Prescott’s comments raised plenty of eyebrows for one obvious reason: The Eagles dominated the Cowboys in 2024.
DALLAS — Dak Prescott is the unquestioned leader of the Dallas Cowboys who always says the right thing in front of cameras.
Even if when he’s a bit too optimistic.
Prescott, at a charity event Wednesday night, said the Cowboys are “very close” to the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. To be fair, the NFL is a league of parity, and the Washington Commanders, who lost to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, are Example A of a one-season turnaround.
But Prescott’s comments raised plenty of eyebrows for one obvious reason: In two games against the Eagles this season, Philadelphia beat Dallas by a combined score of 75-13.
Not great.
Here’s what Prescott said Wednesday night:
“I feel like we compete with the Eagles and beat them, for the most part when we’ve played them,” Prescott said. “I don’t want to say check the record when the other guy is holding a trophy, so credit to them … Very close. Especially when you watch the NFC [Championship] game. Those two teams that we battle with each and every year and a couple of times. I feel confident about we’ve gotten the better part, each and every time .. it’s our turn and it’s on us.”
To Prescott’s point, the Cowboys were 5-3 against the Eagles since 2020 before the pair of losses this season. Before 2024, the Cowboys hadn’t been swept by the Eagles since 2011. The Cowboys have had a more decisive edge over the Commanders, going 6-2 against Washington since 2021.
Also to be fair, both blowout losses to the Eagles were without Prescott at the helm. His last game of the season was the week before the Cowboys’ first matchup against Philly. Prescott missed the final nine games of the season with a hip injury.
But even with a healthy Prescott, the current state of both teams gives a clear advantage to the Eagles, who are better at the skill positions (Saquon Barkley being the biggest edge) and vastly more deep on the interior.
Another counterpoint: The Cowboys were 3-5 with Prescott playing this year, while the Eagles just steamrolled through the NFL and the back-to-back champions in Kansas City.
The Cowboys will try to get level with the Eagles in 2025 under a new coach, Brian Schottenheimer, who replaces Mike McCarthy. Schottenheimer reportedly had the backing of Prescott, as his quarterbacks coach. Prescott echoed those sentiments Wednesday night, and said Schottenheimer will focus on getting the Cowboys rushing game ramped up. In 2024, Dallas had six rushing touchdowns on the whole season. The Eagles, by contrast, had seven rushing touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game alone.
“Super excited for him,” Prescott said. “I think the best way to exemplify that is [he’s] the son of a legendary football coach. He’s not going to take anything about this game lightly. He enjoys the work ethic, kind of old fashioned. Looking forward to the grind and some things we’re going to do.”