Following a narrow defeat against the San Francisco 49ers, players in the locker room expressed confidence in their ability to win the remaining five division games, which could help secure a playoff spot by season’s end.

Dallas faces several straightforward challenges.

They need to improve their running game, enhance their ability to stop the run consistently, strengthen their offensive line, and win the turnover battle.

These issues are manageable, but one of the most critical areas for improvement lies with Dak Prescott.

This season, Prescott has faced difficulties, having recently completed his first three-game stretch in his career where he threw multiple interceptions in each match.

As the highest-paid player in NFL history, he hasn’t performed to expectations, especially after a 2023 season where he was a runner-up for MVP.

After the loss to San Francisco, Prescott expressed his frustrations: “I’m personally frustrated… Frustration is very high, but it’s a long season. We have many division games ahead of us.”

He acknowledged his struggles but remains hopeful about the team’s future.

However, not all of Prescott’s struggles can be blamed solely on him.

One of his interceptions against the 49ers was the result of being pressured to throw a deep pass to KaVontae Turpin, which fell short.

Another interception against the Saints occurred when Prescott attempted a risky pass to Jalen Brooks, who slipped and allowed the ball to be intercepted.

Moreover, Dallas’s running game has been weak, ranking last in the NFL with just 519 rushing yards.

This lack of a strong running game limits Prescott’s effectiveness in play-action situations, which has historically been a strength for him.

Given the financial constraints the Cowboys will face after 2024, with Prescott’s four-year, $240 million extension and CeeDee Lamb’s four-year, $136 million extension on the horizon, he must adapt to a situation where he has less to work with.

So far, he hasn’t demonstrated he can rise to this challenge.

In the first seven games of the season, Prescott has thrown eight interceptions, just one short of his total from the entire previous season.

According to Pro Football Focus, he has recorded 16 turnover-worthy plays, just six shy of his career-high from 2019.

His offensive production has also faltered, with only CeeDee Lamb emerging as a reliable target; Jalen Tolbert and Jake Ferguson are the only others with more than 200 receiving yards.

As an offense, the Cowboys currently rank 22nd in the league, averaging 21.4 points per game. Prescott remarked, “I don’t have to be perfect, but I sure can’t be having the turnovers. Touchdowns make the difference in the end.

We put ourselves behind in the turnover battle, and that’s on me. I’ve got to clean that up, period.”

Prescott is committed to accountability. He has consistently received praise from teammates and coaches, and he is the first to take responsibility, regardless of the outcome.

“I’ve got to make throws, pressure or not, and I’m capable of doing it. So, I’ve got to do it,” he stated.

Head coach Mike McCarthy has expressed confidence in Prescott, stating he is “damn excited” to have him as the quarterback, while owner Jerry Jones believes Prescott will be leading the team through at least 2028.

If the Cowboys aim to turn their season around, Prescott must navigate his challenges while maintaining productivity and minimizing turnovers.

“We know what it takes in this league,” Prescott said.

“You get hot, and you can start rolling—that’s what we’re looking for. Nobody is giving up. We just have to take it one game at a time.

Everything’s still in our control. Yes, we’ve lost four games, but we can get hot, and that’s the plan.

We just need to keep building, regardless of whether it was a win or a loss. That’s how this league operates; you have to build.”

Overall, the future success of the Cowboys heavily relies on Prescott’s ability to elevate his game and lead the team effectively.