4 Takeaways: Cowboys shrink in big moments, waste defensive effort

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Cowboys have a good quarterback in Prescott, one good enough to win regular season games and get them into the playoffs. Prescott has always had to fight for the answer as to why he belongs in the conversation as one of the top-tier quarterbacks in the league.

In the wild-card win, Prescott appeared to turn the corner. In the loss to the 49ers, Prescott returned to the same mistake-prone quarterback who threw too many interceptions, and at the worst times.

There’s no other way to spin it, Prescott was a major factor in defeat. When the Cowboys needed their veteran QB to rise to the occasion, Prescott shrunk at every turn, throwing two interceptions, both with direct impact on the score.

Prescott’s first pick was another in a long line of communication issues with wide receiver Michael Gallup. The interception gave the 49ers possession deep in Dallas territory and accounted for three points early on.

The biggest mistake from Prescott came late in the second quarter, where many of his worst interceptions have come this season. On a 2nd-and-2, with under 1:30 left in the half and the game tied at 6-6, Prescott threw into a tight window towards wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The ball was knocked away and intercepted by linebacker Fred Warner, costing the Cowboys likely points. Instead, it led to three more points for the 49ers to take the lead at the end of the first half.

It was a horrendous decision by Prescott to make that throw. A veteran quarterback must know not to force throws when your offense is in position to score points and it was the costliest mistake Prescott made.

While Cowboys fans were waiting on a rookie quarterback to make a mistake, Prescott make too many rookie-type plays.

Dallas needed Prescott to step up in this game, instead he shrunk and was a major factor in the loss. Prescott wasn’t good enough to get the Cowboys over the hump, and it’s time to question if he ever will be.