On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys dealt Bill Belichick the worst defeat of his career based on the point-margin.
Coming off a less-than-ideal performance against the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys dominated the New England Patriots on both sides of the ball.
After Chad Ryland made a field goal for the Patriots to end their first drive, their offense never even saw the red zone again. The Cowboys routed the Patriots 38 – 3.
Considering all of this, why did we see a very annoyed and irritated Dak Prescott at the podium during his press conference Sunday evening?
The last question Dak was asked before he departed from the media came from “Todd” (presumably Todd Archer of ESPN). Dak was asked, “What was the feeling leaving that locker room last January against [the San Francisco 49ers]?”
Dak stared in Todd's direction with a surly expression for a few seconds.
Then he replied, “It's obvious. We're so far past that, to be honest with you, but that's obvious. If you just wanna piss me off going into this weekend, I appreciate that.”
The exchange ended in laughter, so one can assume that all is now well.
However, one might also wonder why Dak was so put-off by the question in the first place?
Dak Prescott is sick of y'all bringing up old shit. pic.twitter.com/dQrE8ZFqJg
— Bitches Love Sports Podcast (@BtchesLuvSports) October 2, 2023
HE'S ADDRESSED THIS
Just before being asked about his emotional state after last year's playoff loss, Dak was asked about preparation for and the significance of the Cowboys' upcoming away game against San Francisco.
His response addressed not only the fact that he was ready to “turn the page” and focus on the divisional foe, but also the idea that the road to a championship would likely go through the 49ers again.
But all of this was understood long before Sunday's postgame press conference.
One need only revisit Dak's words immediately following the divisional round playoff loss to understand how he felt when it happened.
“I'm disappointed in the way that I've played. Those guys in that locker room gave it all. Both sides of the ball. And put me in a position to go win the game. And I wasn't able to do that,” Dak said, “And, yeah, I mean, I put it on my shoulders. When you play this position, when you play for this organization, you've got to accept that. That's the reality of it. And as I said, it will make me better.
“It sucks, as I said, that I don't get another shot at it for a long time, but I know that when I wake up tomorrow, it will be the first thing on my mind, and it will as I carry it through in my training throughout this offseason, as we get to the start of next season.”
A list of the feelings and emotions detected in that statement might contain words like regret, shame, frustration, and guilt. I don't know anyone who voluntarily revisits any event that brings up those feelings.
As a follow-up, Todd asked about the Cowboys as a team being motivated by that loss. Prescott stopped himself from swearing before replying with, “Every day. Every day. Every day, Todd, every day.”
Throughout the off-season, Dak has been more vocal than usual about his intent to get to a Super Bowl and win it.
As well, we've heard Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb make mention of a sixth championship for Dallas.
Even Mike McCarthy's reference to a “21-game season” can be interpreted as alignment with the goal of getting to the Super Bowl.
A DARK CLOUD
By almost every measure, Dak Prescott is a very good quarterback. However, he deals with a lot of scrutiny and criticism from analysts, media members, football fans, and even Dallas Cowboys fans.
The blemishes on Dak's athletic reputation seem to take on a new form every season. Last season, the conversation surrounding his interception count was unceasing, and his two interceptions during that playoff game against the 49ers were blamed for that loss.
The Niners turned each interception into a field goal. On paper, this may not seem significant. The Cowboys lost by seven, and those two particular field goals only account for six points.
But in reality, games are called differently based on things like momentum and who has the lead. So it wasn't just six points that the Cowboys gave away with those interceptions.
They gave away the offense's ability to play with more freedom.
They gave away the pressure that was on the 49ers to produce offensively, and they gave away the Cowboys defense's ability to play to its greatest strengths.
THE NARRATIVE
Dak Prescott has been unable to escape the narrative that the Cowboys will never win another championship due to his mistakes.
Every positive event that points towards success for the Cowboys is countered with questions about whether or not he can make the most of the kind of team the Cowboys are growing into this season.
Even his supporters are constantly faced with questions that can only be answered with hope and belief that he'll perform better in the future.
One of the most viewed social media posts ever made by the Dallas Cowboys was interpreted as a derogatory shot at Dak Prescott.
Then, to proverbially throw salt in that wound, the Los Angeles Chargers made light of it via their 2023 schedule announcement.
Even though the question asked referred to feelings after leaving the locker room the day of that loss, it's reasonable to believe that there are a lot more connected events that come to mind when revisiting that time period.
LOOKING AHEAD
Although Dak said he would carry the disappointment of last year's playoff loss into this season as motivation, a lot of other things were left behind.
The Dallas Cowboys parted ways with several coaches and staff members after the conclusion of last season.
One of the most notable separations was with Kellen Moore, the Cowboys' former offensive coordinator who immediately found a new role with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Moore's departure meant that the Cowboys had room for a new OC as well as a new approach to offensive scheme, strategy, execution, and identity. Dak and his teammates on offense have expressed excitement about all of those things.
Multiple Cowboys players have commented on the positive differences they've noticed along with these changes as well.
Now, most people are familiar with the feeling of trying to change a bad habit or a poorly perceived trait only to have those around you treat you like you're still the old you or bring up memories from when you were that person.
It's frustrating. It's disappointing. It doesn't feel very good. And to have it happen as you're celebrating a victory or a milestone – well, some might find that outright upsetting.
TIME CAN ONLY MOVE SO FAST
No matter how many changes are made or how much disappointment is expressed and felt, true redemption can only happen as the NFL season allows.
This is especially true considering the fact that many people won't believe the Cowboys have truly levelled up as a team until they face the San Francisco 49ers, specifically.
Following his last meeting with the 49ers, Dak Prescott preemptively addressed the feeling of having to wait for vindication.
“It sucks that it's 365 days away to get back to this position, but we've got to take it day by day, step by step, and that's what I'll do,” he said.
“I know that's who I am. I'll respond the right way. As I said, when we get this team aligned, the guys that we get back, coaches, we'll do what's necessary to be right back here and win the next time.”
So, anyone who wants to know how Dak Prescott felt after last season's playoff loss can point to a number of sources for that answer.
And if you want to know how he feels now, the phrase “championship or bust” is about as explanatory as anything could be.
But if you want to know how he'll respond, for that, you'll have to find out one week at a time.
Even after the his next opportunity to face the 49ers, the Cowboys earning their way back to the divisional round of the playoffs will be an entirely different leg of this journey.
