For the most part it seems the conventional wisdom crowd has decided to crown Lamar Jackson as the MVP this year.
Followers of the 49ers would beg to differ with running back Christian McCaffrey (2,023 yards combined) and Brandon Aiyuk (105 receptions, 1,342 yards).
But Dak Prescott is definitely in the conversation. Sunday's four-touchdown effort should have caught some voters' attention.
Plus, the MVP goes to the best player, not to the best player on the team with the best record.
Let's assume that McCaffrey and Aiyuk would split the 49ers vote. Let's further assume that it comes down to Jackson versus Prescott.
Head To Head
- Player Comp – Att – Yards – TDs – INTs – Rushes – Yards – TDs — Fumbles
- Prescott 410 – 590 – 4516 — 36 — 9 – 55 — 242 — 2 — 4
- Jackson 307 – 457 – 3678 – 24 – 7 – 148 – 821 — 5 — 11
Prescott is more of a traditional pocket passer, although he does run when the opening presents itself.
Jackson averages about 10 carries a game – a lot from the quarterback position.
Prescott outthrew Jackson by 838 yards, even playing in one more game. Prescott sat out a few fourth quarters in blowouts too.
Prescott had 12 more touchdown passes and two more interceptions.
Jackson has the edge in rushing yards by 579 and scored three more rushing touchdowns.
Jackson went 13-3 while Prescott was 12-5. Both of their respective teams would struggle to win without them on the field.
Based on stats it's a draw – and again, the team's record shouldn't be the tie-breaker in determining who the best player in the league is.
The Case For Prescott
If Jackson does go on to win the MVP there won't be too much argument.
He's had a great year for the Ravens. He's clearly proved the huge contract extension he signed with Baltimore was money well spent.
But Prescott has had a near-career year and one that really stands out when compared to his year last season.
In 12 games last year – and dealing with the thumb injury that cost him five games – Prescott went 8-4 as a starter.
He completed 66.2% of his passes (261-of-394) for 2,860 yards. He had 23 touchdowns but also 15 interceptions and fumbled four times.
Prescott's quarterback rating was 91.1 and his QBR was 59.9. He was criticized by many and calls have been made to move on if he continued to turn the ball over.
This year has been a vast improvement for Prescott.
His 12 wins are the most since his rookie year of 2016 when he won 13 games. His 410 completions tied his 2021 output for a career high.
His completion percentage of 69.5 is a career high and only his 2019 season of 4,902 ranks higher for passing yards.
He missed tying his 2021 career high of 37 touchdowns by one. We're looking at you Luke Schoonmaker in Philadelphia.
He threw his career-longest touchdown this year – a 92-yard strike to CeeDee Lamb two weeks ago against the Lions.
Prescott was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2018. In short, Prescott had a career year.
Can Prescott Win It?
Despite Jackson being the odds-on favorite to win his second MVP, Prescott still has a chance to claim his first.
If he should land the hardware he would become only the second Dallas Cowboys' player to earn the league's MVP award.
Emmitt Smith in 1993 was named MVP after his incredible season in 1993. Despite missing two games, Smith was the driving force behind Dallas' second Super Bowl run.
The voting for the award has already begun and will be completed before the playoffs begin. The winner will be announced a few days before the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
Last year Prescott was at the Super Bowl to accept the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
Maybe he'll be in Las Vegas to accept the MVP award – hopefully he'll already be there getting ready to play in a Super Bowl when the winner is announced.
