Just when the Cowboys were being taken out of the “contending teams” conversation by many fans around the country, they are becoming one of the best teams in the NFL. They're 3-0 since their bye week and are coming off of a quality win against the Kansas City Chiefs.
This team is real, people. Although doubts inevitable came after a painful 2-3 start, this is a different team. These are not the guys who were destroyed on the road by the Denver Broncos. This is not the team that got stunned by the Rams at home.
A lot of things have changed since then. The linebackers are healthy and ready to go, the secondary is getting better every week, and the offensive line looks like another unit after Jonathan Cooper was named the starting left guard over Chaz Green.
The 2017 Dallas Cowboys are a Super Bowl contending team. I have no doubt about that at all. But there's one small problem. Ezekiel Elliott might be serving a six-game suspension anytime now, and the Eagles are still rolling, ready to take over the NFC East.
The Cowboys will probably have to earn a Wildcard spot to make it to the playoffs, leaving Dallas with little chance to lose. Every game is a must-win game.
Fortunately, the Cowboys have the right guy at the most important position in football. They have a player that can put the team on his shoulders and keep winning even if Elliott ends up sitting for six games.
That guy's name is Dak Prescott.
The sophomore who was supposed to regress during his second year in the league, is doing the opposite. Dak Prescott has improved a lot since last season and is becoming a better quarterback every week.
He's making throws he didn't make last year, his awareness is improving, he is taking control over this offense in a way we hadn't seen before. He's picked up this team in moments where they've needed it the most.
He's accounted for 20 total touchdowns this season, which ranks him only behind Carson Wentz and Deshaun Watson in the NFL. Wentz has played one more game but is currently on his bye week.
Carson Wentz is the front-runner on the MVP race and rightfully so. Even as a Cowboys fan, it's difficult not to recognize what the Eagles are doing as they're ready to visit Dallas in week 11 with an 8-1 record.
Even still, don't count Dak Prescott out. He's got a unique chance to put himself in the MVP conversation and perhaps end the season as the front-runner for the award. The Cowboys have two games versus the Eagles and if they end up shocking the world by defeating Philly twice, look out.
Ever since they became starters for this team, Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott have been part of an interesting debate. Some will say Zeke is the reason why Dak has been so successful. While this is in part true, it's impossible to take credit away from Prescott and what he's done.
We still don't know if Zeke will be suspended or not this season, but if he is, Prescott has the perfect opportunity to prove what he's all about. Without a premium rushing attack, the offense will rely heavily on the passing game.
Dak has been able to get the ball to all of his receivers and will continue to do so going forward.
He's on pace for 32 passing TDs, and that's including a rainy game in Washington in which he didn't throw a single touchdown pass. At least two of his four interceptions weren't really his fault.
With this receiving corp, and this offensive line, Dak Prescott has everything he needs to put himself in the MVP conversation and even become the front runner in a few weeks. Picture it, the Cowboys finish the season with a record of 11 wins, they beat the Eagles at least once and Dak Prescott surpasses the 40 touchdown mark. No Cowboys QB has ever done that, and Prescott is in fact on pace for 40 total TDs.
I strongly believe Dak Prescott could take everyone by surprise and win the MVP Award this season. He's got work to do though. Meanwhile, he should be in the conversation.
Your turn, 4.
