Which Dallas Cowboys Should be on Awards Watchlist's?
Even though the Dallas Cowboys are only 7 games into the season, the team is already receiving plenty of award buzz. They are 6-1 and playing like not only one of the best teams, but most complete too. Playmakers are all across both sides of the ball, and have made headway in the first half […]
Even though the Dallas Cowboys are only 7 games into the season, the team is already receiving plenty of award buzz. They are 6-1 and playing like not only one of the best teams, but most complete too.
Playmakers are all across both sides of the ball, and have made headway in the first half on the season.
Multiple players on the team are already being mentioned to receive post-season accolades. Deservedly so. Some even for more than one!
However, aside from just the obvious names, who else should be up for awards?
This list contains all the names you would expect from the Dallas Cowboys, and even some you might not be considering.
Coach of the Year
Head Coach Mike McCarthy had a rough first season. Injuries' plagued the team, and his friend Mike Nolan as the defensive coordinator only made things worse.
Now, despite still fighting injuries, Coach McCarthy has helped make this Dallas Cowboys team into a contender. Having Dak Prescott around for all but one game, definitely helps. The addition of Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator, and the game-by-game adjustments of this team have been elite.
Not only do they win games, but each win is different. This team doesn't have a traditional 'identity' and McCarthy and the rest of the coaching staff are successful anyway. Successful to the point that we could be seeing a potential Super Bowl run.
Comeback Player of the Year
Dak Prescott was already the favorite to win this award coming into the season. Returning from a devastating injury will do that. Not only is he returning from a compound fracture, but he's doing it with finesse.
So far this season, Prescott has thrown for 1,813 yards 16 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, while completing 73.1% of his passes, and the team is 5-1 with him on the field.
The only other player out there with a chance to catch Prescott for this award in Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. With all due respect to Burrow, this award has all but been solidified to go to Dak the day after he went down.
Defensive Player of the Year
Trevon Diggs is the early favorite for defensive player of the year. He leads the league with 7 interceptions and 11 pass breakups, still with 10 games in the regular season. On top of that he is the back-to-back Defensive Player of the Month winner.
Undoubtedly the odds-on favorite.
Keep an eye also on Cowboys edge Randy Gregory who's having a breakout season. He's got 17 QB pressures, 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles so far this season.
He would have to beat out fellow edge rushers TJ Watt and Myles Garrett to be in consideration, but shouldn't be forgotten about.
Offensive Player of the Year
Not only is Dak Prescott making a big time comeback, but he's doing it with some of the best numbers in the league. Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry would've been the likely favorite, had he not injured his foot. Now it looks like it will be a quarterback award, competing with players like Kyler Murray, Cooper Kupp and Tom Brady.
Ezekiel Elliott is another name to watch, as he has turned back the clocks on his career. He's top 5 in the league in rushing (571 yards), while averaging 4.8 yards per carry and is on pace to finish with 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The best part? No fumbles!.. so far.
Rookie of the Year
In a down year for rookie quarterbacks, players like Ja'Marr Chase are getting all the attention on offense. The only other (likely) rookie to compete with him has been Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons
He's a linebacker in name only, as he is doing more than just simply playing inside. He's playing inside, on the edges, with his hand in the dirt and in coverage. Parsons is exactly what the Arizona Cardinals though Isaiah Simmons would be last year: a defensive force with no 'true' position.
He's excelled on the edge, making many people (including myself) believe that is where he should line up permanently.
Parsons' game assignments differ from game to game, and will remain that way this season. If continues to go down this path, he could end up with one of the most dominant rookie defensive seasons ever.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
I've talked plenty about Micah Parsons. He's the early favorite and for good reasons. Through 7 games, he has 7 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and leads all rookies in QB pressures with 20. There's no doubt Parson's has a heavy lead.
He also happens to have a teammate who's in the running. Third round defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa was asked to step up and be the starter when Neville Gallimore went down in the preseason. So far, he has yet to disappoint.
Odighizuwa has been arguably the best rookie interior defensive linemen in his rookie class with 9 QB hits, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss and is also among the leading rookie defenders in pressuring the quarterback.
It's never a bad thing to have a rookie stand out on defense. It's even better when you have 2. The Dallas Cowboys have many quality rookie defenders on this team and a pair of them stand out among the best.
MVP
It's a bit redundant, but really Dak Prescott's MVP season was last year. Everyone saw just what this team would look like without Dak for almost an entire season, proving his Value.
What make this Player one the Most deserving has been his effect on both sides of the ball. He's the leader of this team, and is leading them into a potential number 1-seed in the playoffs. Whether he plays, or has to sit for a game.
Different sites have Prescott as a favorite to win the award, despite missing a game. Ranked 5th at +700 odds, according to Vegas Insider, as well as 5th at +750 odds, according to The Lines.
No other Dallas Cowboys player has won league MVP since Emmitt Smith won in 1993, and Dak would only be the 2nd player in franchise history to win the award. There's still 10 games left in the season, and at the rate Prescott has played, he will be in the race down to the end.
