Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football promo for Dak Prescott set off a wave of online backlash after the graphic was interpreted by some social media users as something far darker than a standard team poster.
The image was meant to highlight Dallas culture by putting Prescott in a pose inspired by Big Tex, the 55-foot marketing icon of the State Fair of Texas. But once the poster hit social media, users fixated on his wide-arm, open-palm stance and began comparing it to Baphomet, the occult figure some critics linked to sinister rituals.
That set off a flood of conspiracy chatter online. One person wrote, “The NFL and Amazon made a poster of Dak Prescott as a puppet representing Baphomet.
Do you see who is pulling the strings now? 😈,” while others pushed the idea that the design carried hidden meaning.
The backlash didn’t stop there. Some angry sports fans also tied the poster to sports-betting theories, claiming the artwork was a coded message aimed at sportsbooks or game outcomes.
One post argued, “Dak Prescott pointing at 𝟭𝟭 & 𝟯 with his arms, the wheel of fortune in the background simulating a clock, while a Texas emblem with the number 33 can be seen. 𝟭𝟭x𝟯 = 𝟯𝟯. Dak Prescott can fall to 𝟯-𝟯 in the series vs.
Buccaneers in his career*, another post said.
On the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Prescott’s night was a mixed bag. He piled up a lot of passing yards, but he also committed three costly turnovers that helped fuel the loss.
In Other News...
Todd Bowles Had A Sideline Scare During Bucs' First Win
The Buccaneers first win of the season came with a brief sideline scare for Todd Bowles, who was caught up in the kind of post-play celebration that can get chaotic in a hurry. Late in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys, Tampa Bay was erupting after an interception and a run by Buccaneers players when Bowles took a shot in the stomach from a helmet, turning a moment of relief into a few tense seconds on the sideline.
Bowles was seen grimacing and dropping to one knee before being reported as okay shortly after, which allowed the focus to shift back to a much-needed victory. The incident was part of the emotional release that followed the play, though reports did not identify which player made the celebratory contact. [Read more 🡒]
Dak Prescott's Postgame Frustration Has Cowboys Fans Debating This Team
The Cowboys left Thursday night with another loss, and the postgame mood around AT&T Stadium turned testy almost immediately. Dallas dropped to 2-3 after falling to the Buccaneers, and what should have been a straightforward reaction to a rough defeat quickly shifted when Dak Prescott took issue with a stadium workers comment about the result being embarrassing.
Prescott made clear he can live with blunt criticism, but he was bothered by the way the exchange unfolded after he noticed the comment. For Tampa Bay, it was the kind of road win that does more than add to the standings, because it also leaves the opponent sorting through frustration, accountability and a little bit of drama long after the final whistle. [Read more 🡒]
Todd Bowles Sideline Scare Added Tension To A Much-Needed Bucs Win
The Buccaneers finally got the result they needed, beating the Cowboys 24-16 for their first win of the season behind rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels. It was a much-needed lift for a team that had spent the first month looking for something to stabilize around, and getting to 1-4 at least gives Tampa Bay a little breathing room heading into next weeks matchup with the Steelers.
The win came with a brief scare on the sideline when Todd Bowles was seen down on one knee and appeared to be dealing with discomfort before getting back up and saying he would be okay. For a team already trying to find its footing, even a moment like that can add tension to an afternoon that should have been about relief, and it only underscored how much the Bucs needed a cleaner, calmer path to their first victory. [Read more 🡒]