Trevor Lawrence's masterful game contrasted Dak Prescott's and led Jacksonville (6-8) to a 40-34 overtime upset over the Cowboys (10-4).
Lawrence surprised the Dallas pass defense, which ranked second through 13 games, only allowing 182.4 yards per contest. He threw four touchdowns, finishing 27-of-42 with 318 passing yards.
How about two on the day for @zayjones11?!#DALvsJAX on FOX/NFL+ pic.twitter.com/KttO52utbr
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 18, 2022
Another reason Lawrence stood out was his ability to overcome difficult circumstances and prompt a comeback.
Jacksonville trailed 27-10 in the third quarter, but he threw three touchdown passes to Zay Jones, zapping the Cowboys' lead and eventually forcing overtime.
Per ESPN's Ed Werder, the Cowboys won 39 straight games when leading by 17 points. So a second-year quarterback snapping the streak proves he's a rising star.
The #Cowboys suffered a historic defeat in Green Bay when they blew a 14-point lead entering the fourth quarter for the first time ever. This streak on the line today: Cowboys have won 39 straight including playoffs when leading by at least 17 points.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) December 18, 2022
On the flip side, Prescott continued to throw costly interceptions, which raises concerns.
Prescott threw an interception on second-and-18 deep in Dallas' territory when the Cowboys led 27-17 during the third quarter. The Jaguars capitalized and scored a touchdown.
Pressure leads to picks!#DALvsJAX on FOX/NFL+ pic.twitter.com/YtkowtOnWs
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 18, 2022
If Prescott didn't throw the pick, it could've changed the game's tenor, allowing the Cowboys to control the clock and dispel Lawerence's efforts.
Additionally, Prescott tossed Rayshawn Jenkins' walk-off pick-six in overtime. However, that wasn't entirely his fault since Noah Brown deflected it.
Jenkz called game!#DALvsJAX | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/N3LNecTFII
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 18, 2022
Regardless, the turnovers illuminate an alarming Prescott trend. In nine starts, he threw 11 interceptions, two away from tying a career-high—13 in 2017.
Prescott needs to get control of the turnovers, or the dangerous game will keep biting the Cowboys, especially against young, dynamic quarterbacks like Lawrence.
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