Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott Must Have A Throwback ’90s Season
The Dallas Cowboys are learning the hard way that it takes more than hype or one player to win. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys struggled last season with Ezekiel Elliott deciding to take his six-game suspension. While the Cowboys were still in contention when Elliott was on the field, Prescott failed to deliver without his better half.
The Cowboys were 5-3 before Elliott took his suspension. During his absence, the Cowboys went 3-3 and while they still had a slim shot, his absence was the deciding factor. As the Cowboys look forward to the 2018 season, they know they need both of their playmakers on the field at the same time if they are to make a run.
[BXAds]In 2016 as a rookie, Dak Prescott was a favorite to win the NFL MVP Award. In 2017, he took a bit of a step back as many perceived it as a sophomore slump. But was it really a slump or a combination of things that just didn’t go the Dallas Cowboys way? The whispers among fans were that Prescott was the real deal while Ezekiel Elliott was just a product of the best offensive line in the NFL.Before Cowboys’ fans start to crucify me, think back to another tandem who wrecked havoc on the league. How good were the Cowboys with a backfield of Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith? Three Super Bowl championships later, they might be one of the greatest tandems in league history, but individually, Aikman was just average while Smith went on to lead the NFL in career rushing yards.
What’s wrong with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott?https://t.co/X6uPNDbwmn pic.twitter.com/Hp9ZvSI8dJ
— Rotoworld Football (@Rotoworld_FB) November 24, 2017
Can Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott Be As Good As Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith?
Imagine if Tom Brady forgot how to hit open receivers or get rid of the ball when a defense begins to close in on him. These are the types of decisions that can make or break a quarterback’s career and Prescott failed in 2017. The reason Cowboys fans will have a hard time understanding this is because this has never happened before. Tony Romo can be brought up but look at Romo’s numbers in the regular season. He’s been up there with the likes of Brady and Aaron Rodgers. While Aikman’s numbers were average (94-71 record, 165 touchdowns, 142 interceptions), it was Smith who made him look good.
It’s hard to argue with their success and this is why fans are struggling to admit the truth about Prescott. It can be blamed on his mechanics or the fact that teams now have film to study on the once third-string player. Whatever the case might be, what it boils down to is wins. If the Cowboys were hailed as having the best offensive line in football, should it really matter who’s running the ball? If the skills of Ezekiel Elliott were ever in question, those six games missed provided the answers to how good he is and how average Dak Prescott is.
What this all boils down to is how much they both need each other. It was the same way for Aikman and Smith. Emmit went on to become the NFL’s leading rusher but how much of that success was due to Aikman and Irving? This is how the young core of Prescott and Elliott must view their careers. They both came into the league together, succeeded as a team, and stumbled as a unit. Now, it’s time to see if they can band together again and right the ship.
Remeber what happened the last time they played an entire season together. The Dallas Cowboys went 13-3, won the division and almost walked away with Co-MVP’s.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
