FRISCO, Texas – Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper were added to the 2019 NFC Pro Bowl roster to replace Drew Brees and Michael Thomas. Prescott will join teammate Ezekiel Elliott as two-time Pro Bowl players concluding their third season in Dallas. The game will mark Cooper’s third-career trip to the Pro Bowl.
It is only fitting that this dynamic duo was selected together. Since the Cooper trade in week nine, he has opened up the Cowboys’ passing game and helped out his QB with his ability to create separation on routes-providing an open target downfield.
Prescott’s 32 victories in the league are tied for fifth-most by any NFL QB in his first three seasons in league history. He is the only quarterback in NFL history with 30-plus wins (32) and 25-or-fewer interceptions (25) in his first three seasons. He now has the most game-winning drives by any NFL QB since 2016, and the most by any NFL quarterback during his first three seasons. Since 2016, Prescott is responsible for 17 total touchdowns, 14 passing and three rushing, when the game is within seven points in the fourth quarter or in OT, tied with Russell Wilson and Drew Brees for the most in the NFL over that span.
Dak finished the 2018 season with career-highs in attempts (526), completions (356), and passing yards (3, 885). Many people were calling for his head at 3-5 earlier in the season, which comes with the territory of being the QB of America’s Team. He has continued to prove himself as a run threat and as a clutch-maker in critical game time situations. He carried the offense on his back in week 17 against the Giants and the NFC Wild Card Round vs. the Seahawks, where he extended plays with his feet while being forced out of the pocket under heavy pressure on third and long and fourth and long situations. He delivered perfect deep TD bombs on the run or lunged himself across the goal line to capitalize in the red zone. Prescott continues to beat the odds against him.
The addition of Amari Cooper in Dallas had a significant impact on Prescott’s performance level on the field and the offense in its entirety. With his precision and speed on routes, Cooper was able to gain separation from corners on man-to-man and provide an open target for Dak to throw to downfield. He has helped the team convert on first downs and move the chains. He helped open up the team’s passing game, which in turn opened up opportunities for other players when he was double teamed in the latter part of the 2018 season.
Since Cooper’s trade, he has converted 39-of-53 receptions for a first down, which is 74% and puts him at sixth in the NFL. In the nine games following the acquisition of Amari, he tied for the fourth most-receiving first downs (39), fourth-most receiving TD’s (six), the eighth most-receptions (53), and ninth-most receiving yards (725) to lead the Cowboys and rank him among the top 10 receivers in the NFL from weeks 9-17. With Cooper, the Cowboys’ record went from 3-4 before, to 7-2 after, along with their passing offense improving from 183.1(29th) to 250.7(11th). The team made considerable strides with the deep threat in their offensive scheme, going from a third down percentage of 31.9(30th) to 48.4(1).
Both players deserve the honor and for Dak and Amari-they are just getting started!!
