The Cowboys’ passing offense is off to its worst start of the Dak Prescott era. Poor protection, ineffective and poorly managed route concepts, and curious decision-making all contributed ranked 23rd in Dallas in EPA passing in 2024.

After throwing just nine interceptions in 2023, Prescott already has eight picks through the first seven games of the season. He’s on pace to set a career high in interceptions thrown and it’s not hard to see why. Nearly every facet of the game has worked against him and with the Cowboys often playing catch-up behind their historically terrible defense, Prescott is often caught forcing bad passes in ugly situations.

Not only does Prescott rank leading the league in success rate in 2024, but he also ranks atop throwing in tight windows. There is no need for Angela Lansbury to connect these dots.

A reference too old?

Columbo?

Matlock?

Mystery incorporated?

Inspector Poirot?

Going in the wrong direction…it’s clear that Prescott’s turnover problem is directly related to the tight windows he’s throwing into. Prescott didn’t suddenly forget how to calculate risk or how to throw; he simply faces the situation given to him.

With receivers struggling to separate and an internal clock that punishes patience, Prescott feels the pressure to make tighter window throws than he would otherwise like. There is no doubt that many of these passes are bad decisions, but given the Cowboys’ 30^th classified defensePrescott probably thinks it’s the only way the team can stay in the race.

This is a situation in which everyone is blamed. Coaching staff for poor play design. WR for not getting separation. The offensive line for not providing reliable pass protection. The running game to not keep defenses honest. The defense of being universally terrible. And, of course, for Prescott forcing dangerous passes.

Don’t let anyone simplify the problem by blaming just one or two entities in Dallas. It takes a team effort and considering all the factors working against the passing attack, the Cowboys get a very predictable result.

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