Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott hurting each other in MVP race?
Could the combined stellar play from the Dallas Cowboys two star rookies be hurting them both when it comes to the NFL MVP Award race?
The Dallas Cowboys have made it clear numerous times this season. Individual records and personal accolades are meaningless to them. They have their collective gaze focused on a much bigger prize.
Still, the stellar play of their two star rookies, quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, has each speculated to be in the running for some of these most treasured individual accolades in the NFL: Offensive Rookie of the Year and the league’s Most Valuable Player awards.
Although either player is likely a lock to receive the Rookie of the Year nod, the MVP Award is a bit more uncertain. And that likely due to the fact that each could be having a detrimental effect on the other when it comes to the 50 Associated Press voters.
Determining which player is more important to the 11-1 Dallas Cowboys success this season is a difficult proposition. It appears even Cowboys fans are split on that decision. Here’s how some of our readers voted:
Prescott’s play has been a revelation in his rookie season. A fourth round selection out of Mississippi State, his fairy tale rise to stardom will likely be the stuff of legend for many years to come. The 23-year old currently leads the NFL in QBR (85.2). Prescott has thrown for 2,974 yards, 19 touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 67.9% of his passes.
As the fourth overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, Elliott was expected to be great. Especially behind the league’s most dominate and talented offensive line in Dallas. But the 21-year old has been able to live up and exceed those expectations in his first season. Having rushed for 1,285 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games so far this year, Zeke currently leads the league in rushing by over 200 yards.
Obviously, both rookies share a part of the responsibility for the success of the Cowboys this season. But the lingering question as to which is more responsible opens the door for other MVP candidates who are clearly the top player on their respective teams.
Players like Oakland Raiders’ quarterback Derek Carr or longtime New England Patriots’ gunslinger Tom Brady. Both of whom are having stellar seasons, individually and collectively, as a team.
The bottom line is, the blessing of having two stellar players in the MVP race is great for the Dallas Cowboys as a team. And it bodes well for their playoff future. Which, at the end of the day, is what the Cowboys players and the team’s fans should all want.
But when it comes to deciding which of Dallas’ two terrific rookies is deemed the most valuable, that split vote could cost both Prescott and Elliott the award entirely. That is unless there is a concerted effort by the 50 voters to nominate them both as co-MVPs.
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