Dak Prescott is playing like the MVP leading the Dallas Cowboys to a 5-1 record. Dallas most recently defeated the New England Patriots in an overtime thriller. Prescott passed for 445 yards including three touchdowns in this game. The MVP candidate has been lighting the NFL on fire this season and should be considered for the greatest individual award: NFL MVP.
Prescott is Playing Like the MVP During NFL’s First Half
Prescott’s Great First Half to the 2021 Season
Dallas is one of the NFL’s best teams at 5-1. The Cowboys dropped the opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dallas had a lead with less than two minutes before Tom Brady led the Buccaneers down the field for a game-winning drive. Since then, Dallas has beaten the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, New England Patriots, and handed the Carolina Panthers their first loss of the season.
Prescott is up to 1,813 yards for the season with 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions. The veteran quarterback is commanding one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL, racking up passing yards; touchdowns; and wins at an impressive clip. After a controversial off-season, Prescott has thus far earned his massive contract. If he finishes the season at this pace he will likely be on the shortlist for NFL’s MVP.
Dak Prescott has 8 games with 400+ passing yards since 2019
Nobody else has more than 4 😳 pic.twitter.com/r8KBYuqgqn
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 18, 2021
The only game where Prescott struggled was against the Chargers. The electric quarterback only passed for 237 yards with an interception and failed to find the endzone. Outside of that game, Prescott has arguably been the best quarterback in the NFL.
The Short List
The top players, in no particular order, in the NFL thus far should include Derrick Henry, Josh Allen, Kyler Murray, Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, and Dak Prescott. Henry has over 100 yards in every game except the season opener. The bruising running back also has three games with multiple touchdowns so far this season. Henry has racked up 783 rushing yards through six games with 10 touchdowns.
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Josh Allen
The other top names in the NFL include quarterbacks. Josh Allen leads the Buffalo Bills with a marquee win in Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs. Allen has 1,723 yards and 15 touchdowns with only three interceptions. Allen adds another level of intricacy to his game with rushing upside. He has had two rushing touchdowns this season and has rushed for over 40 yards three times in 2021.
Josh Allen's 8 TD passes on Monday Night Football are the most by any QB in his first 2 MNF starts
The only QBs with more in their first 3 Monday Night Football starts are Dan Marino (10) and Joe Montana (9) pic.twitter.com/hHDU7ypJ2S
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 18, 2021
Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray leads the NFL’s best team, the 6-0 Arizona Cardinals. Murray has passed for 1,741 yards and 14 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Kyler Murray also has an electric rushing element to his game with three touchdowns on the season. The Arozona quarterback leads the only undefeated team in the NFL and there seems to be no end in sight to their winning streak.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady has been great during 2021. Brady seems to get better as he continues to age passing for 2,064 yards with 17 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Brady has also led the Buccaneers to a 5-1 record with a big win on opening night against Dallas. Tom Brady also passed Drew Brees breaking the record for all-time passing yards in the NFL. The 44-year-old quarterback doesn’t seem to be slowing down as he continues to defy father time season after season.
Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford has found a new home with the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams and Stafford are 5-1 only having lost to the Cardinals. Stafford is having one of his best seasons since being traded to the Rams. Stafford has passed for 1,838 yards and 16 touchdowns with four interceptions during the 2021 season. Matthew Stafford and the Rams are an explosive offensive headlining Cooper Kupp enjoying his best season since entering the NFL. The Rams are a favorite pick to appear in the NFC Championship game in 2022.
Highest passing grades on throws past 1st read:
🎯Matthew Stafford – 90.1
🎯Russell Wilson – 89.5
🎯Josh Allen – 88.9 pic.twitter.com/o8BTWBzvMZ— PFF (@PFF) October 16, 2021
Dak and the Defense
Prescott’s numbers are on par with each of these other players. The Cowboys are also a legitimate contender and a heavy favorite to represent the NFC East in the playoffs. The Dallas defense makes this team even scarier with Travon Diggs picking off passes in each of the first six games. The defense has a bend-don’t-break mentality and is very opportunistic. Pair the turnovers generated with the explosive offense and Dallas is a scary team come January.
Dak Prescott is in elite company and should be heavily considered as the MVP if he is able to keep his current pace. Prescott is already a lock for comeback player of the year and if he maintains course, looks to be the best player in all of football. The leader of America’s team is silencing doubters, earning his massive off-season contract, and carrying his team through the gauntlet that is the NFL.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
