DALLAS COWBOYS
Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott leads Cowboys dark horse charge in NFC East after past injury sparked his best career year

The Cowboys have won their division four times in Prescott's nine seasons in the NFL

Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott looks at teammates during NFL football...
Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott looks at teammates during NFL football practice at the Cowboys facilityAP

In the blink of an eye, Dak Prescott is entering his 10th season in his career-two of which ended prematurely due to injury-in which he can sur Tony Romo with 2,747 yards on the list of most yards for a quarterback in Cowboys history (34183) and with 36 thrown es to also sur Romo (248). Although his regular-season numbers are an all-time legend for the Cowboys with four division championships won and a record of 76-46, his playoff numbers and performance-a record of 2-5-in addition to being the highest-paid in league history, make this season critical for Prescott. This is mainly because the offense is renewed with George Pickens, rookie Jaydon Blue, and their first round pick guard Tyler Booker, giving Prescott the weapons to compete in the tough NFC East.

Prescott's NFC East Dominance Faces Early Test Against Eagles

Their first test will come during the NFL Kickoff, when they visit the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles on September 4. In his nine seasons as a starting quarterback, Prescott has dominated the NFC East division, posting an impressive 33-8 career record against NFC East opponents. This undoubtedly gives him more value in the tough NFC East, arguably the NFL's most competitive division. Yet, Prescott has consistently risen to the occasion against his division rivals, including the surging Washington Commanders, the inconsistent New York Giants, and the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

While the offense appears solid, the defense-an area where the team made moves in free agency-must improve to stop Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, Malik Nabers, Russell Wilson, and the other playmakers in the division.

It's a good omen for the Cowboys that the last time Prescott didn't finish the season due to injury was in 2020. In the 2021 season, he had a career year, setting a franchise record with 37 touchdowns and amassing 4,449 yards. Additionally, Prescott is disciplined, as he has shown throughout his career. Now, with Pickens and Lamb, who could be the most dangerous duo in the NFL, and Brian Schottenheimer as the new coach-who was the offensive coordinator and therefore knows Prescott perfectly-the Cowboys could be an underdog to consider in the NFC.

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