EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Going into Sunday’s Week 5 matchup against the New York Jets, the Cowboys were down four of their starting offensive linemen – three of which were first round picks.
Instead, they trotted out a starting give that consisted of a sixth-round pick, seventh-round pick, and three undrafted free agents. If anyone understands the position those five were in, it’s Dak Prescott, who was in their shoes when he was thrust into being the starting quarterback for the Cowboys in his rookie season.
“If there’s ever a guy who’s gonna believe in somebody having to step up to the plate when their number is called and people don’t think they’re ready, it’s going to be me.” Prescott said.
“To me, it’s just about encouraging those guys and motivating those guys to understand that you’re meant to be here. You’re here for a purpose, you’re here for a reason. Don’t overthink this thing, it’s football.”
There was not a lot of overthinking for the Cowboys offense against the Jets, as they ran up 416 total yards of offense behind that new-look offensive line. Prescott completed 18 of his 29 attempts for 237 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. That’s not an effort that is seen much around the NFL if other teams are in similar situations.
“It’s credit to these coaches, it’s credit to the players, it’s credit to the organization and everybody,” Prescott said. “There’s not many teams in the league that can put four guys who don’t start into the game and feel confident about going and winning the game, especially on the road.”
Even with four new faces up front, the Cowboys were still able to carve out 180 rushing yards, including 135 and a touchdown on 16 carries from Javonte Williams. His 8.4 yards per carry was the highest for him this season, and it’s a testament to Dallas’ depth in his eyes.
“It just shows how deep this team really is,” Williams said. “Even though you’re not a starter, you’re still locking in on scout team, locked in at practice, listening in the meeting room, and it just shows everybody’s paying attention and buying into what coach really wants us to do.”
From a coaching standpoint, Sunday afternoon served as uncharted waters for first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“I don’t remember ever having to go in with four brand new offensive linemen,”‘ Schottenheimer said. “But again, I think it goes down to their belief in one another.”
Earlier in the week, Prescott had a conversation with second-year lineman Trevor Keegan, who arrived in Dallas after being claimed off waivers in late August. He rotated in and out at left guard with Hakeem Adeniji in place of an injured Tyler Smith.
The basis of the conversation was simple: This is a game that’s won by a team, not individuals, and they didn’t make it to the NFL by accident.
“These guys don’t see themselves as backups, as they shouldn’t,” Prescott said. “They’re just waiting on their opportunity. It goes back to April and OTAs all the way through minicamp, of guys taking advantage of each rep that they’ve gotten and knowing that their time is going to come.”
After the game, second-year left tackle Nate Thomas approached Prescott and assured him that he could and would do better going forward. That was even after the Cowboys’ offensive line kept Prescott clean, with his only sack coming on a slide a yard behind the line of scrimmage to bleed clock in the fourth quarter. It’s that kind of commitment from his teammates that gives Prescott the belief in them that he holds.
“‘Dude, I know you will. I know you will.’ That’s as rewarding as this win is, because you got guys who care about this as much as you do and want to be the best absolutely every play, and so my confidence just continues to rise with those guys.”
