NFL Awards Predictions 2021: Patrick Mahomes returns to the throne

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 20: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts before the start of the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 20, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 20: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts before the start of the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 20, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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2021 NFL Awards
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 21: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the sidelines as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Houston Texans in the first quarter of a preseason NFL game at AT&T Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

NFL Comeback Player of the Year: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott was on an absolute tear in the early part of the 2020 season. In five games, he was averaging 371.2 yards per contest and had nine passing touchdowns, three rushing, and even a receiving touchdown.

But then in Week 5, he went down after being tackled on a designed run and his season was done. Dak suffered a compound fracture in his ankle and we learned ahead of this campaign that the Dallas Cowboys star player had to undergo two surgeries to repair the injury.

As if that wasn’t enough, he then suffered a shoulder injury in camp as he was trying to work his way back. That led to him sitting for the entire preseason, although that might have been the plan even had he not suffered a shoulder strain.

Prescott will be on the field for the first time since October when Dallas travels to Tampa Bay for the Thursday night opener. It could be a tough game for him and his team due to the competition they’re facing ‚— and the rust he’s sure to have  — but the season is not a sprint. It’s a marathon.

And Dak will surely be back to himself before long and we all saw last season that he’s someone capable of putting up some insane numbers in this offense. As long as he stays healthy and plays anywhere near the level he was in 2020, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year should be his.