There is no team in the NFL that sets their quarterback up to fail more than the Dallas Cowboys do with Dak Prescott. With just one difference-maker at wide receiver and without an impactful running back, Prescott's margin for error is smaller this season than it has ever been.
That has made it easy to defend Prescott. However, Prescott made it hard - almost impossible - to defend him with his performance Sunday night against the Steelers.
While Prescott authored a statement drive in the third quarter to regain the lead, it was his three turnovers, including an interception and a fumble in the red zone, as to why the Cowboys even had a deficit to overcome.
They could have been up by as many as two touchdowns in the first half had Prescott taken better care of the football. Prescott was essentially making up for his own mistakes, but the Cowboys gave him a record-setting contract before the season to deliver with the game on the line and he did just that.
With Dallas' season potentially hanging in the balance, Prescott connected with Jalen Tolbert on 4th-and-goal in the final minute of regulation for the game-winning touchdown
Cowboys' Dak Prescott throws game-winning TD in final seconds vs. Steelers
The Prescott haters were out in full force throughout the game. Rightfully so. Each of his three turnovers were worse than the last. His interception in the third quarter came on a needless deep shot while the Cowboys were clinging to a three-point lead.
However, Prescott was paid to make that drive and he did. Just as folks were ready to put the loss on Dak's shoulders, they should be just as quick to credit him for the game-winning drive.
While Prescott marched the offense down the field and hit Tolbert for the game-winning score, he saved the Cowboys' bacon a few plays earlier.
On 2nd-and-goal from the one-yard line, Rico Dowdle attempted to hurdle into the end zone but he got speared and fumbled. It was Prescott who was the first to react and he recovered the fumble to keep the game alive - a split second before the nearest Steeler could jump on it.
Prescott gave Cowboys fans the full Tony Romo experience in this one. He wasn't great, but he didn't blink and had ice in his veins when it mattered most. Like it or not, that was a $60 million drive. He was almost the reason Dallas lost tonight, but he is also holding this team together with strings and duct tape.
