Four Dallas Cowboys players were named as finalists for the Associated Press’ 2023 NFL Awards for MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year.
Which Dallas Cowboys Were Nominated for the 2023 AP Awards?
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was named a finalist for MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. Meanwhile, WR CeeDee Lamb is also up for OPOY, while LB Micah Parsons and DB DaRon Bland are nominated for Defensive Player of the Year.
What did these players accomplish this season, and what are their chances of winning the awards?
QB Dak Prescott
Prescott has been in the MVP conversation for most of the season because he has thrived under head coach Mike McCarthy’s play calls. In 2023, Prescott had 4,516 passing yards, 410 pass attempts, 36 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a 69.5 completion percentage.
This year, he had a career-high completion percentage, rating, and number of touchdowns. His 124.4 passer rating from this season is the second most in Cowboys franchise history behind Tony Romo.
MORE: How Did the Dallas Cowboys’ QBs Perform This Season?
Prescott led the league this year with his passer rating of 117.9 on third-and-long. He also had the longest pass of his career thus far with a 98-yard bomb to Lamb in Week 17 against the Detroit Lions.
Even with the MVP-caliber season Prescott had, the Cowboys’ early playoff exit will likely impact his chances of winning the award.
WR CeeDee Lamb
Lamb has proven to be one of the top receivers in the NFL. This season, he had 1,749 receiving yards, a single-season franchise record, surpassing Michael Irvin’s 1,603 yards in 1995.
With his 135 receptions this year, Lamb led the NFL and officially had the most receptions in a season in Cowboys history. His chemistry with Prescott was noticeable throughout the season, and he quickly became the quarterback’s go-to guy.
Lamb entered the season at the top of almost every receiving stat, which is impressive considering his involvement in the offense didn’t pick up until after the team’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5.
Lamb has a strong chance of winning Offensive Player of the Year, but a deeper playoff run would have boosted his chances even more.
EDGE Micah Parsons
Parsons is an obvious difference-maker for the Cowboys and one of the best edge rushers in the NFL. This season, he had 14 total sacks, giving him the most on the team and the eighth most in the NFL this year.
With his sack total, Parsons joined Reggie White as the only players in NFL history to record at least 13 sacks in their first three seasons.
MORE: Evaluating the 2023 Dallas Cowboys Linebackers
Despite not having flashy stats this season, Parsons remains one of the NFL’s best players today. His impact and ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks takes Dallas’ defense to a new level.
Unfortunately, since he didn’t have these flashy stats, it could hurt his chances of being named Defensive Player of the Year.
CB DaRon Bland
Bland had a historic season and holds the NFL record for most pick-sixes with the five he had this season. Not only did he lead the NFL and the Cowboys with nine interceptions, but this is the second year he has led the team in picks(five in 2022).
Bland is the first non-offensive player to score five touchdowns in a season since J.J. Watt in 2014. Given his record-breaking year, he has a good chance of winning DPOY.
BLAND DID IT AGAIN!!! HISTORY!!!
📺: #WASvsDAL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N5H8Nc0xKc pic.twitter.com/tImqViPSlg— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2023
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