'Top 5'? Dak Contract Idea and Cowboys Offensive Numbers in Sync

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys for months have been committed to paying Dak Prescott like a “top-five QB.” Call it a mathematical coincidence, but it just so happens that Dak and the Dallas offense are piling up “top-five numbers.”

We are at the midway point of the NFL season and approaching the Sunday night kickoff of Vikings-at-Cowboys. To this point, Dallas is 5-3 and in terms of “body of work,” Dak and the offense have carries their weight. Consider all of the “top fives” (hat-tip Jon Machota):

TD passes of 50-plus yards since 2016:

-Tom Brady: 11

-Philip Rivers: 11

-Dak Prescott: 10

-Carson Wentz: 9

-Patrick Mahomes: 9

This stack belies the notion that Dak “can’t throw deep” (and also belies the criticism that the coaching staff doesn’t let him).

Passes of 20-or-more yards:

-Russell Wilson: 26 of 49, 824 yds, 7 TD, 138.0 rating

-Matthew Stafford: 23 of 57, 810 yds, 6 TD, 86.3

-Dak Prescott: 21 of 40, 721 yds, 8 TD, 106.3

-Deshaun Watson: 20 of 43, 681 yds, 5 TD, 112.3

-Aaron Rodgers: 19 of 45, 669 yards, 5 TD, 126.4

What the critics might say here: How many of Dak’s splash-play passes are really dink-and-dunk tosses transformed into YAC? My answer: Does Brady not do that with Edelman and White? Does Mahomes not do that with Tyreek and his running backs?

NFL’s top total offenses:

-Cowboys: 437 yards per game

-Ravens: 427

-Texans: 397

-Seahawks: 395

-Lions: 391

I think many NFL fans would be shocked by Dallas being atop this stack. ... and I know many Cowboys critics would insist “this is all Ezekiel Elliott.” Folks, look at all the numbers above; that cannot be accomplished with a “bad” QB.

NFL’s top scoring offenses:

-Ravens: 31 points per game

-Patriots: 30

-49ers: 29

-Buccaneers: 29

-Cowboys: 28

This stack doesn’t erase the offensive flop in that 12-10 loss at New Orleans and it’s not salve for the wound of the improbable loss at the Jets (in which Dak was typically valiant in the late-going.) And it doesn't erase mistakes made by the QB, as he'll be the first to tell you.

"Inexcusable,'' said Dak of his interceptions in particular. "We’ll find a way to be aggressive without turnovers."

Additionally, of course, the positive numbers and Dak's positive view guarantee nothing about Sunday. But taken as a whole? It’s “top-five” justification for an eventual Dak Prescott contract extension that’s going to be “top-five” as well.

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