Dak Prescott discusses Cowboys playoff lull, key factor vs. 49ers

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys are back in the playoffs. This will be Prescott’s third playoff appearance since joining the Cowboys in 2016. After missing out on postseason action for two years, Prescott knows how special it is to have a shot at winning a Super Bowl.

In between Cowboys playoff appearances, Prescott has been through a lot. Last season, his year was cut short with a gruesome leg injury that required him to miss the season. But now, Prescott and the Cowboys are returning to the playoffs, and the feeling of missing out for two straight years will be a key part of how the Cowboys prepare for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.

“Yeah I mean I think it just allows you to not take any moment for granted,” Prescott said about the gap between Cowboys playoff appearances. “Yeah, it seems like a long time obviously. Just putting everything that’s happened in between there, on the field, off the field, not making the playoffs, personal things, being taken away from the game, to being able to be back here with such a great team and just knowing the opportunity that we have in front of us.

“Just not only the talent, but the brotherhood, the relationships and the special bond that we’ve got. I think that’s going to be the key factor that we take into this game that can carry us far.”

Prescott’s preparation has changed a little bit with the Cowboys in the playoffs

In 2016, Prescott got his first taste of the playoffs after going 13-3 as a rookie with the Cowboys. But Dallas lost in the divisional round to the Green Bay Packers. In 2018, the Cowboys beat Seattle in the wildcard round before losing to the Rams in the divisional round.

On Sunday, the 12-5 Cowboys will take on a surging 49ers team. San Francisco opened the year 3-5, but won seven of its final nine games to finish at 10-7 and in the playoffs. The Cowboys won each of their final four games and five of their final six.

A lot of people view the 49ers as a trendy upset pick over the Cowboys in the opening round. But the Cowboys know the challenge that awaits, and Prescott admitted that his preparation has changed a little bit.

“Maybe just a little bit more film,” Prescott said when asked if his preparation changes in the playoffs. “Maybe a little bit more games than in the normal breakdown. We take four or five games, and sometimes in a playoff game you want to go see what they’ve done really well in other games or against other opponents that may not be in that breakdown. And that’s more just trying to get a feel of the (defensive) coordinator and how he calls games and why he’s scheming one blitz up versus a different team than another. Just trying to get a feel for maybe how they come into this game against us.”