Here are Dak Prescott’s passing numbers over his last 16 games.

And even that doesn’t tell the full story, at least as far as this season goes. Prescott has 149 passing first downs this season on 377 dropbacks, a 39.5% passing first down rate. In fact, the Cowboys lead the NFL in passing first down percentage, despite “only” ranking 8th in completion percentage.

This chart is always one of my favorites: completion percentage on the X-Axis, and passing first down rate on the Y-Axis.

Teams far below the line (Jets, Bears, Steelers) are completion percentage frauds: teams that appear to actually have a high completion percentage as their end goal, rather than the result of good quarterback play. But the Cowboys have a dominant passing offense, and Prescott is obviously a huge reason why. Dallas ranks 1st in Yards per Attempt (8.8), 1st in Net Yards per Attempt (8.3), 1st in sack rate (3.2%), and 3rd in ANY/A (8.3). Dallas is passing more heavily this year, and Prescott has risen to the challenge. The great sack rate is an outstanding sign, and Prescott also leads the NFL in passing yards.

It doesn’t matter whether you argue that he’s the 3rd best QB in the NFL or the 5th or the 1st. The reality is he’s clearly established himself as a top-8 quarterback, and most would comfortably put him in the top-5. And given his contract — at least for now — that makes him an insanely valuable player.