Week 13 vs. Houston Texans
Last week, Dak Prescott didn't have to do too much. Throwing for three touchdowns and just 170 yards, Dallas let their run game and defense take over. While it was still good to see him throw for three scores, the yardage was way down.
I expect more of the same this week. Going up against Houston who ranks 13th in passing yards allowed and second in passing touchdowns allowed, Dallas may elect to rely on their ground game. I'm still starting Prescott as a backend QB1.
Week 13 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Although throwing for two interceptions last week, Dak Prescott still had a solid day putting up 261 passing yards and two touchdowns. With so much success on the ground, it was encouraging to see Prescott have yet another good fantasy performance.
This week won't be a walk in the park, however. Facing Indianapolis, who ranks fifth and sixth in passing yards and touchdowns allowed, Dallas may lean on the run in this one. I still expect QB1 numbers, but don't think Prescott will blow the roof off in this one.
Week 12 vs. New York Giants
Coming off a narrow loss, Dak Prescott had another solid start against the Minnesota Vikings. Throwing for 276 yards and two touchdowns, Prescott also added three rushes for 16 yards.
This week, it gets a bit tougher. Going up against a divisional opponent with a solid defense, Prescott will need to throw for a couple of touchdowns to really hit. I expect the passing yards to be modest this week as New York gave up just 165 passing yards to Jared Goff last week. Still start Prescott as a QB1 on Thanksgiving day.
Week 10 at Minnesota Vikings
Going up against a tough Green Bay pass defense last week, Dak Prescott actually had a solid game. Putting up 265 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing two interceptions, Prescott put together a solid fantasy performance.
Getting further removed from his injury, Prescott and the Dallas offense could just be getting started. Now facing off against a suspect Minnesota pass defense that currently ranks 29th in passing yards allowed, fire up Prescott as a locked in QB1.
Week 10 at Green Bay Packers
Dak Prescott had himself a day against Chicago two weeks ago prior to heading into the bye week. Putting up 250 passing yards and two touchdowns, he added another 34 yards on the ground and another score.
While Prescott should be a locked and loaded QB1 this week, we must keep in mind that the Green Bay defense is solid against the pass. Ranked second in passing yards allowed and eighth in passing touchdowns allowed, Dallas may look to run the ball a bit more. I'm not benching Prescott, but I am not expecting him to go nuclear through the air.
Week 7 vs. Chicago Bears
It was a modest performance from Dak Prescott in his first game back from injury. Throwing for 207 yards and one touchdown, let's hope this was just shaking off the rust and getting back into the swing of things.
Going up against a Chicago defense that allowed just 198 passing yards and one touchdown, while recording three interceptions last week, Prescott could be in some trouble if he can't get anything going. Start him as a QB1, but don't expect Prescott to be in optimal form just yet.
Week 7 vs. Detroit Lions
Set to make his first appearance since week 1, Dak Prescott should significantly elevate this offense. Not only is he a massive upgrade over Cooper Rush, but he should provide plenty of opportunities for the playmakers in this Dallas offense.
He is in a smash spot against a Detroit defense that currently ranks 26th in passing yards allowed and 22nd in passing touchdowns allowed. There is no better way to get back into the swing of things than teeing off against Detroit. Prescott is a lock to finish as a QB1 this week.
Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Finishing as the QB7 last season, Dak Prescott is a strong bet to finish as a middle-of-the-pack QB1 this season as well. While he is down a weapon with Amari Cooper going to Cleveland, there have been reports out of camp saying the team wants Prescott to use his legs a bit more. This could provide a nice floor and result in him being matchup-proof.
Facing off against a Tampa Bay defense that can susceptible to the passing game, Prescott should be a quality start this week. With an over/under set at 51 points, we could be in for a shootout. This bodes well for Prescott as he may be relied on to air it out.
2022 Fantasy Upside
Fantasy players seem to have forgotten that Dak Prescott was on pace for a historic 2020 fantasy season before breaking his ankle early in the season. Through the first four games, Prescott had posted 12 total touchdowns with an incredible 28.5 Fantasy Points Per Game. Dallas faces a much tougher strength of schedule this season, coming off a 12-5 first place finish in the NFC East. Prescott posted the fourth-most passing touchdowns (37) while only attempting the ninth-most passes. With another year of confidence in his ankle, we should see Prescott eclipse his career-low 146 rushing yards of 2021. Operating in one of the fastest paced offenses in the league, Prescott has a Top 3 fantasy quarterback solidly in his range of outcomes.
2022 Fantasy Downside
The loss of Amari Cooper certainly weakens the receiving weapons, but the emergence of running back Tony Pollard as a consistent receiving option should help offset Cooper’s production. The Cowboys wide receivers are not an elite group, unless Michael Gallup can return quickly from his torn ACL suffered in January. Gallup has already announced he won’t be ready for Week 1, placing more pressure on rookie Jalen Tolbert or free agent James Washington to produce quickly.
2022 Bottom Line
Since Kellen Moore has been offensive coordinator, the Cowboys have ranked sixth in points per game (2019), first last season, and were first overall until Prescott was injured in 2020. Even without Cooper, there are plenty of weapons on the Dallas offense, and a more competitive schedule should lead to more shootouts and a big fantasy season for the 29-year-old Prescott.
Week 17 versus Arizona Cardinals
Prescott rebounded in a big way in Week 16 in his first home game in three weeks. The Cardinals come to town Week 17 and are dealing with a myriad of injuries on both sides of the ball, which is good and bad news for Prescott. A weakened secondary helps his passing prospects against the 16th-ranked team against quarterbacks using 4for4’s schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed (aFPA) metric. A couple of missing defensive linemen also means a better running attack for Dallas. Prescott has top 10 upside but is no lock for a repeat of Week 16’s performance.
