Dak Prescott Has Dallas Cowboys History in His Own Hands

While you play for a franchise just like the Dallas Cowboys, there is a burden of historical past in your again. America’s Workforce did not begin taking the sphere yesterday; there is a line of NFL champions and gridiron greats who’ve set the usual since 1960.

Quarterback Dak Prescott, nevertheless, has an opportunity to tread on new floor in 2023.

Because the season has progressed, the signal-caller has performed his method into the MVP dialog. Even in case you do not suppose he is the favourite, Prescott is definitely assembling a reliable case for the crown.

And past private delight (and the opportunity of an offseason increase), Prescott may also make franchise historical past if he reaches the highest of the regular-season heap.

Let’s break it down.

No Cowboys QB Has Gained NFL MVP

Whereas playoff success has been arduous to come back by in recent times, the Cowboys’ franchise historical past boasts loads of legendary names, together with a number of big-time quarterbacks. None received NFL MVP honors.

Sure, you learn that accurately.

Roger Staubach, who has a Heisman Trophy and two Tremendous Bowl titles to his title, did not declare the crown. He earned Tremendous Bowl MVP honors however fell in need of the regular-season title.

The identical could be stated for Troy Aikman and his three championships. He took dwelling the Tremendous Bowl MVP title in January 1993 however by no means received the comparable regular-season crown. Maybe the general expertise of the Cowboys’ roster saved voters from pondering that he was probably the most useful participant. (Don’t fret, we’ll get to Emmitt Smith shortly.)

And whereas Tony Romo lacks the postseason success of his predecessors, he had a declare for the MVP crown through the 2014 marketing campaign when he threw for greater than 3,700 yards and 34 touchdowns. He completed fourth within the remaining poll, although, dropping out to Aaron Rodgers and ending behind J.J. Watt and DeMarco Murray.

The one Cowboy to say regular-season MVP honors was Smith. The working again earned the highest spot in 1993 on the again of a 1,486-rushing-yard, nine-rushing-touchdown marketing campaign.

Prescott Controls His Personal Path to Historical past

Now, let’s bounce again to the current and give attention to Prescott. Whereas no Cowboys quarterback has been capable of earn regular-season MVP honors, Dak will largely management his destiny from right here on out.

After an iffy begin to the season, the quarterback obtained on a roll. That success might have been written off by a weak energy of schedule (he confronted the Chargers, Rams, Giants, Panthers and Commanders throughout that stretch), however then issues modified. Dallas confronted two more durable opponents (the Seahawks and the Eagles). And moderately than lacking a beat, issues simply saved rolling.

In these two wins, Prescott posted a mixed 570 passing yards and 5 touchdowns; he now sits at 3,505 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns by way of 13 appearances. The victory over the Eagles was particularly vital, because it pushed Dallas forward of their rivals within the race for the NFC East crown.

On a private degree, the efficiency additionally gave the QB an edge over Brock Purdy within the MVP race. In response to Covers.com, Draftkings, FanDuel and Ceasars all listing Dak as the present favourite.

And that actuality, mixed with the remaining schedule, means Prescott holds historical past in his personal palms. If he can carry out towards the Payments, Dolphins and Lions (plus the season finale towards the Commanders) to clinch a divisional crown, nobody can query his credentials. A loss, nevertheless, would put the ball in Purdy’s court docket (or Lamar Jackson’s if the 49ers additionally falter).

Is {that a} daunting activity? In fact. Successful a single NFL recreation is hard; beating two reliable playoff groups and one gifted bubble staff combating for postseason posession is a real problem. However, when the chips are down, it is at all times higher to manage your individual future than need to depend on exterior assist.

And who is aware of, possibly the added carrot of constructing Cowboys historical past will give Prescott the additional juice required to make it over the hump.