Dak Prescott is on an unenviable streak heading into the Cowboys' wild-card meeting with the Buccaneers on Monday night.
The seventh-year signal-caller has thrown an unusual number of interceptions this year, not only leading the NFL but also registering a career high. The picks have been particularly notable over the back half of the season; Prescott has thrown at least one interception in seven consecutive games.
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That's not the kind of streak any team would want to be taking into the playoffs, especially against a Tom Brady-led team and doubly so considering the Cowboys' recent history of playoff woes. If Dallas wants to improve on its 1-3 postseason record under Prescott, it will need him to improve his turnover issues.
The Sporting News looks at Prescott's unusually high number of interceptions this season:
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How many interceptions does Dak Prescott have?
Prescott threw 15 interceptions in the regular season, tying the Texans' Davis Mills for the most in the NFL. That number is made even worse by the fact Prescott played in only 12 games this season; he missed five games, from Weeks 2 through 6, with a fractured thumb.
The only other quarterback who had more interceptions than games played in 2022 was Matt Ryan, who threw 13 interceptions in 12 games. The Colts finished 4-12-1 and are picking fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
At least Prescott has company in the category: 14 quarterbacks, Prescott included, threw double-digit interceptions this season, including fellow playoff QBs Justin Herbert (10), Geno Smith (11), Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes (12 apiece) and Josh Allen and Kirk Cousins (14 apiece).
But Prescott had the fewest touchdowns among those quarterbacks with 23. Herbert had the next-fewest with 25. It's also worth noting again that Prescott missed five games.
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Dak Prescott interception streak
Prescott's interception issues persisted over the back half of the regular season as he threw at least one pick in each of the final seven games. But that is only part of the problem; he threw multiple interceptions in multiple games during the streak.
| Week | Opponent | Outcome | INTs (Pick-6s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Giants | W, 28-20 | 2 |
| 13 | Colts | W, 54-19 | 1 |
| 14 | Texans | W, 27-23 | 2 |
| 15 | Jaguars | L, 40-34 | 2 (1) |
| 16 | Eagles | W, 40-34 | 1 (1) |
| 17 | Titans | W, 27-13 | 2 |
| 18 | Commanders | L, 26-6 | 1 (1) |
Another issue is that three of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns. The pick-sixes came in three of Dallas' last four games, with the Cowboys losing two of those contests. The win came in Week 16 over the Eagles, who were without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.
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For those curious, Prescott's seven-game streak with at least one interception thrown is tied for sixth in Cowboys franchise history, behind Troy Aikman (12 games), Craig Morton (10), Vinny Testaverde and Tony Romo (nine apiece) and Danny White (eight).
Prescott is also nowhere near the NFL record for consecutive games throwing an interception: That mark belongs to Joe Namath, who achieved that unenviable feat across four seasons — and nearly four calendar years — from 1970 through 1973 with the Jets. The record for most consecutive games with an interception in a single season is 14, by the Colts' Bert Jones in 1981.
While Prescott is in no danger yet of passing those QBs, Dallas doubtless wants him to avoid more picks vs. Tampa Bay.