Cowboys: What does Thursday’s NFL opener mean for Dak Prescott?

The Dallas Cowboys open up the NFL season under every single spotlight. Traveling to Tampa Bay for the opening kickoff will have millions of viewers tuned in. From the defending champs, to Tom Brady, to the Cowboys, to Dak Prescott’s ankle, there is no shortage of storylines this Thursday.

Let’s look at what it can mean for Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott. Coming off of a gruesome ankle injury that required two surgeries and countless hours of rehab, his return to status is arguably the biggest storyline and question mark. Can Dak Prescott and his surgically repaired ankle duel with one of, if not the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history in Tom Brady?

I’ll say it very bluntly: I believe in Dak. Not only do I believe he can be a good quarterback, but that he may be an even better leader than he is a quarterback. That is why I believe this game means so much to the Mississippi State product.

Dak Prescott is ready to get back into the Dallas Cowboys spotlight

Fans saw Dak’s intensity ramp-up in HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this preseason. He had an edge to him that showed a desire to perform well, rehab even harder, and push the offense to new heights. This is nothing new for the type of competitor Prescott has constantly been throughout his football career. His ability to carry teams to new levels is proven.

Prescott led Mississippi State to be the first team to ever go from unranked to the number one ranking in just five weeks. That sort of leadership is what separates Dak from not only being a quarterback but ascends him into a leader and one that the entire team can rally behind, not just the offense.

Just this past Saturday, current Florida State, and former UCF, quarterback, McKenzie Milton was thrust into action against Notre Dame. His comeback from a catastrophic knee injury is nothing short of a miracle. I mention this because of what his emergence brought to the game.

Milton brought an unranked FSU team back from a 10-point deficit against the #9 Fighting Irish. While he stepped in and delivered well beyond what anyone could have predicted, his presence uplifted a defense that had been getting beat up all night. Milton stepped in and that emotion carried the FSU defense to stonewall Notre Dame and allow the FSU offense to complete a comeback that ultimately forced overtime.

That is the type of situation Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys can recreate on Thursday night. Prescott has the ability to drive an entire roster to play beyond their skillsets when they start believing. The entire roster will be behind their quarterback and if he can hang in there with Tom Brady. Don’t be surprised if this defense finds something deep down to give their quarterback the same chance he is giving them to pull off the upset.

This game is one that gives good players the chance to start their march toward great. The NFL season opener, on the road, in primetime, against the defending champs, head-to-head against the greatest quarterback in NFL history? This game means everything for Dak Prescott.