“I still believe in Duck,” Aikman said at an event honoring Dallas' recognition as the No. 1 Sports and Business City by Sports Business Journal. “I feel like there's always going to be criticism until you do it. I heard that Peyton Manning didn't win the playoffs in his first three years, but looking back now, I can't imagine anyone questioning it.” The question is whether they can win a playoff game. ”
Prescott and the Cowboys have won the NFC East in two of the past three seasons, going 36-15 in the regular season and 1-2 in the tournament after that.
Their loss to the Green Bay Packers was as demoralizing as you can see, and the blame was distributed almost evenly across offense, defense, special teams, and coaching, producing a season of MVP front-runners. Questions have arisen as to whether Prescott was really that way. Before the wheels fall off the offense in January, it could end a Super Bowl drought dating back to the days when Aikman was in the driver's seat.
“I know we all draw on past experiences,” Aikman said. “When you don't have a great experience, it's hard to get over it. I think that's the challenge for Dak. The problem for him, and really for the team, is not so much what happens in the regular season. It's important how we play once we get into the postseason, and if we do well, it will be a long year.
“And as far as expectations go, I've been there too. … The Cowboys have been through that early in their franchise history, so the pressure is definitely up this offseason and heading into next season.” It makes it harder to come back and try again. ”
There lies an even more troubling problem. That's because Prescott isn't getting any younger, head coach Mike McCarthy's tenure has not yet been extended, and the reality is that the NFL is a war of attrition, which means roster turnover is high. On an annual basis, this will be a further challenge to our final goal.
“It's difficult to maintain a position in this league.” [proverbial window] Open it up,” Aikman added.
he's not wrong. The onus is on everyone involved to right the ship next season, but not just between September and December. In 2024 because that is already expected and that means it is not the standard by which success or failure will be measured.
A playoff run is a certainty, and nothing else, but it will silence Prescott and the Cowboys' critics.
