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Prescott vs. Aikman: A tale of 2 rookie seasons

The Dallas Cowboys own arguably the NFL's richest quarterback history, and Dak Prescott is adding to it by making history of his own.

What the rookie pivot has done through 12 games is unprecedented, even for a franchise that's trotted out the likes of Don Meredith, Danny White, Roger Staubach, and Troy Aikman under center.

Prescott has captained the Cowboys to 11 straight wins, the longest winning streak in team history, a stunning development considering he was assured the starting job only days before the season began.

To further underline how difficult it is to produce such a rookie season, let's compare Prescott's first 11 games to the 11 Hall of Famer Aikman played as a rookie in 1989.

Comp Pct Yards Touchdowns INTs
Prescott 67.9 2835 18 2
Aikman 52.9 1749 9 18

Aikman's rookie year

The two couldn't be more polar opposites in their rookie years.

Aikman, the golden boy with the golden arm, was the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft and, as such, inherited a 3-13 team. Aikman played behind a suspect offensive line that allowed him to be sacked 19 times. He would be dropped another 39 times the following year.

But in that first year, he played for a rookie head coach in Jimmy Johnson after legendary coach Tom Landry retired, and was surrounded by a roster that had to be restocked by Johnson. With those realities in mind, it should come as no surprise Aikman didn't win a single game as a rookie. That's right, he went 0-11.

Paul "Boo Boo" Palmer was his lead rusher with 446 yards in nine games. Kelvin Martin was his top receiver with 644 yards in 11 games. Neither would ever record a 1,000-yard season.

Aikman's numbers were just as bad that year. He threw twice as many interceptions as he did touchdowns, including a three- and four-pick games. The Cowboys were shut out in three of Aikman's starts and they managed 20 points or more on just three occasions.

The disappointing year had the fan base questioning whether Aikman would be the franchise savior he was promised to be.

Prescott's rookie year

Prescott has lived in a completely different universe.

As a fourth-round pick, he wasn't expected to be the No. 1 quarterback this season, but he was thrust into that role due to Tony Romo's back injury in the preseason.

Prescott has been blessed with what is universally believed to be the best offensive line in football and a rookie running back that just may end up as the league's MVP. With an All-Pro in Dez Bryant to throw to, Prescott is surrounded with talent Aikman wouldn't have until his third season.

Prescott's first NFL game ended in a loss, but he hasn't been defeated since, leading the Cowboys to an 11-1 record, the best mark in the NFL.

The steady pro has proven to be everything the Cowboys needed. After years of Romo's roller coaster of up and down play, Prescott has thrown just two interceptions all year and has countered that with 19 touchdown passes. By not turning the ball over, he's allowed the Cowboys to play to their strengths and hide a vulnerable defense.

Prescott promised he'd be prepared for this opportunity. Even before the season started, he boasted he's "the smartest quarterback" in the rookie class, singing the praises of the pro-style offense he ran at Mississippi State.

Prescott and Aikman had vastly differing rookie campaigns, and it appears the Cowboys' newest rookie quarterback arrived in Dallas at just the right time.

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