EXCLUSIVE: "Dak Prescott is top five QB in the NFL" - Mike Smith has high praise for Cowboys star after big win vs Eagles

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys kept their slim hopes of a division title alive with a 40-34 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

With quarterback Jalen Hurts out with an injury, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew started the game for the Eagles and helped them build a 34-27 lead with less than 10 minutes left in the fourth quarterback. However, two methodical drives, led by Prescott, helped the Cowboys score ten answered points before a late turnover and a field goal took the game away from Philadelphia.

On the latest episode of Sportskeeda's BallFather podcast, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith gave Prescott the ultimate vote of confidence. He said:

"Dak Prescott is a top-five quarterback in the NFL. He's not always the most accurate but on that 3rd and 30, he was accurate. That's what he's capable of doing. And he's done it over and over. He's led the Cowboys to a lot of wins. I think they're really coming into form though, right now, the offense for the postseason. And it's gonna be interesting to see if they get another shot at the Eagles."

TY HILTON ON 3RD AND 30! #DallasCowboys

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Smith also credited Prescott for his mental fortitude. The Cowboys star threw a pick-6 early in the game but was nearly flawless after that mistake.

JOSH SWEAT PICK-6 👀 @SweatyJ_9

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Smith said:

"Dak Prescott showed his leadership qualities and led that team, especially after that first throw. I saw on the broadcast, they said that,'Well that's two in a row. the last two throws, interceptions for touchdowns.' The one in Jacksonville, but he put it behind them. And, you know, just methodically played and plotted, and they got to victory and that's what you got to do sometimes."

Can Dak Prescott and the Cowboys win the NFC East?

The Dallas Cowboys are 11-4 and trail the 13-2 Philadelphia Eagles by two games in the NFC East standings. Dallas' victory on Christmas Eve kept the division race alive. If the Eagles lose their remaining two games and the Cowboys win their final two regular-season matches, Dallas will usurp the Eagles courtesy of a better divisional record.

The Cowboys' division title hopes are bleak, but they will look to do their bit and win their final two games of the regular season to go into the playoffs as the top-seeded Wildcard team, if not as the NFC East champions.