Week 7 at Washington Redskins
Dak Prescott was very efficient in the Cowboys upset over Jacksonville. He completed 63 percent of his passes which is just above his season average. Prescott threw for only 183 yards but did throw two touchdown passes and zero INTs. Not turning the ball over was key in this game for him.
Now, the Cowboys play division rival Washington who is seventh in aFPA to quarterbacks. It was a good game last week from a team standpoint for Prescott, but you can expect about the same type of numbers this Sunday against the 'Skins. Prescott rates a low-end QB2 at best.
Week 6 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Dak Prescott struggled at times against Houston on Sunday. He did complete 62% of his passes, but threw 2 INTs in the loss. Prescott has not thrown for a lot of yardage and only five touchdowns in five games.
It won't get any easier this week as Prescott faces the Jaguars defense who are 3rd in aFPA to quarterbacks. Jacksonville's defensive backs have been hard on opposing quarterbacks so expectations are low for Prescott. Keep him on the bench for Week 6. He has been a player who has not even ranked QB2 most weeks.
Week 5 at Houston Texans
Dak Prescott hasn't been very fantasy relevant in 2018 but he did have a good game in the Cowboys win against the Lions. He threw for 255 yards which was the first time he eclipsed the 200 yard mark this season. He also threw his first multi-touchdown game of the season. So, baby steps for Prescott heading into a matchup with cross-state rival Houston.
The Texans are 28th in aFPA to quarterbacks, but even with a positive matchup, we need to see more progress and consistency from Prescott to consider him a fantasy option. He should still remain on the waiver wire for Week 5.
Week 4 vs. Detroit Lions
Dak Prescott had his worst game of the season. He didn't get any help from his offensive line as he was sacked five times. He also threw his lowest completion percentage of the season and first two interceptions. Prescott has been held to under 200 passing yards in all three games.
The Cowboys face a Lions defense ranked 14th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Not that that will help him this week. He has really regressed since his rookie season and is not getting any help from an offense with very few weapons. Keep Prescott on the bench for Week 4 and he should still be on the waiver wire in most leagues.
Week 3 at Seattle Seahawks
It has been a slow fantasy start for Dak Prescott. The Cowboys offense has struggled which isn't a big surprise considering they are waiting for more offensive weapons to step up besides RB Ezekiel Elliot. Prescott through two weeks has averaged 165 passing yards and has thrown only 1 touchdown. The good news is he has completed 65% of his passes and has not thrown an interception. Last week, he added 45 rushing yards to his totals.
Prescott will face a Seattle defense that is 7th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Most fantasy experts predicted Prescott's numbers to fall this season and so far, they have been right. We don't expect that to change Sunday. Keep Prescott on the bench if he is even on your roster at all.
Week 2 vs. New York Giants
Dak Prescott's 2018 debut was rather drab. He completed 65% of his passes but for only 170 yards and zero touchdowns. He only ran for 19 yards and fumbled. Prescott wasn't highly rated for drafts and these numbers justify it after one week.
Prescott will face a so-so Giants pass defense. He is 2-2 against New York in his career averaging 248 yards per game and throwing 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He still needs some of his receivers to step up as they were not getting open last weekend.
There won't be many games where Prescott is fantasy relevant and that is the case in Week 2. Keep him on the bench against the Giants as a low-end QB2.
Week 1 at Carolina
No doubt Dak Prescott is not getting any preseason love. Most people are siding the numbers he put up in 2017 and thinking he will never get back to his 2016 form. One major issues is his receiving corp. No true No. 1 and who will be reliable for Prescott in the Cowboys offense. The funny part is his numbers with the exception of interceptions weren't down that much.
The Cowboys play the Panthers who were average against quarterbacks in 2017. So, the neutral matchup could give Prescott an opportunity. But count us sold as it will be worse for him this season as the Cowboys struggle.
Keep Prescott on the bench as a backup and maybe he surprises everyone and can help you down the road.
Fantasy Upside
Although his stats weren't dramatically different last season from his breakout rookie season, Dak Prescott was not as impressive in his sophomore campaign. But don't forget he will have Ezekiel Elliott for a full season (Elliott was suspended last season for six games). There is little doubt Prescott has ability and the Cowboys believe in him. His believers think he will get better with maturity and that is definitely a good possibility. He does still have the ability to run the football which adds to his fantasy value.
Fantasy Downside
The interceptions went from four to an alarming 13. His completion percentage also dropped. Another concern surrounding Prescott is the uncertainty of his pass-catchers. Dez Bryant and Jason Witten are gone, leaving the signal-caller with inexperience at the position and no true No. 1 receiver. Another issue is the offensive line. After being the best unit in 2016, it took a step back in 2017.
2018 Bottom Line
Prescott has a lot of obstacles in front of him, but he is talented and will have Elliott back for an entire season. But Prescott's accuracy is an issue going into his third season. His ADP is 117 and that is probably a little high. Remember, fantasy owners get excited by the star on the side of the helmet and Prescott is basically a low-end QB2 entering the season. He might be worth the risk as your backup if everyone passes on him.
Week 17 at Philadelphia Eagles
With a playoff berth on the line, Dak Prescott did not have a good showing last week against Seattle. He threw for only 181 yards and two interceptions. With the Cowboys out of the playoffs, Prescott is expected to start anyway against Eagles.
Philadelphia is ranked 6th in aFPA to quarterbacks, but should be resting some starters as the game is played. But Prescott has not played very well the last two weeks and we don't expect much for Week 17. Keep him on the bench as a high-end QB2 on Sunday
Week 16 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Dak Prescott is coming off a tough outing against Oakland, throwing 2 interceptions and 0 touchdowns. He did score a rushing touchdown and the Cowboys won to keep their playoff hopes alive. His offensive line has struggled in recent weeks and that was evident last Sunday night when tackle Tyron Smith was injured. Dallas will get RB Ezekiel Elliott back for the game and that should help.
Prescott faces Seattle who is 15th in aFPA to quarterbacks. We expect the Cowboys offense to be energized with the return of Elliot and that should help Prescott. Start him in Week 16 as a solid QB1 against the Seahawks.
