Can the Dallas Cowboys be a perennial Super Bowl contender with Dak Prescott at quarterback? Prescott fell from the heavens into the Cowboys' open arms in the wake of Tony Romo's preseason back injury. And while the reigning NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons have a Super Bowl hangover, the Cowboys feel their quarterback is just getting started.
Dak Prescott, the 2016 NFL Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year, led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record, NFC East crown, and the number one seed in the conference before being bounced from the playoffs by the Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Despite this depressing playoff exit, there seems to be no reason to expect Prescott to not have the Cowboys in position to make a Super Bowl run as soon as next season. In the mind's of most people, Prescott has reset the Cowboys Super Bowl window. A fourth round rookie, Dak has shouldered the pressures of playing quarterback for the Cowboys while remaining poised and focused.
On the biggest stage Prescott has played his best football. While the Cowboys may have lost to Green Bay, Dak did his part from the beginning, throwing for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns while bringing the team back from a huge deficit. Twice Dak put the offense in position to tie the game, and bailed out a defense which let him down for much of the first half.
Earlier in the season, while questions swirled about whether Dak should permanently replace franchise quarterback Tony Romo, Prescott remained unfazed. Keeping his cool and continuing to perform, Dak left head coach Jason Garrett with no choice but ride with him for not only the remainder of 2016, but also for many years to come.
All signs seem to point to the emergence of another Dallas Cowboys dynasty, or at least something as close to that as imaginable. They have the quarterback in Dak, the running back in Ezekiel Elliott, the big play receiver in Dez Bryant, and the mammoth offensive line to anchor it all.
While questions can be asked about the defensive side of the ball, the return of Jaylon Smith from injury as well as the opportunity to draft an edge rusher from this incredibly deep 2017 NFL Draft class should make any fan giddy.
Less than a year ago we all would've thought the Cowboys Super Bowl window was closing. Sure, the front office had developed a fantastic young offensive line, but Tony Romo was getting older and more fragile, Dez Bryant had just missed virtually the entire 2015 season, and their defense continued to look suspect.
But after last year's draft haul, the Cowboys Super Bowl window is wide-freaking-open. Mostly thanks to their quarterback, Dak Prescott.
