The numbers for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott were not bad coming out of Sunday’s 34-26 loss to the Vikings. He completed 23 of his 38 passes for 294 yards on the day and took only two sacks. But despite the numbers, it was clear throughout the game that Minnesota’s vaunted blitz defense, which he had discussed repeatedly through last week, had befuddled him. The Vikings sent aggressive looks to the line throughout the game, and Prescott had a hard time identifying when they would back off and when they would send pressure.

The Cowboys were just 2-for-12 on third-down conversions, and if there is any indicator that points to what kind of day it was for Prescott, it’s that.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer was frustrated after the loss, and made no bones about saying so.

“I’m frustrated that,” he said. “We didn’t find a way to get this game done. I’m frustrated that we were that poor on third down. We’re better than that. 
I’m better than that.”

Cowboys Now on a Losing Streak

For the Cowboys, now on a two-game losing streak, the reality of the final five games is pretty grim–there is virtually no chance that they can find their way into the postseason, not at 6-7-1. It would be easy at this juncture to punch out for a lot of these Cowboys players, who had raised their playoff hopes with a three-game winning streak that followed the acquisition of defensive lineman Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline.

Prescott will be on guard for that sort of approach, though, as the Cowboys prepare for these final three games.

“We’ve gotta—it’s professionals,” Prescott said. “Professional football player. Like, you gotta come to work and give your absolute best regardless. Unfortunately, I am sure the playoffs are out of the picture, but it is about taking pride as a man and not only that, your job. What’s gotten you to this point. For a lot of guys, in just the business of the world, that’s interviews for some people. You can’t just give up, you can’t just stop, you can’t just say, ‘We’re not going to the playoffs.’”

Dak Prescott: Cowboys Must ‘Take Pride in Who You Are’

Indeed, there is still something at stake for the Cowboys, as the playoffs are not completely removed from the picture, and for several on the roster–including stars like running back Javonte Williams and receiver George Pickens–they will be looking to secure a big contract next offseason. Others will be fighting to keep a job in the league.

And that’s how Prescott will try to keep lighting a fire under this team, keep sending a clear message to the Cowboys: Take some pride in the job.

“We’ve got to show up and do our job,” Prescott said. “We’ve got to do our job, and that starts throughout the week and when you get to the game days, it is a celebration of the hard work that you put in through your preparation. Nothing is going to change for me. That’s going to be my influence as a leader, my message to anybody around me—taking pride in who you are as a man, who you are as a football player, and job responsibility you have.

“What that entails is giving your best every day and if you don’t, you probably won’t be in this league for long.”