Ah, the Dallas Cowboys and their eternal roller-coaster of hope, hype and heartbreak. This week’s ‘Trash Player of the Week’ badge goes to the man who keeps Cowboys fans toggling between excitement and despair: Dak Prescott. If ever there was a quarterback who can have a stellar game followed by a disaster, it’s Prescott. But after last Sunday, even die-hard fans are running out of hope.

Dallas played at San Francisco sitting at 3-3 and needing a win to keep pace with the Commanders and Eagles in the NFC East. Did Prescott respond? In a big game? Of course not.

Dak threw two interceptions in a 30-24 defeat to the 49ers, who have now owned him for years. Dak seems to save his worst games against SF for whatever reason.

Hype vs. Reality: The Dak Dilemma

When you’re QB1 for ‘America’s Team,’ the expectation bar is as high as Jerry Jones’ ego. Prescott roared into Big D eight years ago a 6-foot-2, 240-pound specimen with a cannon for an arm, mobility and what seemed like strong leadership qualities. But consistency? Hasn’t happened, and likely never will.

But that’s Dak. He usually buckles in high-stakes situations. The game against the 49ers was classic Dak — poor reads, forced throws and head-scratching decision-making.

Prescott is one of those QBs who piles up big stats in the regular season only to fold in the playoffs. You keep thinking, OK this is the postseason he turns it around. And you keep waiting, but it never happens.

In eight-plus seasons, Prescott has 31,304 yards passing, tied for 52nd all time. He quite possibly could wind up top 10 before he retires. He has 212 touchdown passes, has completed 67 percent of his passes and has a 76-45 record.

But in the playoffs, Great Dak becomes Bad Dak. He is 2-5 has a postseason career littered with trashy decisions. He had a pick-6 in last season’s blowout loss to the Packers. In 2021, he inadvertently ran out the clock on a scramble against the 49ers. He threw two INTs in a playoff loss to the 49ers in 2023.

Situational Awareness: Asleep at the Wheel

Watching Prescott manage game situations is like watching someone attempt calculus after a nap—he just looks lost. This isn’t a rookie struggling to read defenses; this is a seasoned quarterback who should know better.

Prescott is now in his ninth season, but his decision-making under pressure is regressing. Elite quarterbacks thrive in high-stakes moments; Prescott shrinks, turning potentially game-winning situations into gut-wrenching losses.

Prescott isn’t the only underperforming quarterback out there, but he’s certainly one of the most expensive. In the offseason Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made two stupid decisions: 1, making Prescott the highest-paid player in NFL history at $240 million over four years and 2, keeping Mike McCarthy at head coach.

When a quarterback gets paid top-tier money, they’re expected to deliver top-tier results. Cowboys fans are left wondering if this investment will ever pay off. For $60 million a year, Dallas should be getting more than ‘good’ from Dak. They should be getting clutch, consistent, and game-winning performances.

The Cowboys Curse or the Dak Effect?

Blaming the Cowboys’ struggles solely on Prescott might seem unfair—after all, Dallas has had more than its fair share of bizarre misfortunes over the years. However, Prescott’s inability to elevate his game at crucial moments raises questions about whether he’s the leader the Cowboys need to overcome the so-called “Dallas Curse.”

It’s no secret that the Cowboys have been desperate to find their next Troy Aikman since… well, since Troy Aikman. Tony Romo had his moments but ultimately fell short. Now Prescott seems to be following in Romo’s footsteps—a quarterback with promise but without that elusive “it” factor needed to take Dallas to the next level.

The Harsh Reality: Is It Time for a Dak-Free Future?

Maybe it’s time to face facts: Prescott isn’t the QB who’s going to deliver the Cowboys’ first Super Bowl title since 1996. Dallas might want to think about drafting a quarterback in the next draft or exploring trade options. Prescott’s not getting any younger, and neither are the hopes of Cowboys fans who’ve been waiting for a true return to glory since the 90s.

But what’s next? The Cowboys are stuck with Prescott’s contract for now, and there’s no easy exit strategy without eating a hefty cap hit. Still, if Dallas wants to contend in the postseason, they need a quarterback who can perform consistently under pressure, not one who looks great on paper but disappears in the clutch.

So, congrats, Dak, on being our Trash Player of the Week. It’s an award you’ve earned. Just like Cowboys fans deserve better. If Prescott’s play continues down this path, this week’s “award” might not be his last.