On January 16, 2023, the Dallas Cowboys ended their 30-year road playoff drought with a dominant 31-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ franchise quarterback, gave a commanding performance completing 25 out of 33 passes for 305 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. This win marked the Cowboys first road playoff victory since the 1992 NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park, a game that highlighted their Super Bowl-winning season.
Prescott joined a small group of elite players who have achieved the remarkable feat of throwing for four-plus passing touchdowns and rushing for at least one touchdown in a playoff game; the last to do so being Matt Ryan in 2016, preceded by Aaron Rodgers (2009) and Peyton Manning (2004).
Prescott surpassed Cowboys legends Troy Aikman (Super Bowl XXVII) and Roger Staubach (1975 NFC Championship) on Monday when he scored his fifth total touchdown, setting the franchise record for most touchdowns in a playoff game. The victory also saw Prescott extend his own record streak to four consecutive playoff games with both a passing and rushing touchdown, a feat not accomplished by any other NFL quarterback since the league’s merger. On top of that, Prescott has racked up four career rushing touchdowns in the playoffs – more than any other Cowboys QB in the history of the franchise. The Cowboys’ record in the postseason stands at 2-3 since Prescott assumed the role of starting quarterback in 2016.
Prescott’s remarkable performance in the Cowboys’ most consequential game of the season has offered Dallas hope that they can reach the NFC Championship for the first time in over 25 years. His display has set them on the path to potentially making a historical achievement that would not have been attainable without him.