Colin Cowherd sat down on “The Herd” and dropped a truth bomb about Dak Prescott that most people are missing. While discussing Week 5’s NFL action, the Fox Sports host spent serious time breaking down how the Cowboys quarterback has gone from overrated to criminally underappreciated. In more ways than one, Prescott’s MVP performance was evident throughout the game. Cowherd walked through Prescott’s entire career arc, from his cushy rookie situation to his current role as a one-man wrecking crew. The Cowboys just crushed the Jets 30 to 3 on the road, and Prescott did it without his top receiver, three offensive linemen, and basically any reliable running game. This wasn’t just another win. This was proof that Dak has reached another level entirely, showcasing his outstanding MVP-worthy performance.
The Early Years: Great Supporting Cast, Overrated Signal Caller
Prescott looked good, really good actually. But here’s the thing. He didn’t have to do much heavy lifting. Elliott controlled games on the ground. The offensive line gave Prescott all day to throw. The formula was simple and it worked. According to Cowherd’s breakdown on Fox Sports, Prescott got way too much credit during those years. Everyone saw the production. Prescott put up solid numbers and Dallas won games.
But the skeptics had a point. How much of that success was actually Dak? How much came from having elite talent at every position? The offensive line was the best in a decade. Not good. Not great. The absolute best. Elliott could make any quarterback look competent. This created a perception problem that haunted Prescott for years. Critics jumped on every playoff loss. They questioned everything about his game. The supporting cast propped him up, but it also prevented him from silencing doubters. Nobody could tell if Prescott was truly elite or just a really good game manager with incredible weapons. That question hung over his entire career. Until now, as we witness his MVP-contending plays.
The Current Reality: Elevated Play With Depleted Weapons
Everything has changed. CD Lamb is a legitimate top 5 receiver, but he sat out the Jets game injured. Three offensive linemen are currently hurt. The running game? It’s strictly by committee with nobody approaching Elliott’s old production. Brian Schottenheimer calls the plays, and while he’s solid, nobody confuses him with the league’s best coordinators. Oh, and the defense ranks dead last in the NFL.
None of that mattered against New York. Prescott carved up the Jets like Thanksgiving turkey, showcasing what many have called a potential MVP-level performance. The final score was 30 to 3, and it honestly could’ve been worse.
This is where the “C++ players” comment comes in. Prescott is working with average talent and producing elite results. He has hit the 10,000-hour rule. His football IQ has exploded. He processes defenses faster. The guy has lost weight and gained strength. He looks different, plays different, is different, proving his MVP-caliber performance beyond doubt.
“If I had an MVP vote today, I would vote probably Baker Mayfield one and Dak 2. I would give Baker it because he’s won more games and he’s won them late.” — Colin Cowherd
Against the Jets, Prescott put on an absolute clinic. He threw darts, moved in the pocket, and made plays that only a handful of quarterbacks in the world can make. And he did it with what Cowherd generously called “mid” level talent surrounding him. This is the ultimate validation for a quarterback who spent years fighting perception. The current version of Dak Prescott has arrived. And everyone better start paying attention as his MVP performances continue to shine.
