The Cowboys lost, but did the most important thing they could: Keep Dak Prescott healthy

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It took Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott roughly five minutes to turn a page and start thinking about the 2026 season after Dallas’ 34-17 loss to the New York Giants. Then, after his final postgame news conference of the year, it took him roughly five minutes to forget his in-season eating habits.

To be fair, there are less-nutritious options than Katz’s Deli’s famous pastrami sandwiches that were waiting for the team after the game, but the choice doesn’t exactly align with the regimen that led Prescott’s teammate, Jake Ferguson, to call his quarterback the “Slim Reaper” this past off-season.

“Honestly, my thoughts are that I literally said I may take a week off and not weighing myself and who cares what I eat,” Prescott said. “It won’t be too long after that before we’re completely dialed in.”

Besides, how much damage can be done in a week when Prescott is already ahead of where he was last year?

Cowboys

The Cowboys didn’t win Sunday, and Prescott’s personal 14-game winning streak over the New York Giants came to an end, but the final score was inconsequential. The true determination for whether the Cowboys had a good day Sunday solely lied with the health of Prescott. The Cowboys remained steadfast in playing Prescott in the season finale. There was inherent risk involved.

By the end of the first half, the Cowboys avoided the only way they could truly lose on Sunday. Quarterbacks coach Steve Shimko told Prescott the news that his day was over, and so was his 2025 season. He congratulated him on a year where he finished with 32 total touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 4,552 passing yards — the second-most he’s ever had in his career.

Prescott said after the game that he was frustrated because those numbers didn’t equate to more wins. Prescott also felt personal pride in how this season went, calling it a success for him individually.

“Because of the process that I took with the injury and how early I started my offseason,” Prescott said. “So just going into this [offseason] we’ll be intentional a lot earlier and focus.”

Prescott’s season ended last year when he had surgery to fix a hamstring avulsion. It took a while for him to run again, but once he could, he hit the ground doing so. The “Slim Reaper” nickname was earned, not given. It helped him play in a full season a year after playing in less than half of one. Prescott called that a blessing. For him and the Cowboys, starting the offseason healthy is also a gift.

“It’s a huge benefit,” Prescott said.

“Being healthy is a huge part in it, and I think I’ll have the best offseason of my career the way that I approach it and attack it.”

That’s good news for the Cowboys, because in years where the Cowboys don’t have the worst defense in their history — like they did this season — they have success when Prescott remains healthy. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been adamant that they signed Prescott to the largest contract in NFL history, in terms of annual value, because they believed Prescott could be the foundation of a Super Bowl-winning team. They want to build around him.

Prescott’s performance this season sparks optimism for the offense. It sparks something else for the defense.

“They’re a Super Bowl-winning offense,” Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said. “That strikes a match upon me, especially as a leader on the defense and a player to help this defense and turn this thing around and get it going in the right direction. The sense of urgency is going to be through the roof when we get back to be able to get that turned around because we do have a Super Bowl-caliber offense.

“I’ve been on a couple teams with a top-five defense and the offense struggled, and I’ve been on the other side of that. That’s not a good feeling.”

Turning around a defense that allowed over 500 points for the first time in history will be the main objective this offseason. Because of Prescott, the team’s front office should also have urgency to fix the defense and make needed additions.

“We can’t be timid about it,” Jones said earlier this week on 105.3 The Fan when it came to making moves to build around Prescott.

Especially because they know Prescott won’t hesitate to do his part this offseason. Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Booker said Prescott’s consistency with his work stood out to him. Cowboys defensive tackle Kenny Clark, an admirer of Prescott’s game from afar for most of his career, was even more impressed with his quarterback’s competitiveness when he got to see it firsthand this season. Wide receiver Ryan Flournoy said he’s already waiting on Prescott to schedule throwing sessions.

“I think we’ll look way better next year,” Flournoy said.

Starting the offseason healthy, thanks to a limited performance on Sunday, could be a big reason why.

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