Dak Prescott sends must-win message to Cowboys ahead of Commanders game

On paper, a Week 2 game of any NFL season is technically not a "must-win" contest for an 0-1 team.

Don't tell that to quarterback Dak Prescott following the Dallas Cowboys' 28-20 loss to the rival New York Giants on Sept. 13. 

Dak Prescott: "We've got to go win" this Sunday

"There's definitely must-wins in this league," Prescott said about Dallas' Week 2 home game against the 0-1 Washington Commanders while speaking with reporters on Thursday, per Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' website. "I know you don't want to say it, and at the end of the day, if it didn't happen, there's still time. There's a lot of opportunity. But just from a team, this team, all the changes, all the excitement, yeah, we've got to go win. What a great opportunity to do it against a division opponent that we know pretty well."

While the Dallas defense has been widely criticized by analysts and Cowboys fans following the Giants game, Prescott and Co. aren't blameless for what occurred at MetLife Stadium. Prescott tossed a brutal interception when the game was tied at 7-7 late in the first half, and other offensive players made avoidable mistakes that cost Dallas in a big way. 

Dak Prescott knows what Cowboys' offense must do against Commanders

Additionally, the Cowboys were held to just seven points against the Giants until running back Javonte Williams found the end zone with 37 seconds left to play in the third quarter. In total, Dallas had only two offensive possessions after the halftime break.

"We're looking forward, feel great about our game plan," Prescott added during his comments. "We've got to start fast. Looking back at last week, especially on our offensive side. We start fast, that's a different game. It's about starting fast, being our best version just through the discipline, through the little things and allowing our playmakers to take over."

Also on Thursday, Prescott challenged Dallas fans to "turn that energy and come to the game this Sunday and be as loud as you can." As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Cowboys as 3.5-point home favorites over the Commanders. 

"Just to stick to it," Prescott said about his approach to the Commanders game after the loss to the Giants. "A lot of times, people panic. A lot of times people want to change everything. For me it's about doubling down. I know our approach, I know the coaches and everything that we did in that game plan was right. We just didn't get it done in a tough NFL game, in a one-possession game, and still had opportunities."