on a roll to start his career.
No picks is 155 attempts is pretty remarkable.

I realize that scoring more points and throwing more TDs sometimes requires risking throwing an interception on occasion.

Kind of like a racer in NASCAR who's driving a faster car than most, so he races with less risk--driving a semi-fast speed so as to never get in a wreck...knowing his better car will let him place high regardless. He stays ahead of the average and even sometimes better than average cars, but would have a tough time winning the race unless all cars in front of him wrecked.

But, regarding the pick-less streaks, there is no denying that an interception-less streak of any kind is very impressive. It's just not easy to do.

I may fall in the camp that says there is a balance between increased TDs and picks, but you have to give credit where it is due.

If Dak keeps going, the kid will break the Cowboys record for games without an interception.

Here are the top four Cowboy streaks, as far as I know:

Troy Aikman___216 in 1999 (5 TDs, 0 int)
Troy Aikman___184 in 1995 (8 TDs, 0 int)
Tony Romo___174 in 2013 (13 TDs, 0 int)
Dak Prescott___155 in 2016 (4 TDs, 0 int)

Not bad for a rookie!!

 

[aikemirv]

Impressive run by Romo there in 13, especially with that many TD's

Love what Dak is doing!

 

[percyhoward]

I realize that scoring more points and throwing more TDs sometimes requires risking throwing an interception on occasion.

We're actually scoring more points on each drive even without our QB throwing more TD passes. Looking at these four longest INT-less streaks, the longest one (Aikman 1999) was not a particularly good stretch of games either for him or his offense. The most productive of the four was the offense with Aikman in 1995, and the best QB performance of the four was Romo in 2013.

Troy Aikman___216 in 1999 (5 TDs, 0 int)
133 of 216 61.6% 1344 yd 6.2 ypa 5 td 0 int 87.0
84 drives 139 points 1.65 ppd

Troy Aikman___184 in 1995 (8 TDs, 0 int)
122 of 184 66.3% 1439 yd 7.8 ypa 8 td 0 int 104.4
58 drives 176 points 3.03 ppd

Tony Romo___174 in 2013 (13 TDs, 0 int)
129 of 177 72.9% 1487 yd 8.4 ypa 13 td 0 int 122.3
51 drives 119 points 2.33 ppd

Dak Prescott___155 in 2016 (4 TDs, 0 int)
107 of 155 69.0% 1239 yd 8.0 ypa 4 td 0 int 101.5
46 drives 129 points 2.80 ppd

It's hard to believe that the first five games of a QB's career actually compare favorably with these, but that's where we sit today.

 

[DFWJC]

We're actually scoring more points on each drive even without our QB throwing more TD passes. Looking at these four longest INT-less streaks, the longest one (Aikman 1999) was not a particularly good stretch of games either for him or his offense. The most productive of the four was the offense with Aikman in 1995, and the best QB performance of the four was Romo in 2013.

Troy Aikman___216 in 1999 (5 TDs, 0 int)
133 of 216 61.6% 1344 yd 6.2 ypa 5 td 0 int 87.0
84 drives 139 points 1.65 ppd

Troy Aikman___184 in 1995 (8 TDs, 0 int)
122 of 184 66.3% 1439 yd 7.8 ypa 8 td 0 int 104.4
58 drives 176 points 3.03 ppd

Tony Romo___174 in 2013 (13 TDs, 0 int)
129 of 177 72.9% 1487 yd 8.4 ypa 13 td 0 int 122.3
51 drives 119 points 2.33 ppd

Dak Prescott___155 in 2016 (4 TDs, 0 int)
107 of 155 69.0% 1239 yd 8.0 ypa 4 td 0 int 101.5
46 drives 129 points 2.80 ppd

It's hard to believe that the first five games of a QB's career actually compare favorably with these, but that's where we sit today.

I agree

And a thoroughly dominant run game is huge...and should be (and is being) used heavily.

 

[Setackin]

I thought the NFL record was something like 164 set by Brady? What am I missing, how do the Cowboys have 4 team records that break that?

 

[starfrombirth]

I thought the NFL record was something like 164 set by Brady? What am I missing, how do the Cowboys have 4 team records that break that?

That is to start a career

 

[Setackin]

That is to start a career

Gotcha

 

[Temo]

Might as well put all these here:

• Most consecutive passes attempted, none intercepted, rookie season: 169, Sam Bradford 2010
• Most consecutive passes attempted, none intercepted to start a career: 162, Tom Brady 2000–2001
• Most consecutive passes attempted, none intercepted to start a season: 286, Bernie Kosar 1991

• Most consecutive passes attempted, none intercepted: 358, Tom Brady 2010–2011

Dak could pass Bradford and Brady vs. the Packers. It's probably too early to start watching for Brady's 2nd record and Kosar's (which isn't all that notable).

 

[percyhoward]

I agree

And a thoroughly dominant run game is huge...and should be (and is being) used heavily.

A dominant running game and a QB who is good on 3rd down complement each other perfectly. Especially when the offense can finish those drives he helped to extend. It remains to be seen if Prescott can maintain this level of play for the whole season -- or even if he'll have a chance to do so -- but what an outstanding five games.

Conversions on 3rd down pass
2014 48.0% (1st)
2016 50.0% (1st)

Conversions on 3rd and 6+ pass
2014 38.8% (4th)
2016 41.4% (3rd)

Drives ending in TD
2014 31% (2nd)
2016 33% (3rd)

 

[big dog cowboy]

As everyone knows, our rookie QB is on a roll to start his career.
No picks is 155 attempts is pretty remarkable.

Anyone really see a healthy Romo going this far into the season without throwing a pic?

Not me and I'm a big Romo fan.

 

[DFWJC]

Anyone really see a healthy Romo going this far into the season without throwing a pic?

Not me and I'm a big Romo fan.

No, I'd say definitely not.
I'd say he would have maybe 11-12 TDs, 3 ints

But all of these defenses they played so far are ranked between 15 and 30, so who knows for sure.

Still, I just feel he would have a pick in the opening game for sure, but we also would have won the game.
I think they'd be 5-0 or 4-1.
Just a guess.

I mean really, we have to be thrilled with 4-1 right now. Zeke, Dak, the line, and the defense get kudos.