In the life of an NFL quarterback, you're supposed to be a master of PR. That's why when Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was asked in a recent interview who was his favorite division rival to beat, I expected him to dodge the question by saying something like "Oh you know, every rival is the same."

But the thing about Dak is that he is genuine. And it certainly makes sense considering how much his leadership is praised by everyone who knows him or has been around him.

So you won't be surprised to learn that Prescott actually named a team. And yes, Cowboys fans, you will absolutely love it.

"Everybody's tough, for sure, that's the cliché answer and I mean, it is true," Dak Prescott told Nick Eatman on Cowboys Storyline, a team official show. "Honestly, it's probably Philly."

The Philadelphia Eagles get Prescott's vote! And you've got to love it especially as both franchises gear up to face each other twice this year as two of the top three favorites to win the NFC. 

But for Prescott, it's not that much about hating the franchise like perhaps so many Cowboys fans do. After all, the Cowboys and Eagles remain one of the most fun rivalries in the NFL. In reality, for Dak, it's more about the iconic environment he faces when going to Philly to beat the Eagles in front of their fans.

"But more so just because of the environment and because of their fans," Prescott added. "It's as great of a place to play football. That's where passion is at its peak, to go over there, to get a win, to battle with those guys has always been fun over my career."

In 2022, Dak didn't get to play against the Eagles in Philadelphia as he fought back from a thumb injury. But it served the Cowboys quarterback well as he took in the environment and reflected on the meaning of the venue.

"That was really one of those times where I realized the significance of this stadium and the passion and just the energy that flows within it," he concluded. "It's a special place."

Personally, I view Prescott's answer as poetic for another reason. I can't help but think about that 2016 Sunday Night Football game during Halloween weekend when he faced the Eagles as a rookie. At the time, everyone debated on a daily basis whether it was Dak's team or whether he was just holding down the fort until Tony Romo came back from injury. 

I was at the Stadium that night as Prescott led the Cowboys to a comeback win in overtime as he found Jason Witten for the game-winning touchdown after eluding pressure and working out of the pocket. The win put the Cowboys at 6-1 and firmly in a position to win the division.

As fans chanted "Eagles suck!" while walking down the AT&T Stadium ramp, an old couple asked me "Which quarterback do you think should start when Romo comes back?"

For the first time that season, I felt like there was no way to hide it. If there was any remaining doubt in my mind, it stopped Cowboys when the rookie led the team back to victory on such a big stage against the Eagles. This was Dak Prescott's team. That hasn't changed since then.

Micah Parsons, starters take part in multiple fights during Cowboys practice

Tipping point.

Featured image via Dallas Cowboys YouTube