The Dallas Cowboys came into the 2022 season as a clear favorite to win the NFC East.
However, an injury to their star QB Dak Prescott puts their playoff hopes in question.
This means backup QB Cooper Rush now leads the Cowboys offense in Dallas until Prescott can return.
But can Rush keep the Cowboys’ 2022 playoff hopes alive?
Rush Proves He Can Win
The former Central Michigan QB is familiar with handling the Cowboy’s offense.
Last season, Rush was called on to take over for the injured Prescott.
In his start, he impressed everyone with a 325-yard passing game while scoring two touchdowns.
#Cowboys’ Cooper Rush makes second career start for injured Dak Prescott. Won at Minnesota last season with 325 passing yards and touchdowns to Cedrick Wilson and Amari Cooper – neither on Dallas roster. But that was also CeeDee Lamb’s most recent 100-yard receiving game. pic.twitter.com/ckXDRsYu6j
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 18, 2022
However, the best part is how current number one receiver CeeDee Lamb benefited from Rush taking over in 2021.
With Rush having a 2-0 record after his win against the Cincinnati Bengals, he’s proving he can lead the Cowboys’ offense.
While the win wasn’t as impressive as his first career win last year, he still did everything right in the game.
He finished the game with 235 passing yards and one touchdown while throwing no interceptions.
But will he continue to win games against tougher opponents?
Cowboys Running Game Can Help The Team
If Rush ever feels too much pressure on him, he’s got two solid running backs to help bail him out.
Both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard are two backs who get the job done in Dallas.
With them, Dallas has both a power back and an explosive back to give defenses a one-two punch.
Jerry Jones doesn't consider Tony Pollard superior Cowboys RB to Ezekiel Elliott. Explosion and power complement.
"The toll Zeke takes on the defense with his power, that’s very impactful," Jerry tells @1053thefan. "Not finesse but hard-nosed football we’re trying to establish."
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 21, 2021
Jerry Jones made it clear last year that Zeke is the power back that plays the “hard-nosed football we’re trying to establish.”
However, having the explosiveness of Pollard helps keep defenses on their toes against the Cowboys’ running attack.
While they can support Rush, both in the running and passing game, it’s up to the QB to make the right calls.
He’ll need to know when it’s time to hand them the rock and let them carry the team on their shoulders if he fails.
Dallas Has All The Tools To Stay In Playoff Contention
There are too many big-name stars on the Cowboys’ roster for them to lose the NFC East.
With Zeke and Pollard on offense, and DeMarcus Lawrence, Anthony Barr, and Micah Parsons on defense, the Cowboys have all the right pieces in Dallas.
However, it comes down to these players executing in games.
NFL fans saw how Parsons can dominate an offensive line and get to the quarterback when he sacked Tom Brady twice in their home opener.
The playoff hopes in Dallas hinge on his continued dominance throughout the NFL season.
While the season is young, Parsons has a history of showing how much of a force he is on defense.
With him and other defensive stars, the Cowboys can help keep their team in games.
All they need is for Rush to manage the offense like he’s done previously in his first two NFL starts.
NEXT: Did Jerry Jones Make A Mistake With Amari Cooper?