By Larry Rupp
Quarterback Dak Prescott’s return to the field this season may be the best definition of turning a devastating setback into a major comeback.
The Dallas Cowboys’ leader saw his career flash before his eyes when he suffered a compound ankle fracture against the New York Giants in Week 5 of the 2020 season. Prescott cried as he was carted off the field, but he was determined to return better than ever.
It has now been more than a year since he went down, and Prescott is right back at home running an offense that is among the league best in total yards and points scored per game. His heroics have guided the Cowboys to first place in the NFC East with the halfway point of the season quickly approaching.
Prescott finds himself near the top of the odds when it comes to winning his first NFL MVP Award. However, there is another distinguishable honor that seems to be his to lose. The Pro Bowl QB leads all candidates for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award with odds set at -300, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
💣s away!@dak ➡️ @AmariCooper9 #NYGvsDAL | 📺 : @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/DJdZIdJ7kH
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 10, 2021
The 28-year-old is no stranger to being recognized for his talent. Prescott has earned two Pro Bowl nods through his first five NFL seasons and was named the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year back in 2016. Don’t get it twisted, none of that matters to him, though. Prescott has been adamant that his biggest goal is to bring a Super Bowl title back to Dallas.
That kind of mindset is exactly what caused Cowboys president and owner Jerry Jones to surround Prescott with everything he needs to succeed. Dallas boasts one of the best offensive lines in the league and that allows Prescott enough time in the pocket to pick apart defenses on a weekly basis. He can also use his legs and rush for a first down if needed.
It’s not like Prescott doesn’t have offensive help too. Running back Ezekiel Elliott already has three 1,000-yard seasons under his belt coming out of the backfield, and wide receiver Amari Cooper is a four-time Pro Bowler. Add in the speed of dynamic second-year pro CeeDee Lamb, and it’s no wonder Prescott is able to post the stunning statistics that he does.
Dak to CeeDee to give the Cowboys their first lead! 🙌 #CowboysNation
— SportsDay Cowboys (@dmn_cowboys) October 17, 2021
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/1hxxkBMRXl
Keep in mind that a quarterback has been named the Comeback Player of the Year in each of the last three NFL seasons. The only other player within striking distance of Prescott is Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow (+800). Burrow tore his ACL midway through the 2020 season and currently has his team in the thick of the playoff race in the AFC.
Other challengers include safety Derwin James (+1800), defensive end Danielle Hunter (+2000) and wide receiver Michael Thomas (+2500). Simply put, Prescott is well on his way to taking the hardware home with him. The former fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State isn’t messing around.
Picture Credit: Flickr
