Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott facing legacy-molding moment of truth vs. Tampa Bay

The Dak Prescott story is far from complete.

But in Year Seven, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback is closer to the end than he is to the beginning.

That is, unless we compare him to the timeline of Tom Brady, whose career arc is akin to Buzz Lightyear: to infinity and beyond. But that’s the stuff of comic book characters or seven-time super bowl champion Super Bowl heroes.

Prescott’s heartwarming underdog story is on the brink of turning into a Greek tragedy.

Prescott can take a step toward changing the plot to a possible heroic ending in Monday’s NFC wildcard game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by winning the game and defeat Brady.

After easily the most frustrating season of his career, the time is now for Prescott to mold his legacy or let it be shaped for him.

“I’ve just got to go win the game, do everything I can and leave no doubt in my preparation to make sure I’m putting this team in the best chance to do that,’’ Prescott said. “We’re all judged off of wins and wins in the playoffs. These matter. I know that. “So, it’s not necessarily that it’s pressure, but you’ve got to love playing in these moments. You’ve got to love being in games like this. And if you don’t, this league, this sport, this isn’t the place for you. And so, for me it’s about embracing the moment.”

While Prescott has the Cowboys in playoffs with a 12-5 record for second straight season, becoming the first Cowboys quarterback to do so since Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl Champion Troy Aikman, he is also coming off a season in which tied for the NFL lead with career-high 15 interceptions, including a streak of seven straight games with a pick to end the season as well as three games with a Pick-6.

The playoffs are where legacies are forged and legends like Brady are born.

Prescott is already on track to break all the team’s passing records.

He could finish with a star-crossed career with a bunch of hollow stats like current Cowboys passing leader Tony Romo or live up to the legendary shadows of Aikman and Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl champion Roger Staubach.

There is no in between as the Cowboys quarterback.

“I want to win the championships and win the titles and everything that they did and all the games, put this team in that position,’’ said Prescott, who has a 1-3 record in three previous trips to the playoffs. “But I can’t say that’s at the forefront of my mind as I’m thinking about what those guys have done, what the great quarterbacks here have done before me. I can’t necessarily…“It’s about focusing on the now and knowing what I can do, what I’m capable of doing and the opportunity this team has in front of them.’’

The moment on Monday comes after a season in which Prescott changed his own narrative.

Ever since he took over for Romo as an unknown fourth-round pick in 2016, fashioning one of finest rookie seasons in NFL history, he was known as a quarterback who played mistake-free football.

So to throw 15 interceptions in just 12 games and have at least one pick in 10 games while ending the season with the dubious 7-game streak, is uncharacteristic.

That doesn’t even include arguably the worst performance of his career in the season-ending loss to the Commanders.

“When something is uncharacteristic it’s about getting back and doing the things that you know who you are,” Prescott said. “And that’s the study and that’s the preparation. That’s making sure I’m doing everything I need to mentally to leave no doubt and respond the right way.”

“I’ve got the opportunity to respond. that’s all we can be thankful for; is to have that opportunity to respond.”

The Cowboys certainly believe in him.

They also know that he gives their best chance to win against the Buccaneers.

And they have concerns about his late-season interceptions or his poor play against the Commanders.

“I expect Dak’s best,’’ running back Ezekiel Elliott said. “That’s just the type of player Dak is, that’s the type of work he puts in.

“I mean, I look forward to seeing him play his best football.’’Said receiver Michael Gallup: “He’s going to come out here and do what he always does. Never lose faith in 4.’’

For the last two seasons, the Cowboys have rebounded from a loss with a victory. They have not lost two straight since 2020 when Prescott missed the final 11 games with a fractured ankle.

This season, the Cowboys have responded resoundingly. The opening-season loss to the Buccaneers was followed by four straight wins, the loss to the Eagles was followed by two wins, the loss the Packers was followed by four straight wins, the loss the Jaguars followed by two wins.

“I think as a team we respond and definitely as a quarterback and the leader and the face, he’s definitely built that way,” coach Mike McCarthy said. I haven’t even thought about it. I have zero concern about him.’’

If the Cowboys continue the pattern following the Washington loss and win four straight they will be Super Bowl champions for the first time since 1995.

And Prescott’s legacy would be defined.

If.