Dak Prescott has dealt with adversity before on the field and in life

Following the worst game of his NFL career, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was left alone at AT&T Stadium. His brother normally waits for him after the game and rides home with him.

But he didn’t come to the game Sunday, leaving Prescott to make the lonely drive from Arlington to Frisco all alone.

But as bad as things seemed, it wasn’t the worst moment of his football life.

That occurred in 2013 when he matched the three inceptions and one fumble he had in last Sunday’s 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia with the same stats in a four-turnover meltdown against South Carolina while in college at Mississippi State.

He walked into the coach’s office the next day ready to go over the film and was told that his mother had passed away to cancer.

He missed practice to attend the funeral, returned for the Texas A&M game and then got hurt in the second half, causing him to miss two more games in what was the worst month of his life.

But those life lessons made him stronger and got him to where he is today.

And although he might again have a bad day on the football field, he said he is using the lessons from Sunday’s meltdown against the Eagles to fuel his fire for Thursday’s quick turnaround game against the Los Angeles Chargers (4-6).

The Cowboys (5-5) aren’t necessarily in desperation mode, but they are in playoff mode, and they understand the urgency of the situation, following two blowout losses, if they hope to turn things around and stay in postseason contention.

The players have had their own internal talks, led by tight end Jason Witten, who spoke to the offense. Coach Jason Garrett has let them know they can win out or lose out. It’s on them and time for them to show their character.

Prescott said it’s his job to play better, but also remain the steady leader.

“It’s huge. For me it’s just about being the same whether it’s winning or losing, it’s about being the same and never wavering, never showing lack of confidence in myself and my teammates,” Prescott said.

“It’s about just being there for them, keeping them going and having all the confidence that we’ll go 11-5 moving forward.”

Prescott promises to be better going forward because he is going to play smarter in the passing game and cut it loose more as runner.

He can point to instances against the Eagles in which those things possibly could have made a difference for an offense that has had just one touchdown the past two weeks.