'The Pied Piper!' Dak Prescott 'Dallas Cowboys Greatest Leader Ever!' Raves Owner Jerry Jones of MVP QB
The MVP debate can often be taken too literally. At the expense of quality quarterbacks on good teams, some will say a team doesn’t need a particular passer, because the defense, the offensive line, or the coaching is good enough to find some success on its own.
Make no mistake, the Dallas Cowboys needed quarterback Dak Prescott on Thursday. Fighting from behind against the Seattle Seahawks with their backs against the wall, it was Prescott who made every single play he needed to.
Simply put, he was incredible. He was dotting tight-window fastballs like prime Jacob deGrom and made repeated plays in and out of structure. When he wasn’t showing off his deep ball, he was evading pressure (or fighting through it) and helping move the chains with both his arm and legs.
Prescott attempts to move the chains with his legs against Seattle.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach Mike McCarthy called plays like had the league’s best quarterback under center. Prescott looked the part.
On Monday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, like the rest of the Dallas faithful, was more than happy to join in on the praise Prescott has received.
“We’ve never had a better leader,” Jones said. “Dak Prescott is the best 'Pied Piper' for everybody. I’m not just talking about the team, I’m talking about the coaches. He is the 'Pied Piper' of the team.”
Prescott, notably, rallied his defense to make the game-winning stop after Dallas went ahead in the fourth quarter and extended that lead to 41-35 on its final offensive drive. A few plays later, edge rusher Micah Parsons would come screaming through unblocked (by Seattle’s design!) and disrupt a Seahawks pass attempt to end the game.
“Turn me the (bleep) up!'' Dak barked encouragingly to the defense, adding something to the effective of, "I trust y’all. We went and did our job. Now it’s your turn to return the favor. And we’ll end this thing ... Win the (bleeping) game!''
"I'm like, 'Damn, that (bleep) made me blush a little bit!'' revealed Parsons of his QB's profanity-laced pep talk. "That's always exciting, that energy he brings, that fire.
"That's my quarterback right there. ... This is the type of quarterback that's going to win us the Super Bowl."
The Cowboys’ Jerry World winning streak was in doubt, as was their ability to threaten the Philadelphia Eagles for first place in the NFC East. In front of the home fans, Prescott delivered.
He completed 29-of-41 attempts for 299 yards and three scores. Prescott’s ruthlessly efficient day cemented his status as an MVP contender, checking yet another box. He willed his team to victory against a talented team in possession of a playoff spot. That sounds like an MVP to me.
It also sounds like one to his owner.
Continuing to keep Jones happy likely includes winning yet again in Week 14, when the Eagles come to town for a Sunday Night Football clash that could decide the division and the league’s ultimate individual award.
