Former QB: If Dak Prescott throws over 30 times, the Cowboys lose!

A former Dallas Cowboys quarterback believes if rookie Dak Prescott is forced to throw the ball 30 times or more, the Cowboys will lose on Sunday.

Without a doubt, Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback Dak Prescott faces a monumental task on Sunday afternoon when he faces off against the New York Football Giants for the first time. Not only is the 23-year old fourth round pick supposed to carry America’s Team to victory in his first regular season game as a pro, he’s also supposed to live up to the hype that’s been generated after three preseason performances.

It may be a pedestal even too high for Prescott, who has stepped up and defied expectations at every turn so far. Obviously, the young rookie will have lots of help on Sunday. All-Pro wide receiver Dez Bryant, future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten, first round rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott and the best offensive line in football; just to name a few.

Although Prescott will be under center, and was asked to carry his Mississippi State teams in college, one former Cowboys quarterback believes the rookie would be better served not throwing the ball very much against the Giants on Sunday. In fact, he believes Prescott must make less than 30 total passes in the matchup in order for Dallas to win.

“By definition it will be Dak,” responded Babe Laufenberg, the Dallas Cowboys current radio color analyst, when asked in a chat for the Dallas Morning News about who would have the biggest impact in the season opener. “Whatever [Ezekiel] Elliott does will not win or lose the game for the Cowboys. He can certainly help. But it will be Dak Prescott who determines the outcome of this game. My prediction…Dak throws over 30 times? Cowboys lose. Throws 30 or less? Cowboys win.”

Ironically, Prescott has barely thrown more than 30 total passes in his professional career so far. In the preseason, the rookie gunslinger completed 39 of his 50 passes for 454 yards and five touchdowns. Prescott also rushed for two more scores.

In their last outing against the Giants, a 27-20 defeat in Week Seven at New York last year, Cowboys back-up quarterback Matt Cassel threw the ball 27 times in the loss.

In Week One of last season, Dallas defeated New York 27-26 after starting quarterback Tony Romo completed 36 of his 45 attempts for 356 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Romo threw the game-winning score to Witten with seven seconds remaining in that game.

Obviously, both teams will head into this Sunday’s matchup looking very different than last year’s versions. The Cowboys are likely a more complete team offensively with lingering questions concerning their defense and the play of Prescott. While the Giants have a new coaching staff, another offensive weapon in wide receiver Sterling Shepard and several pricey defenders obtained via free agency this offseason.

Whether Prescott is forced to throw 30 or more passes against the Giants likely has little to do with him and everything to do with the success of Dallas’ running game and the play of the Cowboys defense. If either falters Sunday afternoon, Dallas will undoubtedly turn to Dak to win the contest against their divisional foes. We’ll just have to wait and see if the poised rookie can defy expectations once again.