Dallas Cowboys Reveal Dak Prescott 1 Key 'Trait' To Be Tested at San Francisco 49ers

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has had a rather smooth opening month to the season, with Mike McCarthy revealing the key trait that has helped Dak succeed.

Coming into the season, many of the questions surrounding the Dallas Cowboys revolved around quarterback Dak Prescott. After leading the league in interceptions (15), the choice was made for head coach Mike McCarthy to take over the play-calling duties from Kellen Moore.

Now, as Dak gets used to McCarthy's Texas Coast Offense, we are starting to see the fruits of the offseason labor. Through the first month of the season, Prescott has thrown for 908 yards, four touchdowns,  and one interception while having a completion percentage of 71.3 as he has led Dallas to a 3-1 record.

But how has McCarthy viewed his quarterback's first month of football?

“I think he’s playing very well,” McCarthy said. “The ball distribution is what it's supposed to look like. You look at his numbers of how the ball’s been moved around. Each week is a different challenge, and we’ve had some moving parts in the offensive line, he hasn’t let that affect him, he has great confidence in all his teammates. 

"That’s a needed trait for a quarterback. Just to trust the five guys in front of you. I think he’s had a really good first quarter.”

It is no secret that Dak has a lot of trust in his receivers. After all, there were trips away together as the offense worked on chemistry in Atlanta, and hang-arounds in the QB's "Dak-Yard'' not far from The Star, and so far, it appears that the work has paid off.

Through the first four games, five receivers have 15 or more targets on offense, and four different players have touchdowns on the year. So Dak is, as McCarthy stated, spreading the ball around.

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One of the biggest storylines of the offseason was Prescott's interceptions. Part of McCarthy taking over the play-calling duties was to help cut down the interceptions. Well, through the first four games, Dak has one.

But what does McCarthy think is the reason for Prescott's lack of interceptions?

“Decisions, ball accuracy, connection,” McCarthy said. “We’ve got work to do there, too, the connection we have with the perimeter, just playing better together.”

Prescott's ability to protect the ball will come under serious scrutiny on Sunday as the Cowboys face fellow NFC heavyweight, the San Francisco 49ers. 

In the two playoff losses to the 49ers, Prescott has thrown for 460 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions as for most, the blame for both losses landed squarely on the shoulders of Dak.

"Now it's about turning the page and studying the hell out of them,'' Dak said. "I've played them in the playoffs and we understand it's a team that if we get to where we want to get, we have to play them again, come playoffs. I look forward to the matchup and turning the page … and coming up with a great gameplan."

He and the Cowboys get a shot at retribution on Sunday Night Football as the entire country tunes in to see exactly which version of Prescott and Dallas shows up.

Through the first four weeks, the Cowboys have played complementary football as the defense has gotten takeaways, and the offense hasn't turned the ball over.

McCarthy stated that Dak's confidence in his receivers is a trait quarterbacks need. On Sunday, Prescott will need that confidence as he faces arguably his biggest test of the year.