Dallas Cowboys NFL

Prescott ignoring cries for Romo, ready for Cowboys vs. Buccaneers

Rachel Page

Photo Credit: Andy Clayton-King / AP Photo

It’s the first time this has happened in Dak Prescott’s short career. It undoubtedly won’t be the last. One bad game was all it took for Dallas Cowboys’ fans to start questioning Prescott’s abilities and call out for Tony Romo’s return.

But all this criticism hasn’t seemed to affect the rookie yet.

“What am I looking over my shoulder for?” he said. “I really just don’t pay attention to it.”

And he shouldn’t. The only rookie quarterback in NFL history to win more games in a row than Prescott (with 11) is Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 (13). Coach Jason Garrett is steadfastly standing by Prescott.

“You can make it as simple or as complex as you want to make it,” he said Monday. “It’s pretty simple for us: Dak’s going to play quarterback as we go forward.”

He’s also got the support of the team, including the other rookie phenom, Ezekiel Elliott. The two have been a nearly unbeatable duo this season.

Really, the only one who’s left room for discussion about the quarterback position is owner Jerry Jones. Immediately after the Cowboys’ loss to the New York Giants last Sunday, Jones echoed Garrett’s sentiments, saying there would be no talk about Romo returning. Since then, however, he’s wavered a bit, saying “you’ll know” when something happens that means Prescott’s out.

These doubts wouldn’t come up at all (or at least not this quickly) if it were any other quarterback besides Romo on the sideline. But because No. 9 has been the face of the franchise for the past decade, fans apparently are hoping he’ll swoop in and save them from what is certain to be a downward spiral by Dak Prescott – and yes, that was sarcasm.

Cowboys vs. Buccaneers

The Cowboys face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, a team whose defense leads the league in takeaways and hasn’t allowed more than 21 points in the last five games (all of which they have won).

Prescott’s challenge will be keeping his confidence up after a rough game last week and picking up where he left off. But that doesn’t sound like it should be a problem.

His confidence “doesn’t waver at all,” he said. “It doesn’t waver in between plays. It’s not going to waver in between games. I just know my job is to come in and give this team the best chance to win. I have all the confidence in the guys around me and myself.”

Wise words from the 23-year-old rookie. With him at the helm, this will continue to be a great Cowboys team.