I have heard the Dak stat padding argument for years. It is one of the laziest conversations around the Dallas Cowboys.
If you want to criticize Dak Prescott, there is plenty to bring up. The playoff record, turnovers in big moments, the Cowboys coming up short when expectations are the highest.
Those are all things that usually get put on a quarterback and Dak isn’t getting away from them.
Calling Dak a stat-padder is crazy.
I think most of you have watched enough football to know what stat-padding looks like. A quarterback down three scores throwing underneath routes against a defense protecting the sideline is stat padding.
Dak Prescott:
No NFC title game appearances
No rings
No MVPs
No iconic momentsJust pure stat padding pic.twitter.com/s77A2BhzOL
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) November 23, 2025
A quarterback collecting easy completions after the outcome has already been decided is stat-padding. Unless it’s against the Eagles, if it is run that score up.
Dak didn’t do that last season.
On throws of 10 or more yards downfield, Prescott threw for 2,371 yards, 15 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 114.9 passer rating.
Those are throws that require anticipation, timing, ball placement, and the willingness to attack a defense past the sticks.
The easiest way I can think of to dismiss a quarterback’s production is to claim it all came on screens and checkdowns.
The problem with that is Dak’s numbers don’t support the argument.
On throws between 10 and 19 yards, Prescott completed 72-118 passes for 1,221 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. He posted a passer rating north of 117 in that area of the field.
Those aren’t easy throws.
We know those throws are over linebackers and in front of safeties. Those are throws where quarterbacks trust what they see and let it rip.
When people say Dak only puts up numbers when it doesn’t matter, these are the numbers they usually ignore.
The deep passing numbers were just as impressive.
On throws of 20 or more yards downfield, Prescott completed 33 passes for 1,150 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions while posting a 111.2 passer rating.
For years, it felt like one of the biggest complaints on him was that he is too conservative. The 2025 numbers show a different story.
He was pushing the ball down the field and producing when he did it. Were there mistakes? Of course. There always are when a quarterback takes chances downfield.
A quarterback who is padding stats is not usually generating over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns on deep throws.
The stat that jumped off the page for me was what Dak did off the play action. We all know Dak is good off the play action, but did you know he is one of the best in the NFL?
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