(*5*)
C.J. Stroud did some back-tracking after revealing his preliminary record of the NFL’s top-five quarterbacks based mostly off of the 2023 season. One of the issues that remained constant, nevertheless, was Stroud’s inclusion of Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott.
In order, Stroud initially tabbed Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, himself, Prescott and Jalen Hurts as the NFL’s top quarterbacks throughout an look on the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game” podcast. Stroud later known as an audible, nevertheless.
In his up to date record (which he posted on his Instagram account), Stroud stored the top-three quarterbacks the identical, however gave the No. 4 spot to Josh Allen and moved Prescott to the fifth and closing spot whereas omitting Hurts. Stroud added that he feels Joe Burrow can also be amongst the NFL’s top 5 quarterbacks. Burrow, although, missed almost half of the 2023 season with an harm, which was absolutely the purpose why he was left off of Stroud’s record.
Stroud took some warmth on the podcast for his inclusion of Prescott, who led the NFL final season with 36 landing passes. Prescott additionally led Dallas to a 12-5 report to enhance to 73-41 as the Cowboys’ beginning quarterback since 2016. Prescott fell to 2-5 as a postseason starter, nevertheless, after Dallas was upset by Jordan Love and the Packers in the NFC wild card spherical.
“Dak’s that boy,” Stroud mentioned. “Ya’ll not gonna say that because he ain’t won the big one yet.”
Polarizing can be a great phrase to sum up Prescott’s profession up to now. He hit the floor operating as a rookie, main the Cowboys to a 13-3 report en path to Pro Bowl and Offensive Rookie of the Year Honors. But his numbers (and the Cowboys’ report) dipped in 2017, largely as a result of operating again Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension.
Prescott returned to his Pro Bowl type in 2018 whereas serving to lead the Cowboys to solely their third playoff win since the franchise’s final Super Bowl triumph. He put up large numbers once more in 2019 and was on a tear to begin the 2020 season earlier than a severe leg harm ended his season after simply 5 video games.
Despite the significance of his harm, Prescott returned and was his regular prolific self in 2021, his first season with Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. He threw a career-high 37 touchdowns that yr whereas main the Cowboys again to the playoffs for the third time since 2016.
Prescott endured a slight dip in manufacturing in 2022, nevertheless, as he threw a career-high 15 picks. His and the Cowboys’ offenses’ points had been compounded when Dallas scored simply 12 factors in its season-ending loss to the 49ers in the NFC divisional spherical.
Last season, Prescott once more put up large numbers whereas agin main the Cowboys to the playoffs. But the playoffs loss to the Packers bolstered the narrative that Prescott continues to be missing one thing regardless of all the success he is had up to now.
Stroud, although, clearly does not really feel that the Cowboys’ lack of playoff success below Prescott needs to be held in opposition to the group’s quarterback. Stroud additionally hailed one particular side of Prescott’s recreation that is perhaps neglected by some of his naysayers.
“Dak,” Stroud mentioned, “is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the world.”
That is perhaps true, however till he has extra success in the playoffs, it seems that Prescott’s supporters are all the time going to must defend themselves. That record of supporters contains Stroud, who will get an opportunity to share the subject with Prescott when the Cowboys host the Texans in Week 11.