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Dak Prescott silences critics with record-setting performance in wild card win over Bucs

Nikki Chavanelleby: Nikki Chavanelle01/17/23NikkiChavanelle
Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott silences critics with record setting performance in wild card win over T
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

Going head to head versus the NFL’s most prolific postseason performer in Tom Brady, Dak Prescott arose victorious from Monday night’s wild card matchup to advance the Dallas Cowboys to the second round of the playoffs. Prescott threw four touchdowns and ran for a fifth in the 31-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, breaking several franchise records along the way.

After starting the game with three incompletions, the former fourth-round pick had 11 consecutive completions – setting a new franchise record for consecutive completions in a playoff game.

“Missed a couple early but we settled in, got in a groove, able to show the run, run the ball a little bit and just everything off of that started working,” Prescott told Lisa Salters post-game.

Just a week and a day after one of the worst games of his career, the Dallas star went 25-for-33 and broke his turnover streak, which was up to seven after Week 18.

Asked how he handled the barrage of criticism thrown his way after the loss to Washington, Prescott said he simply didn’t allow it to enter his psyche.

“I didn’t listen,” Prescott said. “I simply just didn’t listen to anybody else’s opinions, anyone else’s thoughts. Made sure I was conscious of what I put in my own head. I have a great supporting cast and teammates and that’s all that matters to me.”

Cowboys move on to second round with win over Tampa Bay

Dallas won its first road playoff game in 30 years with the dominant victory that saw the Cowboys get out to a 24-0 lead. Now, they move on to the next round where a revenge match versus the San Francisco 49ers awaits on Sunday night.

Prescott acknowledged last year’s disappointing first-round exit after the game on Monday night, but sai the team at least knows what it is getting into against the 49ers.

“Excited for it,” Prescott said. “They’re a good team. They took us out last year. We know what we’ve got ahead of us, just looking forward to a great week of preparation.”