Dallas Cowboys: 5 X-factor players for Week 1 vs. Rams

1. Dak Prescott, Quarterback

This one feels a little over-simplified to pick the quarterback, but in this case, it’s true. The Cowboys offense was special during the 2019 season as first-year coordinator Kellen Moore had them racking up yards at an insane pace.

That led to Dak Prescott having the best season of his career which included him throwing for 4,902 yards with 30 touchdowns. The way he and Moore worked together impressed new head coach Mike McCarthy enough that Moore stayed in Big D to continue calling plays — which is something McCarthy handled during his time with the Green Bay Packers.

McCarthy made that move with Prescott in mind. He wanted things to be easier on his new quarterback, who is also coming in on the franchise tag following two offseasons of failed attempts at a long-term deal.

Now Prescott has even more pressure on him as he once again sets out to prove he deserves a big contract. He also has plenty of doubters still, including those who don’t think he can win when facing elite teams ‚— claiming that he instead racks up his stats against losing franchises.

Well, Los Angeles has been a winning team in recent seasons so Prescott playing well would be huge for him. It’s also the biggest key to success for the Cowboys in Week 1.

This team has a lot of weapons but they go as far as Prescott does. In order for those weapons to succeed, No. 4 needs to be on his game.