The race isn’t that tight throughout the league, however, it is a total battle in Dallas. The Cowboys are bragging to the NFL about their two top rookies right now – Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. The QB/RB duo have gotten ‘God’s team’ to a 9-2 record, which is good enough for top spot in the NFC. Elliott is setting records with every snap, while Prescott has established himself as the undisputed future quarterback of the most expensive franchise in the league.
Let’s take a look now and who is leading the way and which other players across the league are giving them competition – as little as it may be.
Entering week 13, ‘Zeke’ leads the NFL in rushing yards with 1,199 and yards per game with 109.0. He has stormed the competition all year long and the former Buckeye is now the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Elliott also sits second in the league for rushing touchdowns with 11, just one behind LeGarrette Blount’s 12. He’s projected to finish the year with 1,744 yards on the ground which would be good enough for second place in team history behind DeMarco Murray’s 2014 record of 1,845.
Dak Prescott entered the team’s third game of the preseason in a relief role after Tony Romo went down with a back injury. It was later learned that Romo’s injury was worse than originally thought. In fact, Romo broke a bone in his back, which meant Prescott got the starting gig full-time for at least a few weeks. In those weeks, the former Mississippi State Bulldog impressed. So much so that now 12 weeks later, Prescott earned the nod ahead of the now healthy Romo and sits fourth in the league for QB Rating with 108.6. He’s also only been intercepted twice! Which is good enough for second among starting backs, however, the top dog Tom Brady (1 interception) missed the first four games of the year due to a suspension. In other words, Dak is impressing in a big way!
Wentz got the Eagles out to a stunning 3-0 start – good enough for top spot in the NFL. However, following those first three weeks and their week four bye, they fell apart. Wentz threw his first pick of the year in a clutch moment the following week and the team dropped six of their next eight. He’s showed signs of brilliance and there are zero critics out there saying that he’s not a step up on Sam Bradford or Mark Sanchez. Wentz has established himself as the starter for the foreseeable future in Philly. Will that be enough for a rookie of the year nod though? Likely not. None the less, the former North Dakota State star is still in the running.
