Prescott a legit MVP candidate
No Cowboys QB has ever won the award
ARLINGTON, Texas — It’s time for a real conversation about Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
An honest, in-depth discussion few thought was possible when the season started, and even a few days ago after the Cowboys rolled through the weakest part of the schedule, is becoming a reality.
Prescott is part of the MVP race with the numbers and oddsmakers supporting it.
If you’re wondering, no Cowboys quarterback has won the AP MVP award. Only Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, has earned this award while wearing a star on his helmet.
Going into this weekend, Prescott leads the NFL in touchdown passes (26) and first-down passes (161). He’s third in passing yards (3,234) and second in completion percentage (70.1).
He’s thrown multiple touchdowns for the last six weeks, tied for the second-longest streak in franchise history. His team moved to 9-3, thanks to a 41-35 thriller of a victory over Seattle on Thursday night. The Cowboys are 6-0 at home and own a plus-168-point differential overall.
Caesars Sportsbook, Bet MGM and FanDuel Sports Book have Prescott with the second-best odds to win the award behind the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts. Caesars moved Prescott from the pack into second place after Thursday’s win.
It was just a wonderful game from Prescott at AT&T Stadium.
He went 29 of 41 for 299 yards with three touchdown passes. Did you like the TD pass to receiver CeeDee Lamb over two defenders? Prescott led an offense that scored on its first five possessions. The offense closed the game with scores on three of its final four possessions.
Of course, Prescott did this on another big stage like it’s no big deal.
“He’s playing special that’s for sure, I’m not surprised,” receiver Brandin Cooks said. “I love to see it. I just want to continue to be there and make plays for him. As we know, Dak gets a lot in the media but his ability to continue to just focus on the task at hand and tune out that noise is showing for sure.”
The critics attack Prescott professionally and personally regardless of the success.
It’s gotten to the point that if you hate on Prescott there must be something wrong with you. Prescott hears the critics daily, and maybe every second if he’s on social media, but it doesn’t bother him too much.
“I understand that no one’s opinion defines me and that is the great part about life,” he said. “That’s the great opportunity that we have, that people can say whatever they want. I have the pen, I have the paper, and I am the one writing. Because I am playing as well as I am now, it doesn’t mean I am going to stop or listen to them now. I appreciate them, but I don’t care about their opinions right now anymore than I did when they were calling for my spot. As I said, I am blessed, this last year has been a reflection of that.”
On Dec. 10, Hurts and the Eagles come to town in a game that could decide a lot. Or at least for the moment. It’s another steel cage match against a title contender. And let’s be honest, we do know the history of playoff failures about this generation of Cowboys, but it’s probably time to consider them title contenders. Yes, with the Eagles and 49ers. Since we’re being honest with ourselves, the Cowboys are winless against the Eagles and 49ers this season. The losses to the 49ers, three in a row, are more of a matchup thing. Styles make fights and the Cowboys’ style doesn’t fit with the 49ers’.
You can’t dismiss the narrative the 49ers are better. The Eagles? The Eagles won the first meeting, 28-23. A 14-point third-quarter burst by the Eagles decided the game. Dallas’ fourth-quarter comeback from Prescott faltered late. Are things different now? Look at the numbers with Prescott and the offense. He’s playing at an elite level and there’s time in the last month of the season. Dallas can not only win the NFC East, but it gives you hope a deep playoff run is possible. Prescott must do his part. He beat a talented Seattle team Thursday night, marking the second time this season the Cowboys beat a team with a winning record, though the narrative says this is the first time it’s happened. We forget the Jets were 1-0 when the Cowboys beat them in Week 2.
As we get to the final trimester of the season, Prescott is playing his you-know-what off and his play shouldn’t lead you to believe he’ll be a detriment.
“Let them keep talking,” Cooks said. “He will continue to play with that chip on his shoulder.”