- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,031
Comparisons between Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson come with wins
7:53 AM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett kept going on and on about the quarterback on Thursday.
“He’s obviously a great leader. His teammates respond to him. He has an incredible ability to make plays with his feet, with his arm,” Garrett said. “He plays great in critical moments of the game and he’s one of those rare guys, his feel and instinct for the game are really second to none. His athleticism at that position really challenges you every time the ball is snapped.”
Garrett wasn’t talking about his quarterback, Dak Prescott, although those comments ring true. He was talking about the quarterback he will see on the other side of the AT&T Stadium field on Sunday -- Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
There are similarities between Prescott and Wilson beyond style of play.
Both were multi-year starters at schools in big conferences but without big-time expectations. Prescott took Mississippi State to the No. 1 ranking in the country in 2014. Wilson led N.C. State to bowl wins in 2008 and 2010 before transferring his senior season to Wisconsin, where he led the Badgers to a win in the first Big Ten championship game.
Despite gaudy collegiate numbers, neither player generated first-round NFL interest. Prescott was knocked for inaccuracy and the scheme he played. The Cowboys did not take him until the 135th overall pick. Wilson was knocked for his lack of height, and he was not selected until the third round. No. 75 overall.
Both players were drafted with the idea of serving as backups as a rookie. Tony Romo's compression fracture in 2014 led to Prescott moving into the starting lineup and he responded with one of the best seasons in NFL history for a rookie quarterback as the Cowboys finished 13-3. The Seahawks signed Matt Flynn in free agency before drafting Wilson but he outplayed Flynn in the preseason and won the job. The Seahawks went 11-5 and made it to the divisional round of the playoffs, just like Prescott in 2016 with the Cowboys.
“Russell is a guy that, I mean, I watched before I was even in this league and tried to model his game, the way he plays it, his elusiveness, taking care of the ball and just being smart,” Prescott said. “He’s a great player and I definitely watch his game and try to take things that he does.”
As a rookie, Wilson was protected to a degree by a running game led by Marshawn Lynch and a suffocating defense. Prescott had the league’s leading rusher in Ezekiel Elliott last year and directed an offense that helped protect a defense that finished fifth in the NFL in points allowed.
As the years have gone on, Wilson has been asked to carry more of a burden with the Seahawks offense. This season he has accounted for 97 percent of the Seahawks' offensive touchdowns (33 of 34), the highest percentage of any player in NFL history. He leads the Seahawks in rushing yards (521) and would be the fifth quarterback since the 1970 merger to lead his team in rushing. He’s also the first player in NFL history with multiple seasons of at least 30 touchdown passes and 500 yards rushing.
The Cowboys have had to put more on Prescott this season with Elliott’s absence due to a suspension. He has 21 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions and six rushing touchdowns. At times he has had to mimic Wilson’s ability to buy time in the passing game.
“I just think he’s a great player,” Garrett said of Wilson. “A lot of people are talking about this year. I think he’s been a great player since he’s come into the league. You see him do so many things that help their team win.”
Through their first 30 NFL games, the two quarterbacks' statistics are remarkably similar:
Wilson posted a 23-7 record. Prescott is 21-9.
Wilson had 50 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions. Prescott has 44 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. Wilson completed 64.4 percent of his passes. Prescott has completed 65.6 percent. Wilson had a Total QBR of 73.5. Prescott has a Total QBR of 72.9.
Prescott took over the Cowboys’ starting job against Wilson with Romo suffering the injury in the preseason game at Seattle two summers ago. There was nothing on the line that day for both teams.
On Sunday, the loser of the game will be eliminated from the playoffs.
According to Elias, Wilson is looking to make his sixth straight playoff appearance, which would match Otto Graham as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to open their careers with that many consecutive trips to the playoffs. Prescott is looking to make his second straight trip to the playoffs and help the Cowboys to their first back-to-back playoff appearances since 2006-07.
In order to get back there, Prescott might have to do his best Wilson impersonation at times Sunday.
“He does a lot of things I think only Russell Wilson can do, so I’m not trying to take everything from his game,” Prescott said, “but there are little pieces, definitely.”
7:53 AM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett kept going on and on about the quarterback on Thursday.
“He’s obviously a great leader. His teammates respond to him. He has an incredible ability to make plays with his feet, with his arm,” Garrett said. “He plays great in critical moments of the game and he’s one of those rare guys, his feel and instinct for the game are really second to none. His athleticism at that position really challenges you every time the ball is snapped.”
Garrett wasn’t talking about his quarterback, Dak Prescott, although those comments ring true. He was talking about the quarterback he will see on the other side of the AT&T Stadium field on Sunday -- Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
There are similarities between Prescott and Wilson beyond style of play.
Both were multi-year starters at schools in big conferences but without big-time expectations. Prescott took Mississippi State to the No. 1 ranking in the country in 2014. Wilson led N.C. State to bowl wins in 2008 and 2010 before transferring his senior season to Wisconsin, where he led the Badgers to a win in the first Big Ten championship game.
Despite gaudy collegiate numbers, neither player generated first-round NFL interest. Prescott was knocked for inaccuracy and the scheme he played. The Cowboys did not take him until the 135th overall pick. Wilson was knocked for his lack of height, and he was not selected until the third round. No. 75 overall.
Both players were drafted with the idea of serving as backups as a rookie. Tony Romo's compression fracture in 2014 led to Prescott moving into the starting lineup and he responded with one of the best seasons in NFL history for a rookie quarterback as the Cowboys finished 13-3. The Seahawks signed Matt Flynn in free agency before drafting Wilson but he outplayed Flynn in the preseason and won the job. The Seahawks went 11-5 and made it to the divisional round of the playoffs, just like Prescott in 2016 with the Cowboys.
“Russell is a guy that, I mean, I watched before I was even in this league and tried to model his game, the way he plays it, his elusiveness, taking care of the ball and just being smart,” Prescott said. “He’s a great player and I definitely watch his game and try to take things that he does.”
As a rookie, Wilson was protected to a degree by a running game led by Marshawn Lynch and a suffocating defense. Prescott had the league’s leading rusher in Ezekiel Elliott last year and directed an offense that helped protect a defense that finished fifth in the NFL in points allowed.
As the years have gone on, Wilson has been asked to carry more of a burden with the Seahawks offense. This season he has accounted for 97 percent of the Seahawks' offensive touchdowns (33 of 34), the highest percentage of any player in NFL history. He leads the Seahawks in rushing yards (521) and would be the fifth quarterback since the 1970 merger to lead his team in rushing. He’s also the first player in NFL history with multiple seasons of at least 30 touchdown passes and 500 yards rushing.
The Cowboys have had to put more on Prescott this season with Elliott’s absence due to a suspension. He has 21 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions and six rushing touchdowns. At times he has had to mimic Wilson’s ability to buy time in the passing game.
“I just think he’s a great player,” Garrett said of Wilson. “A lot of people are talking about this year. I think he’s been a great player since he’s come into the league. You see him do so many things that help their team win.”
Through their first 30 NFL games, the two quarterbacks' statistics are remarkably similar:
Wilson posted a 23-7 record. Prescott is 21-9.
Wilson had 50 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions. Prescott has 44 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. Wilson completed 64.4 percent of his passes. Prescott has completed 65.6 percent. Wilson had a Total QBR of 73.5. Prescott has a Total QBR of 72.9.
Prescott took over the Cowboys’ starting job against Wilson with Romo suffering the injury in the preseason game at Seattle two summers ago. There was nothing on the line that day for both teams.
On Sunday, the loser of the game will be eliminated from the playoffs.
According to Elias, Wilson is looking to make his sixth straight playoff appearance, which would match Otto Graham as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to open their careers with that many consecutive trips to the playoffs. Prescott is looking to make his second straight trip to the playoffs and help the Cowboys to their first back-to-back playoff appearances since 2006-07.
In order to get back there, Prescott might have to do his best Wilson impersonation at times Sunday.
“He does a lot of things I think only Russell Wilson can do, so I’m not trying to take everything from his game,” Prescott said, “but there are little pieces, definitely.”