The Dallas Cowboys is one of the more polarizing franchises in all sports.
You either love them or hate them. There’s typically no middle ground.
Unfortunately, the same rules apply to their quarterback room headlined by Dak Prescott.
In the NFC East, Dak claimed the throne as the division’s top quarterback for at least the last five seasons, if not longer.
What happens when you factor the primary backup quarterbacks into the equation?
The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best 1-2 punch in the NFL.
When it comes to the NFC East, Cooper Rush may be the runaway favorite as the man behind the man.
Marcus Mariota (Eagles), Tyrod Taylor (Giants), and Jacoby Brissett (Commanders) are all fine players in their own right.
However, Cooper’s recent track record will earn him the nod against the competition.
Cooper Rush has been BIG-TIME in PRESSURE-PACKED games
Say what you will about the talent, but Cooper Rush’s poise in big games is uncanny.
Let’s go back two seasons ago.
Kirk Cousins and a healthy Minnesota Vikings team attempted to unleash their high-flying offense on Dallas’ defense.
Dak Prescott previously injured his calf, and Rush wasted no time giving his family and friends who were in attendance a show they wouldn’t soon forget.
If you subscribe to Pro Football Focus, the analytical results say he had a horrible game.
He was graded a 52.7 overall on offense.
However, if you’re like me, the eye test was the focal point of my judgment.
Yes, he made a couple of errant throws, but when it mattered most, he gave the team 325 yards with two touchdowns.
The Dallas defense held Minnesota to 16 points that night, and Cousins’ favorite target, Justin Jefferson, was padlocked by Trevon Diggs.
Even still, that final drive with the touchdown to Amari was his signature.
In similar moments in the past, we would have needed Dak to pull that miracle off.
In that case, all we needed was Rush, and he delivered.
The momentum of 2021 carried into 2022 for Cooper Rush
Last season was a magical carpet ride for Cooper Rush.
Dak broke his finger in the first game against Tampa Bay, and Rush received an extended time in the sun.
Over those five games, the Dallas Cowboys went 4 and 1, with his only loss coming at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Putting up five touchdowns and three interceptions does not put him in a position to be Dallas’ starter, but it is a luxury to have.
Overall, most coaches would pray to sweet baby Jesus if they had a second-string quarterback who understands the big picture, protects the ball and plays complimentary football.
Mike McCarthy is lucky enough to have that and he knows he can trust Cooper in the crucial moments.
At Lincoln Financial Field, McCarthy could have rushed Dak back into action. No pun intended.
Instead, he stuck to his convictions and continued to roll the dice with the Central Michigan graduate.
Despite the results and implications, McCarthy relied on his backup when other coaches would have folded. It is much easier to stand up to the pressure when you are confident in your guy.
While there is a drop in talent between Prescott and Rush, it’s not enough to send fans into a frenzy if QB1 misses time.
Having familiarity with the playbook and teammates shouldn’t go unnoticed
The other previously mentioned backup quarterbacks have worked thru mini-camps and OTAs building a level of comfort.
If we’re honest, they have even more work to do.
Acclimation is concerning not only for the playbook but with their new teammates.
For the Dallas Cowboys, that period of adjustment should be minimal.
Last year in Prescott’s absence, it was very telling that CeeDee Lamb’s number didn’t see the drop-off you would expect when a backup enters the game.
Lamb hauled in 31 receptions for 380 yards and two touchdowns. Getting 49 targets during their time on the field together shows comfort.
Yes, with the addition of Brandin Cooks, getting him up to speed with the offense is necessary, but it’s not earth-shattering.
The other three NFC East opponents are currently working thru their own set of circumstances.
Is Jacoby Brissett the starter or a backup?
Will Mariota pick up the offense quickly enough?
Could Tyrod win a game with New York’s ensemble of weapons?
Dallas is the only team with a backup who knows his role, understands the offense, and will win many games if called upon.
Give me Cooper Rush ten times out of ten.
