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Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott NFL MVP, Ezekiel Elliott ROY?

By Steven Mullenax

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) talk with NBC sideline reporter Michele Tafoya after the game against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) talk with NBC sideline reporter Michele Tafoya after the game against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Could two Dallas Cowboys rookies possibly get the NFL MVP award as well as be named the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year?

The first six weeks of the NFL regular season have been magical for the Dallas Cowboys and their fans. And the fact two rookies are at the heart of the Cowboys resurgence bodes well for the legendary franchise’s future. But could each first-year player come away with two of the most prestigious awards in the league at seasons’ end: NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Rookie of the Year?

Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott has been the biggest surprise in the league so far this season. Selected late in the fourth round of April’s NFL Draft, Prescott followed up an impressive preseason performance with an even more awe-inspiring five game winning streak in the regular one. In fact, the 23-year has played so well that many believe he deserves to now start over veteran Tony Romo, even when the 36-year is fully healed from the compression fracture he suffered in his back in the preseason.

Rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott has been exactly what everyone expected: dominate. As the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Elliott has done something most first round selections never do: Live up to expectations. Through the first six weeks of the regular season, the 21-year old out of Ohio State is leading the league in rushing yardage and is on pace to break several franchise and league records.

With these two rookies leading the way, one national sports radio/TV host believes the Cowboys’ unique duo could be up for two major awards. Prescott, the NFL MVP award. And Elliott, Offensive Rookie of the Year.

"“This is going to sound like a ridiculous thing to say…I think I would give Zeke Elliott the Rookie of the Year and I would give Dak Prescott the MVP,” Mike Greenberg announced on his ESPN Radio show Mike & Mike last week. “And I know that may sound completely crazy. But that’s sort of the way I would do it…I think that Elliott has been more spectacular, but I think what Prescott has done, basically picking up a franchise that could have gone directly in the tank…so there’s a value in what Prescott has done that I think supersedes just how specifically well he’s played.”"

Last season, the NFL MVP award went to Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton who won 48 of the 50 possible votes from The Associated Press. In 2015, Newton threw for 3,837 passing yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a passer rating of 99.4. He also ran for 636 yards and 10 more scores.

Last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year went to St. Louis Rams’ running back Todd Gurley. The 10th overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft rushed for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns averaging 4.6 yards per carry in 13 games. Gurley received 27-first place votes to win the award.

Next: Breaking Down the Cowboys Defense Player-by-Player

Through the first six weeks of the season, Prescott has recorded 1,486 passing yards, seven touchdowns and has just one interception. Dak has also rushed for 67 yards and three more scores. Elliott has gained 703 yards and five touchdowns on the ground in that same span. Going into their bye in Week Seven, it’s anyone’s guess how the season will end up for these two talented Cowboy rookies. But they are each certainly off to a promising start in their careers.

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