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Cowboys' Dak Prescott Top 'X-Factor' In NFC East Race

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 7:30 AM ET

Most criticize Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott to within an inch of his life, but there's no denying when he is healthy for a full season, Dallas is usually NFC East champs and playoff-bound.

Unfortunately, injuries have piled up recently, meaning just twice in the last five years, Dak has played a full season. He needs to have his third in 2025.

Much has been made of the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders running away with the division, but don't discount Dak and the Cowboys from calculations.

Bleacher Report's Moe Moton has Prescott as an X-factor that could play a pivotal role in who wins the NFC East.

"With an underwhelming collection of running backs, Dallas will likely rely heavily on Prescott's arm this year," Moton writes. "Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are coming off a down season. Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah are Day 3 rookies. Deuce Vaughn has 50 career touches in two campaigns. If Prescott stays healthy, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens could be one of the league's most productive wide receiver duos.

"Though the Washington Commanders have earned the buzz following an improbable run to the NFC Championship Game, watch out for the Cowboys' bounce-back season if Prescott can stay on the field."

Off the bat, Dallas won't be relying on Dak's arm, with Brian Schottenheimer making moves this offseason to transition the offense back to being a run-first unit for Dak to then launch play-action passes off of it with the coaching additions of Conor Riley and Klayton Adams.

Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams, at this stage, loom as the two who will get things started in 2025, with a sprinkling of Jaydon Blue and his blistering speed as both a runner and receiver set to be utilized.

We have George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, and Jake Ferguson as Dak's top three weapons, which should see a serious uptick in production if the offensive line, which now houses three first-round picks, can keep Dak upright.

For all the criticism and hate Prescott gets, if he's healthy for an entire season, the Cowboys are a good football team, and in 2025, he has all the tools to take Dallas back to the postseason.

Will that be as division champs? Who knows, but the Cowboys have just as good a shot as the Eagles and Commanders to claim the crown.

If Dak avoids the treatment room.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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