NFL Coach Says Dak Prescott 'Has Proven When It Comes to the Big Games, He Can't Win'

One NFL coach still isn't sold on Dallas Cowboys star Dak Prescott as a quarterback who can deliver in the most important settings.

"He has proven when it comes to the big games, he can't win," the coach told The Athletic's Mike Sando for Sando's annual QB tier rankings. "I've had him as a 2 before, but over the years, it is the same thing over and over again."

A second coach had a similar perspective, praising Prescott while at the same time alluding to his on-field limitations.

"That place is so funny — it just teeters with disaster," the coach said to Sando. "They put the expectations so high, they can never reach them. Dak has been fantastic for what he is. He plays past his draft status all the time. He plays past his physical abilities most of the time. And then it catches up to him when it really matters the most."

Prescott came in at No. 12 and in Tier 2 for Sando's exercise. Thirty of the respondents consider the three-time Pro Bowler to be in the second tier, and 19 even had him in Tier 3.

It's a common refrain with any quarterback who consistently puts up strong numbers but doesn't have a signature playoff run to his name. Until you win the big one, fans will question whether you can get it done.

And despite their Super Bowl drought extending into a third decade, being the starting quarterback for the Cowboys provides an added layer of pressure.

Dallas' inability to advance to even the NFC championship isn't all on Prescott. In seven playoff appearances, he has thrown for 1,962 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Still, the 32-year-old is a common denominator in the franchise failing to get over the hump in the present era, and he's not getting any younger.

In general, Prescott is the perfect symbol for a period in which the Cowboys have been pretty good but consistently hit a ceiling in the postseason.