Dak Prescott named finalist for MVP, Offensive Player of the Year in NFL
While another disappointing ending came for the Dallas Cowboys this season, it’s tough to deny how well quarterback Dak Prescott played this year.
It was, arguably, Prescott’s best season in the league as he hit age 30 and started his eighth season with one of the most recognizable franchises in sports. With the year he produced comes NFL honors and the former Mississippi State quarterback has more on Friday.
Prescott was named one of five finalists for the MVP and for Offensive Player of the League in the NFL, the league announced. The Associated Press has already voted for the award winners and they will be presented at the NFL Honors event on February 8, just before Super Bowl LVIII.
Prescott is a finalist for both awards for the first time in his career. He finished sixth in the voting as a Rookie when he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. He’ll have some stiff competition as the MVP has three players on it that still have a chance to play for a Super Bowl.
Lamar Jackson headlines the group of MVP candidates and is a favorite to win the award as the Baltimore Ravens quarterback leads his team to the AFC Championship this weekend. Also on the list is Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and San Francisco offensive stars in quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey.
Jackson, Prescott and McCaffrey also landed on the Offensive Player of the Year list along with Miami wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Prescott’s top receiving target, CeeDee Lamb. It’s important to note that only once in the last eight years has the MVP and Offensive Player of the Year been awarded to the same player.
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While Jackson may be the odds on favorite for both awards, Prescott certainly made his case. The MSU legend started in all 17 games and led the Cowboys to an NFC Championship and No. 2 seed in the playoffs with a 12-5 record. It was the second most wins that he’s produced as the starter and most since his Rookie season.
2023-24 was one of Prescott’s best
Prescott was 410-of-590 on the season with 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He rushed 55 times for 242 yards and two touchdowns. He had a career-high 69.5 completion percentage on the year, tied a career-high in completions, was two touchdowns shy of his most ever touchdowns and dropped his interceptions number from 15 to nine in one year.
The season earned Prescott his third Pro Bowl selection and his first All-Pro selection as he was named to the second team. Last season, the Haughton, La., native earned one of the most prestigious awards in sports when he was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year due to his work in the community and his Faith, Fight, Finish Foundation.
Despite the great season, Prescott’s franchise is still looking to get over the postseason hump. The team made a first round exit for the second time in three years and have now had 27-straight seasons without an appearance in the NFC Championship dating back to the team’s last Super Bowl in 1995.
