MMQB - You Can’t Play Like a Rookie in the Playoffs

[windward]

What?

Sounds like wishful thinking.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

Sounds like wishful thinking.

Reads like gibberish.

 

[Idgit]

What's sort of happened in the process of hyping this game, is Dak has necessarily been disrespected a little bit. With DAL's big OL and big running game and statistically better defense going against the (legitimately great) Aaron Rodgers, something's got to give. If you acknowledge Dak might be able to go toe to toe with Aaron under the circumstances, the storyline kind of doesn't stick together. So there you have it.

 

[DallasEast]

If he does play like a "rookie" for the first two quarters do the Cowboys go down with the sinking ship or move to Romo?

My guess is a big ole nope (for what's bold). I think Dallas has a very good chance of winning this game. The offense has a very capable quarterback and running back, excellent offensive line (primarily from Martin and to his left), good receivers, a constantly improving defensive line, capable linebackers, good secondary, good punter, usually great kicker, and above average coaching. There is Lucky Whitehead to consider as a kick returner but I'll just pray he doesn't disappoint during the playoffs. Overall, the team has played really well all season long, tops in the league, netting 13 wins that could have easily been 15 wins minimum.

Now, that team, every starter and coach, will prove that the regular season wasn't a fluke. The only in-game situation I see Romo replacing Prescott for a non-injury reason would be if it was 10 or 11 minutes left in the game and the team was down by three touchdowns. That would still be adequate time for Prescott to help lead a comeback but it's the only situation where I could foresee the coaches seeking a spark elsewhere.

Truthfully, I don't foresee it happening in that situation either. In my opinion, the die is cast. Prescott is the franchise quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. And like countless many starting quarterbacks who have preceded him in this sport, I can easily see the coaches allowing the game to proceed without ever second-guessing themselves though the firing of the final gun. That may not be a conclusion some fans may be prepared to see play out but it's a very real possibility--regardless how badly the coaches' intelligence might be judged afterwards.

 

[plasticman]

Currently, Dak Prescott has the highest career quarterback rating in the history of the NFL, minimum attempts 300.

Not as a rookie, as an NFL quarterback. For every NFL quarterback's career, active or inactive, for any quarterback that threw 300 or more passes in their career, Dak Prescott is ranked #! in history.

Dak is currently ranked #1 in NFL history in pass completion percentage.

Dak is ranked #1 in the history of the NFL in INT percentage, being the lowest.

Dak is ranked #1 in the history of the NFL is average yards per attempt.

This is after one season, his rookie season.

You can't play QB like a rookie in the playoffs.....unless that rookie is Dak Prescott. But then, no other NFL quarterback, rookie or veteran, has been able to accomplish that.

Only one rookie RB in history carried the ball 300 or more times and averaged over 5 yards a carry and that is Ezekiel Elliot.

Elliot had the 3rd most yards for a rookie in NFL history and the other two had at least 50 more carries.

You can't play RB like a rookie in the playoffs....unless that rookie is Ezekiel Elliot. But then, no other NFL rookie RB has been able to accomplish that

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think it's as simple as this. If a team can stop our run game, they can beat us. If it comes down to a situation where we are forced to make Dak win a game against a quality Playoff team with an experienced QB, that does not favor us.

Bottom line, it's our strengths against every other team we face. Our Defense is much improved but I don't see them beating a quality QB. We just don't have the ability to create enough quick pressure to neutralize a quick passing attack. Dak has turned in one of the most impressive Rookie seasons I've ever seen at any position, for as long as I have been watching NFL Football but he's not an experienced QB. Regardless of if we choose to acknowledge this or not, the playoffs are different. It's not the same game and I just think it's a lot to put on Dak.

If our OL can impose the run game on any team we face, we have an excellent chance. If any team can stop our run game and make it about Dak, they have a very good chance.

That's just how I see it.

 

[CCBoy]

My guess is a big ole nope (for what's bold). I think Dallas has a very good chance of winning this game. The offense has a very capable quarterback and running back, excellent offensive line (primarily from Martin and to his left), good receivers, a constantly improving defensive line, capable linebackers, good secondary, good punter, usually great kicker, and above average coaching. There is Lucky Whitehead to consider as a kick returner but I'll just pray he doesn't disappoint during the playoffs. Overall, the team has played really well all season long, tops in the league, netting 13 wins that could have easily been 15 wins minimum.

Now, that team, every starter and coach, will prove that the regular season wasn't a fluke. The only in-game situation I see Romo replacing Prescott for a non-injury reason would be if it was 10 or 11 minutes left in the game and the team was down by three touchdowns. That would still be adequate time for Prescott to help lead a comeback but it's the only situation where I could foresee the coaches seeking a spark elsewhere.

Truthfully, I don't foresee it happening in that situation either. In my opinion, the die is cast. Prescott is the franchise quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. And like countless many starting quarterbacks who have preceded him in this sport, I can easily see the coaches allowing the game to proceed without ever second-guessing themselves though the firing of the final gun. That may not be a conclusion some fans may be prepared to see play out but it's a very real possibility--regardless how badly the coaches' intelligence might be judged afterwards.

If Free can hold on for an entire game against Pepper, then your statement is set in stone.

 

[CCBoy]

I think it's as simple as this. If a team can stop our run game, they can beat us. If it comes down to a situation where we are forced to make Dak win a game against a quality Playoff team with an experienced QB, that does not favor us.

Bottom line, it's our strengths against every other team we face. Our Defense is much improved but I don't see them beating a quality QB. We just don't have the ability to create enough quick pressure to neutralize a quick passing attack. Dak has turned in one of the most impressive Rookie seasons I've ever seen at any position, for as long as I have been watching NFL Football but he's not an experienced QB. Regardless of if we choose to acknowledge this or not, the playoffs are different. It's not the same game and I just think it's a lot to put on Dak.

If our OL can impose the run game on any team we face, we have an excellent chance. If any team can stop our run game and make it about Dak, they have a very good chance.

That's just how I see it.

I'll just pour our Jack Daniels on ice now, for us to watch the game with...

 

[willia451]

I think it's as simple as this. If a team can stop our run game, they can beat us. If it comes down to a situation where we are forced to make Dak win a game against a quality Playoff team with an experienced QB, that does not favor us.

Bottom line, it's our strengths against every other team we face. Our Defense is much improved but I don't see them beating a quality QB. We just don't have the ability to create enough quick pressure to neutralize a quick passing attack. Dak has turned in one of the most impressive Rookie seasons I've ever seen at any position, for as long as I have been watching NFL Football but he's not an experienced QB. Regardless of if we choose to acknowledge this or not, the playoffs are different. It's not the same game and I just think it's a lot to put on Dak.

If our OL can impose the run game on any team we face, we have an excellent chance. If any team can stop our run game and make it about Dak, they have a very good chance.

That's just how I see it.

We haven't seen Dak in the playoffs yet. So its impossible to say what he'll do or won't do.

But I will say this. The one game where Dak struggled that was not against a divisional rival or in inclement weather was the Vikings.

And they were # 3 in the NFL against the pass.

GB is # 31 against the pass.

And the Falcons (if its them we play next) are # 28.

So even if one or both of those teams sell out to stop the run, Dak should be able to carve them up nicely.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

We haven't seen Dak in the playoffs yet. So its impossible to say what he'll do or won't do.

But I will say this. The one game where Dak struggled that was not against a divisional rival or in inclement weather was the Vikings.

And they were # 3 in the NFL against the pass.

GB is # 31 against the pass.

And the Falcons (if its them we play next) are # 28.

So even if one or both of those teams sell out to stop the run, Dak should be able to carve them up nicely.

1, I never said GB, I said any team we face.

2, I think it's a mistake to put too much into regular season stats. I don't dispute that teams do have tendencies but, in a win or go home situation, I think the Football is different.

Could Dak do it, yeah, he could but it's never been done before and I think there is a reason for that. If he does it this year, I think it's because the OL is successful in forcing the Run.

JMO

 

[Kevinicus]

We haven't seen Dak in the playoffs yet. So its impossible to say what he'll do or won't do.

But I will say this. The one game where Dak struggled that was not against a divisional rival or in inclement weather was the Vikings.

And they were # 3 in the NFL against the pass.

GB is # 31 against the pass.

And the Falcons (if its them we play next) are # 28.

So even if one or both of those teams sell out to stop the run, Dak should be able to carve them up nicely.

He had some struggles with GB as well (and parts of other games too).

 

[JJHLH1]

I expect Dak to play well. He said he's ready, and he meant it.

 

[willia451]

1, I never said GB, I said any team we face.

2, I think it's a mistake to put too much into regular season stats. I don't dispute that teams do have tendencies but, in a win or go home situation, I think the Football is different.

Could Dak do it, yeah, he could but it's never been done before and I think there is a reason for that. If he does it this year, I think it's because the OL is successful in forcing the Run.

JMO

Almost makes me want one of these teams coming up to have some success at stopping the Cowboys running game.

So we could find out if Dak really could put it on his shoulders and win it.

Almost. But I'd rather see Zeke go for 150 yrds a game. And just never know for sure.

Don't want to know that bad.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

I think he has a fixed ceiling, like RGIII. Multiple defensive formations - he can't handle them.

Wishful thinking.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Almost makes me want one of these teams coming up to have some success at stopping the Cowboys running game.

So we could find out if Dak really could put it on his shoulders and win it.

Almost. But I'd rather see Zeke go for 150 yrds a game. And just never know for sure.

Don't want to know that bad.

That day will come and if it comes in a year or two, then I feel like Dak will be able to handle it. Now, today, I don't know. I guess we will see what happens but I'm with you. I hope we see Zeke beating the brakes off of all these defenses with the run game.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

but it's never been done before

Sample size of one though.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Sample size of one though.

That's true but then again, we've been playing for Super Bowls for what, 52 years now, and that's not even counting prior to the Modern Era. It is a small sample size but that also kinda says something I think.

I could not be more pleased with what this team has done this year. Going into this year, I felt like we were headed for another year like last year. I can't even express how much enjoyment I've gotten out of this season. I'm happy to just have good football to watch.