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Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott impresses as Tony Romo's understudy

By Art Garcia, The Sports Xchange
Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Dak Prescott looks to throw against the Chicago Bears during the first half at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on September 25, 2016. Ian Halperin/UPI
Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Dak Prescott looks to throw against the Chicago Bears during the first half at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on September 25, 2016. Ian Halperin/UPI | License Photo

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Dak Prescott doesn't look like a rookie.

As far as the Dallas Cowboys are concerned, their quarterback looks like winner.

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Prescott is playing with a maturity beyond his years while leading the Cowboys to a 2-1 start. Dallas dominated the Chicago Bears 31-17 Sunday night at AT&T Stadium.

The 23-year-old fourth-round pick from Mississippi State was the picture of control against the Bears (0-3). Prescott was deadly accurate, completing 19 of 24 attempts for 248 yards and a touchdown.

"I credit my coaches just for preparing me for the game, each and every situation I'm going to face," said Prescott, who played in front of his college coach, Dan Mullen. "I let the playmakers ... go make plays and make my job go a little bit smoother."

Prescott hasn't thrown an interception in 99 attempts this season, extending his NFL record for the start of a career.

"He plays with such poise and composure, and he focuses on himself and executing ball plays," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "He's done that all along. He certainly did that tonight."

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He led the Cowboys on four scoring drives in the first half, three ending with touchdowns for a 24-3 lead at the break. Prescott got into the end zone himself with a 1-yard keeper to cap Dallas' first possession.

Unlike the Week 1 loss to the New York Giants, when Prescott locked in repeatedly on wide receiver Cole Beasley and tight end Jason Witten, the ball was spread around the field.

Prescott claps after a frist down against the Bears on September 25, 2016. Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI
Prescott targeted eight different receivers, and six had receptions. Beasley caught seven balls, Terrance Williams pulled in a season-high four, and Dez Bryant had his first touchdown reception of the year, a 17-yarder in the fourth quarter.

It was also the first touchdown pass for Prescott.

"It felt great," the quarterback said. "I had a couple of close moments there earlier in the game, and to get Dez in there took a lot of attempts, but it happened. It was good."

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Prescott is only keeping the seat warm until Tony Romo returns from a back injury sustained in the preseason. While the rookie has been impressive, Dallas officials, including team owner Jerry Jones and Garrett, have said the starting job belongs to Romo when he is ready.

Prescott has said the same. In the meantime, he will keep doing his job.

"I expect to be here. I have high expectations for myself," he said. "I really want to get better and better."

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