‘Frustrated’ Dak Prescott Sends Fiery Message to Cowboys After Week 8 Loss
For Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, the numbers coming out of Sunday’s 44-24 drubbing at the hands of the Broncos in Denver were not pretty. He threw for just 188 yards on 19-for-31 passing, putting up two interceptions and no touchdowns on the day. Prescott notched a quarterback rating of 51.5, which was his worst since the Cowboys were knocked around by the Lions a year ago before a hamstring injury ended his season.
Prescott termed his own play “unacceptable,” but added that the team as a whole just did not show up with the level of effort and focus it was going to take to beat a team like Denver on the road. Coming off a season-best win over Washington in Week 7, the Cowboys continued to show themselves to be wildly inconsistent.
With the NFL trade deadline looming, Prescott had a message for his teammates, especially those whose jobs might be in jeopardy amid this bizarre 3-4-1 season.
“I just echoed to the guys in the locker room, forget a trade,” Prescott said. “Do more. Shut that talk up. … Step up and shut the talk up.”
Dak Prescott Frustrated by Lack of Identity
Prescott’s frustration was obvious during the game, which saw him be replaced in the fourth quarter by backup Joe Milton. Through the first seven games of the season, Prescott had been sensational, and even when the team had its struggles, the offense usually played like one of the best in the NFL.
It was deflating, then, to see that aspect of the Cowboys identity disappear on Sunday.
“Talking about identity, trying to find identity, right, it’s hard to even give you an identity until we can put a couple of games together in a row,” Prescott said. “Right now, our identity is up and down. And that’s not anything that I am proud of and that’s not anything that anybody should be proud of on any side of the ball or the coaches—so, like our identity now is inconsistent. And that’s unacceptable.
“We’ve got to be better, we’ve got to find a way to be consistent whether it is at home or on the road, regardless. We’re too good, we’ve got too many good players, we’ve got a great coaching staff.”
Cowboys’ Clowney Also Had a Message
Prescott revealed that veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who signed with the Cowboys last month, sent a similar message to the team after the game. Clowney is a three-time Pro Bowl edge who has played 12 seasons with seven teams and was brought in for his experience as well as his pass-rushing ability.
He told the Cowboys they’re too good to be this bad.
“Hell, Clowney was just saying in the locker room, this roster should not be going up and down like we’re doing,” Prescott said. “A guy like that, when he says it, he has been on seven teams, that hits. It’s real. And so we’ve got to look in the mirror, like I said, like I challenged the guys and, what can we do more?”
James Harrison Speaks Out: ‘It’s Time to Act, No More Excuses!’
Pittsburgh Steelers legend James Harrison didn’t hold back in his latest comments, calling out the team’s defense after their dismal performance against the Green Bay Packers. Following a loss that dropped the Steelers to a 4-3 record, Harrison expressed his frustration with the defense’s inability to live up to its potential, particularly considering they are the highest-paid defense in the NFL.
“There’s no excuse for this,” Harrison said during his podcast with Joe Haden. “We’re the highest-paid defense in the league, and we’re playing like a bottom-feeder. Something has to change, and it has to happen now. Enough talk, it’s time to make moves!”
Harrison’s words reflect the mounting frustration of both fans and players, as the Steelers' defense has failed to meet expectations this season. Despite being loaded with talent, including veterans like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, the defense has struggled to perform at a level commensurate with their pay grade. In the loss to Green Bay, the Steelers allowed over 450 total yards, with Packers tight end Tucker Kraft exploiting defensive mismatches and quarterback Jordan Love completing crucial passes downfield.
“Being the highest-paid defense and playing like this doesn’t make sense,” Harrison continued. “We should be dominating the game, setting the tone. Right now, we’re not doing that, and it’s frustrating for everyone involved.”
This isn’t the first time the Steelers have faced struggles on defense this season. While they’ve had standout moments, including some key takeaways, the unit has allowed too many big plays and failed to force turnovers consistently. Harrison, known for his aggressive play on the field, emphasized that these defensive lapses are unacceptable, especially for a unit with so much talent and high expectations.
“There’s a lot of talent on this defense, but talent doesn’t matter if you’re not executing,” Harrison said. “You can’t keep saying ‘we’ll get it together next week.’ At some point, you have to deliver. We need more from everyone.”
Harrison also pointed to the need for better leadership and accountability. “If you’re not executing, you need to step aside and let someone else do it. We can’t keep making the same mistakes,” he stated.
As the Steelers prepare for their upcoming games, including a critical matchup against the AFC rival Cincinnati Bengals, the pressure is on the defense to step up. Head coach Mike Tomlin has also emphasized the need for improvement, but it’s clear that Harrison is calling for immediate action, not just words.
“If you’re a leader in this locker room, it’s time to take ownership,” Harrison concluded. “The defense needs to step up. No more excuses.”
The Steelers are at a crossroads, and it’s up to the defense to answer the call and live up to their massive potential. If they fail to do so, the season’s chances of making a deep playoff run could be in jeopardy.
