Making the walk from the Dallas Cowboys’ sideline to the team’s AT&T Stadium locker room Sunday evening, Dak Prescott glanced at an area where media was gathered and said: “Jump off if you want. Please. Please. Please.”
The franchise quarterback was clearly not happy with Dallas suffering its second consecutive loss. He appeared to be telling those who don’t believe in the Cowboys to jump off the bandwagon.
It brought back some memories of training camp, when Prescott was asked about what he says to Cowboys fans who are still frustrated about the team’s stunning wild-card playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.
“Be fans or don’t be fans,” he responded. “If you’re a fan, you’re going to turn the page just as we do, you’re gonna move forward, understanding that you have better ahead of you. … Sorry, obviously, but it hurt us more than it did them. Obviously it’s on us to get back and to do better, but, yeah, move on.”
Prescott usually talks to reporters the week before a game. He did not this week as the team had a short turnaround with Thursday night’s game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys desperately need a win. A third consecutive loss could send the season spiraling out of control before it even reaches October.
While the defense is the bigger issue, Dallas needs Prescott to be better than he has been the first three weeks.
He enters Week 4 leading the NFL in passing yards at 851, but 19 starting quarterbacks have a higher passer rating than Prescott’s 85.8. He posted a career-high 105.9 last season. His 61 percent completion percentage is well below the 70 percent he posted in 2023.
| OPP | RESULT | COMP-ATT | PCT | YDS | TD-INT | RTG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 at Browns |
W
|
19-32
|
59.4
|
179
|
1-0
|
85.3
|
 Saints |
L
|
27-39
|
69.2
|
293
|
1-2
|
78.3
|
 Ravens |
L
|
28-51
|
54.9
|
379
|
2-0
|
91.9
|
|
1-2
|
74-122
|
60.7
|
851
|
4-2
|
85.8
|
More concerning is the offense’s slow starts the last two weeks. The Baltimore Ravens led 21-6 at halftime on Sunday. The New Orleans Saints raced out to a 21-3 lead and were up 35-16 at halftime the previous week. And it would be much worse if Dallas didn’t have arguably the best kicker in the league, Brandon Aubrey, consistently making field goals from 50-plus yards.
Considering how unimpressive the running game has been, the most likely way the early scoring gets fixed is with Prescott having a big night. He’s 12-2 in his career against the Giants and he threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for a score when they last played in Week 10 last season. It’s easier said than done, but that’s the type of production needed to get things back on track.
It will be difficult to do that without No. 1 offensive weapon CeeDee Lamb having his best game of the season. Like Prescott, Lamb recently got a massive contract extension that made him the NFL’s second-highest paid non-quarterback and he has yet to perform up to expectations. Ten NFL pass catchers have more yards. Nineteen have more touchdown receptions.
The Prescott-Lamb connection has not picked up where it left off last season. There’s been noticeable rust that probably has something to do with Lamb not attending organized team activities, minicamp or the first five weeks of training camp while seeking a new contract.
Lamb showed noticeable frustration and poor body language throughout the game Sunday. He left the stadium without talking to reporters, but spoke with media members Tuesday at The Star. He took responsibility for his actions.
“Obviously I’ve got to be truthful to myself,” Lamb said, “and I played a part in that loss, a big part, honestly. (My) body language, (my) attitude, approaching the situation, (didn’t) help the situation or the outcome of the game.
“Obviously it went the (wrong) direction. It wasn’t a good look for myself and the team. Very detrimental. I’ll make up for it.”
CeeDee Lamb was disappointed in how he handled himself during Sunday’s loss: “I know that’s not the player I am. I know that’s not the teammate I am. … It was a bad game on my end. I fully take accountability in that.
“I will be better in the future. And it’s gonna be fine.” pic.twitter.com/qFu3xUIw4k
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 24, 2024
Lamb has shown similar frustration during games in the past when he and the Cowboys have struggled. He has responded well. Following similar actions in a loss at San Francisco in Week 5 last year, Lamb went for over 100 yards in five of the next seven games, which included seven touchdowns, as the Cowboys went 6-1 during that stretch.
“I plan on doing it again,” he said.
At one point during Sunday’s game, Fox TV cameras caught what appeared to be a heated exchange between Prescott and Lamb on the Cowboys’ sideline.
“Our relationship, if anything, has gotten stronger,” Lamb said. “Don’t let what’s out there fool you. We’re brothers to the end. We know that we’re all we got. And I tip my hat off to him. I got the utmost respect for him. I look at him as a brother.”
There are plenty of issues throughout the roster, but the Prescott to Lamb connection has to be a stabilizing force. A loss Thursday would drop the Cowboys to 1-3, a record they haven’t had since 2020 when they finished 6-10. Before that, 2010 was the last time they started a season 1-3. They also finished 6-10 that season.
There are several reasons why Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wanted to get Prescott signed to another extension. He believes Prescott’s best is still ahead of him as he enters his ninth season. He also knows Prescott is the unquestioned leader of the team. The reason you agree to make your quarterback the highest-paid player in NFL history at an average annual value of $60 million is to be the difference in big moments.
That must happen Thursday night if the Cowboys are going to turn around an ugly start to their season.
(Photo of Dak Prescott: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)
