The Cowboys’ passing offense is off to their worst start in the Dak Prescott era. Shoddy protection, ineffective route concepts being poorly run, and curious decision-making have all contributed to Dallas’ No. 23 ranking in EPA per pass in 2024.

After throwing just nine interceptions in all of 2023, Prescott already has eight picks through the season’s first seven games. He’s on track to set a career high in interceptions thrown and it’s not hard to see why. Nearly every facet of the game has been working against him and with the Cowboys often playing catch-up behind their historically terrible defense, Prescott is often caught forcing bad passes into ugly situations.

Not only does Prescott rate at the top of the league in turnover-worthy pass rate in 2024, but he also rates at the top in tight-window throws. It doesn’t take Angela Lansbury to connect those dots.

Too old of a reference?

Columbo?

Matlock?

Mystery Incorporated?

Inspector Poirot?

Moving in the wrong direction… it’s clear Prescott’s turnover issue is directly related to the tight windows in which he’s throwing. Prescott didn’t suddenly forget how to calculate risk or forget how to throw; he’s simply dealing with the situation he’s been given.

With receivers struggling to separate and an internal clock that punishes patience, Prescott is feeling the pressure to deliver more tight window throws than he’d otherwise like to. There is no question many of these passes are poor decisions, but given the Cowboys’ 30th ranked defense, Prescott probably feels it’s the only way for team to stay in the hunt.

This is a situation in which everyone gets blame. The coaching staff for the poor play design. WRs for failing to get separation. The offensive line for not providing trustworthy pass protection. The running game for not keeping defenses honest. The defense for being universally terrible. And, of course, for Prescott forcing dangerous passes.

Don’t let anyone simplify the issue by placing blame at the feet of just one or two entities in Dallas. This takes a team effort and given all the factors working against the passing attack, the Cowboys are getting a very predictable result.

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