$240 Million QB Dak Prescott Shines in Season Opener But Still Faces Criticism
The first week of the NFL regular season was an absolute movie for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott — one that began with “Spitgate” and ended with a thrilling, 24-20 loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
In between all of that, Prescott played his position just about as well as anyone in the NFL.
That’s why Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski made Prescott one of just 6 quarterbacks to receive an “A” grade or higher in Week 1 — and the only one who earned the grade despite a loss.
The Cowboys very well could have come out with the win if not for a trio of uncharacteristic drops from NFL All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the second half.
Prescott, who missed 9 games in 2024 with a hamstring injury, finished 21-of-34 passing for 188 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions but was also brilliant in the pocket against one of the NFL’s top defense and didn’t take a single sack.
“All of the hullabaloo aside … quarterback Dak Prescott played as well as anyone could have expected in the Dallas Cowboys’ season opener,” Sobleski wrote on September 9. “However, his teammates didn’t help as much as they should have. CeeDee Lamb is one of the league’s best wide receivers. But three official drops, not including a fourth where he could have made a diving grab, all but sealed Dallas’ defeat at the hands of the rival Eagles … Prescott just needs to keep playing the same way he did in Week 1 and good things should start to happen for the Cowboys.”
Preseason Overshadowed By Parsons Soap Opera
Prescott and every other player on the Cowboys roster faded into the background during the preseason thanks to the epic soap opera drama between former edge rusher Micah Parsons and owner Jerry Jones.
There may have been an unseen benefit for Prescott. Were the Parsons drama not to have played out like it did, there’s a world in which the entire preseason’s top storyline would have been how Prescott, the NFL’s highest paid player at $60 million per year, has continued to fail to bring his team to the next level.
By the time Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers on August 28, the regular season was all but upon us and all Prescott had left to do was play.
Not Considered NFL Top 10 Quarterback
If you want to know the esteem in which Prescott was held in the eyes of NFL executives, coaches and scouts headed into 2025, just take one look at ESPN’s annual preseason position rankings.
Prescott, who was NFL Most Valuable Player runner-up and an NFL All-Pro in 2023, wasn’t just completely left out of the Top 10. He was also left off one of the 2 honorable mention slots and relegated to the “others receiving votes” category.
Within his own division, Prescott is no longer even looked at as elite. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 — the same award Prescott won in 2016.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts capped his year by being named Super Bowl MVP after a 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
BREAKING NEWS: Jaguars’ Liam Coen Complains About Bengals Fans, Zac Taylor’s Sharp Reply Ends Debate
The NFL world erupted into debate on Monday after Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen made a surprising — and controversial — public request. Ahead of his team’s high-stakes clash with the Cincinnati Bengals, Coen called on the league to intervene and limit the number of Bengals fans allowed in the stadium.
According to Coen, the sheer volume of Cincinnati’s traveling fan base has become a disruptive factor that unfairly influences games. “The noise is completely out of control,” Coen said. “It’s not just loud — it’s affecting our ability to call plays, adjust protections, and execute our strategy. The NFL needs to step in and restore balance before it crosses the line of fair competition.”
The statement instantly set social media ablaze. Bengals fans, who pride themselves on their passionate support at home and on the road, mocked Coen for what they perceived as a weak excuse. Neutral observers chimed in as well, pointing out that crowd noise has been a celebrated part of football culture for decades, often seen as a reward for teams with loyal followings.
The controversy escalated just minutes later, when Bengals head coach Zac Taylor delivered a blistering response. In only seven sharp words, Taylor dismissed Coen’s concerns and left little room for debate:
“If you fear fans, you fear football.”
Taylor’s reply quickly went viral, drawing praise from analysts, players, and fans alike. Many highlighted his statement as a testament to the competitive spirit of the game, where thriving under hostile conditions is part of what separates great teams from the rest.
Around the league, reactions poured in. Some sympathized with Coen’s perspective, acknowledging that extreme noise levels can create communication breakdowns and impact safety. But the overwhelming majority sided with Taylor, arguing that adapting to a roaring stadium is part of the challenge every NFL team must embrace.
As the Jaguars prepare to face the Bengals, the story has only added fuel to an already heated matchup. Bengals fans are now expected to show up in even greater numbers, determined to prove that their presence cannot be silenced.
For Liam Coen, what began as a call for fairness may have instead turned into bulletin-board material for Cincinnati. Thanks to Zac Taylor’s cutting retort, the spotlight is firmly on Jacksonville to rise above the noise — both literally and figuratively.
