Dak or Zeke?
That is the question so many people are wondering as the regular season enters December. Between Dallas’ two tantalizing rookies, who is not only the Rookie of the Year in the NFL, but also the MVP of the Cowboys and maybe even the MVP of the league?
It’s a tough question, there’s no denying that. It’s even more difficult when you are comparing two different positions. So let’s do this the right way – by the numbers – to hopefully put this debate to bed for good.
Or at least until next week.
Dak Prescott
Like Ezekiel Elliott, Prescott has set just about every Cowboys rookie record imaginable. To begin the season, Prescott went 176 passes without an interception, passing New England’s Tom Brady for the most all-time to start a career.
Against the Browns, Prescott set the club record for completions and touchdown passes in a season by a rookie. Troy Aikman held the previous records of 155 completions and nine touchdown passes, respectively, set in 1989.
With his 108.6 rating against Minnesota last week, Prescott passed Russell Wilson for the most games with a 100+ passer rating by a rookie quarterback since 1950. He is on pace to throw for over 4,000 yards, and has only thrown two interceptions this year. The record for the fewest number of interceptions in a season for a full time starting QB is four.
Perhaps most importantly, however, is the number that shows up in the win/loss column.
Prescott holds the Cowboys rookie record for wins in a season with 11, and has led Dallas on a franchise-best 11-game winning streak.
He is without question, at least up to this point, the best quarterback taken in last year’s draft, despite being a fourth-round pick.
Funny how some things just work themselves out.
Ezekiel Elliott
Keep feeding him.
Elliott needs 523 yards to pass Eric Dickerson’s all-time single season rushing record, which means he will need to average 131 yards per game to re-write the history books. It may be doable, though, as of the Cowboys’ final four opponents – New York, Tampa Bay, Detroit and Philadelphia – the final three are generally susceptible to quality rushing attacks.
The Giants rank 5th in stopping the run but the remaining teams on the schedule rank 22nd, 15th, and 16th in the NFL in rushing defense, with the Eagles even allowing 230 rushing yards in Week 6 against Washington.
Along with chasing Dickerson, Elliott also broke Tony Dorsett’s Dallas franchise rookie record of 1,007 yards in a season. In fact, Elliott has shattered that mark, all while scoring 11 rushing touchdowns. He needs eight more rushing touchdowns to break Dickerson’s single season rookie rushing touchdown record, which currently sits at 18.
And through 12 games, Elliott is the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,285 yards.
The Ohio State product provides Dallas with an explosiveness and balanced attack not seen in the D/FW metroplex since Emmitt Smith. His ability to hit the hole and cut up field has left opposing defenses gassed, exhausted and vulnerable by game’s end.
Unfortunately, some have discounted Elliott’s accomplishments. The phrase I hear most is “anyone could run behind Dallas’ offensive line.”
Yes, Darren McFadden rushed for 1,000 yards last season. But I would also like to remind you the Cowboys ran out Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel and Kellen Moore under center. They had to run the ball.
No ordinary running back could put up the kind of numbers Elliott has, especially in his rookie season. It’s foolish to even suggest it.
The MVP
Like most things in life, there is not a clear-cut choice. Both Prescott and Elliott are integral, and very vital parts to this Dallas team. If you take one out, the other simply won’t be as good.
Therefore, I am suggesting a co-MVP award. If there was ever a time to come out with one, it would be now. Prescott and Elliott play off each other, and I firmly believe you can’t have one without the other.
They go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Milk and cookies.
Aikman and Emmitt.
Dak and Zeke.
So, who has been the Cowboys' MVP in your eyes? Share your thoughts with Reece on Twitter @ReeceWaddell15.
