EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Patience is not one of the most coveted traits when folks talk about a quarterback.

It’s about arm strength and mobility. It’s about leadership and poise. It’s about manipulating a defense and accuracy.

In the Dallas Cowboys’ 30-10 win over the New York Giants, which was not as lopsided as the final score suggests, Dak Prescott’s best trait Sunday was his patience.

“It’s easier to say you are going to be patient, but as a quarterback and young guy, you can lose your nerve,” offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. “He never did. He never does really. That is one of his best traits. He stays with the game plan.”

In the second half, as the Cowboys remained tied at 10 with a 2-10 Giants team that had zero to play for and little life, it would have been easy for Prescott to feel the pressure to make a play.

The Cowboys’ first possession in the third quarter ended with a three-and-out. Their second ended on Dan Bailey’s second missed field goal attempt of the game. Their third was another three-and-out when Prescott scrambled back and forth across the field to fall a yard short on third-and-5. The fourth drive ended in another punt.

“He kept playing through some situations when we had to punt the ball because we weren’t able to convert a couple of third downs,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He just kept his poise, threw the ball underneath when he needed to, made some plays, and when the time came and they heated us up and there was a chance to make a play down the field, he cashed in on it.”

On third-and-2 from the Cowboys’ 26, the Giants brought pressure and Prescott found Cole Beasley for a season-high 54-yard gain by the slot receiver. In fact, Beasley had not had 54 yards receiving in a game in 2016. But the short throw was turned into a big gain when Beasley shook free of safety Landon Collins.

On the next play, Prescott fired a dart to tight end Jason Witten down the seam for a 20-yard touchdown to give the Cowboys a 17-10 lead with 7:38 to play.

On the next drive, the Cowboys faced third-and-3 from their 19. After Rod Smith motioned to the slot for an empty backfield, Prescott threw an inside slant to the running back for an 81-yard touchdown.

“For me it’s staying within my plan, staying within my read,” Prescott said. “That’s the biggest takeaway I take from the game. Doing that, getting the ball out. Even though they’re short routes, having the confidence and getting that guy a good throw, a throw where he can shake his man and go make a play. Just staying within the offense, and whenever a guy gets the ball, watch him go do what he does.”

Prescott completed 20 of 30 passes for a career-high 332 yards. Forty-one yards of Dez Bryant’s 50-yard touchdown reception came after the catch. Seventy-four yards of Smith's TD reception came after the catch.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Prescott had 223 of his 332 passing yards after the catch. That’s the most in a game over the past five seasons since the Denver Broncos had 243 in Week 5 of the 2013 season.

“He stayed ahead of it,” Witten said. “It’s hard when there isn’t a whole lot there, and you’re trying to make some plays and we weren’t able to. But as a young player to not panic and just stay with it, he did a really good job of communicating all day, and finally when the breaks come, he took advantage of it.”

Prescott hadn't thrown for more than 200 yards in four straight games entering Sunday's game. The Cowboys had four pass plays of 20 yards or longer in the past four games. Their pass game was stagnant. But against the Giants, they matched their season high with four pass plays of 20 yards or more.

On Sunday, little plays became big plays.

“Big plays come when playmakers make big plays,” Linehan said. “And Dak being patient was big.”

Questions have swirled around Prescott since Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension took effect. On Sunday, he had the answers mostly because of his patience.

“To me, just my focus and just staying locked in on each and every play and the details of the play,” Prescott said. “The things you don’t see, honestly, was what I’ll take away from this game that I think I did best.”