NFL MVP Tracker: Dak Prescott leads as Dallas Cowboys eye first winner since 1993
Dak Prescott is inspiring the red-hot Cowboys to wins and could claim the NFL MVP award, which hasn't been won by a Dallas player since Emmitt Smith back in 1993
The NFL MVP race remains wide open, but some key contenders are now positioning themselves for the final stretch. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has enjoyed a terrific run of form recently, leading America’s Team on a charge for the NFC top seed that has coincided with him moving atop the MVP rankings.
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Week 13 began with the Cowboys defeating the Seattle Seahawks in a thriller on Thursday Night Football. The Seahawks flew out the gate offensively, with DK Metcalf dominating only for Prescott and co. to answer back and move Dallas to 9-3 on the season.
Elsewhere, the San Francisco 49ers laid down a marker as they crushed the Philadelphia Eagles, ensuring both Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy made substantial moves. It’s tight at the top - here are the Daily Express US Sports MVP rankings heading into Week 14…
1. Dak Prescott
With the Dallas Cowboys enjoying a four-game winning run, Dak Prescott is playing the best football of his career to lead the MVP race. On Thursday Night Football, the Cowboys tangled with the Seahawks in a shootout - and Prescott was excellent, dismantling the ‘Hawks with 299 yards and three touchdowns. After struggling with picks in 2022, Prescott possesses the best touchdown-interception ratio in the NFL while he has a league-leading 26 scores through the air.
2. Tyreek Hill
Another week, another dominant Tyreek Hill performance. Hill hauled in five catches for 157 yards and two epic touchdowns as the Miami Dolphins cruised past the Commanders. He’s the favorite for the AP Offensive Player of the Year award and is well on track to live up to his own pre-season declaration that he will become the first receiver to surpass 2,000 yards in a single season. Entering Week 13, he has 1,481 yards and 10 scores on the season.
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3. Christian McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey is the only threat to Hill’s chances of winning Offensive Player of the Year. He took 17 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown against the fierce Eagles defensive line, becoming the first player to surpass 1,000 yards rushing in 2023. If one member of the stacked 49ers is to win MVP, McCaffrey is as good a pick as any.
4. Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens had a bye in Week 13, but the 2019 MVP will look to press home his credentials against the in-form Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
5. Myles Garrett
When Deshaun Watson went down, the Cleveland Browns’ hopes of contending for the Super Bowl were dashed. Unfortunately, Myles Garrett’s MVP case may be collateral damage. The defensive end has been dominant in 2023 with 13.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and a blocked field goal - but he was quiet as the Browns fell to the Rams on Sunday.
6. Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts didn’t play poorly against the 49ers by any means, throwing for 298 yards and a touchdown while he added a rushing score. But after a productive first half, the Eagles offense slowed down - and such performances, and scorelines, damage MVP hopes in a wide-open race.
7. Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa toyed with the Commanders defense on Sunday, completing 75 percent of his passes for 280 yards and two scores - both to Hill - as he compiled a 141.0 passer rating. He remains a key contender for MVP, and his case will ultimately be defined down the stretch with the Dolphins set to face some big opponents in crucial games.
8. C.J. Stroud
There hasn't been an MVP from a non-playoff team since 1973, and C.J. Stroud ensured his Houston Texans kept their postseason hopes alive with a huge late victory over the Denver Broncos, another AFC wild-card hopeful. Stroud was hurried at times, but he still delivered in the biggest moments without Tank Dell, his favored target who suffered a season-ending injury.
9. Brock Purdy
Welcome back to the MVP rankings, Brock Purdy. Following a dip in form as the 49ers offense lost several stars to injury, Purdy has returned better than ever and crushed the Eagles on Sunday, completing over 70 percent of his passes for four touchdowns without a turnover. His 148.8 rating wasn’t too bad either.
10. T.J. Watt
The 7-5 Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the most confusing storylines of the season, representing an average team that just happens to have T.J. Watt while coached by Mike Tomlin. Watt, who is second in sacks with 14, has done it all for Pittsburgh and could drag the franchise into the playoffs - even if officials miss holding calls against him every game.
