The 2025 NFL season's first five weeks are finished. The unofficial quarter mark of the season usually gives fans an outlook of what to expect from their team going forward, and, for the Dallas Cowboys, the team will go as far as quarterback Dak Prescott carries them.
Fortunately, No. 4 has been one of the NFL's best players this season. Prescott has not only been a key reason why the Cowboys' playoff hopes are still alive, but his performance has been the definition of what the league's Most Valuable Player should be.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Is the NFL MVP After 5 Games
Following its unprecedented tie against the Green Bay Packers, many expected a “letdown” performance by the Cowboys when they faced the New York Jets in Week 5. The chances of a Jets upset significantly increased with Dallas missing four starting offensive linemen, to go along with No. 1 wideout CeeDee Lamb being sidelined.
Instead of regressing, Prescott stood tall by throwing for 237 passing yards and four touchdowns in the 37-22 road victory. He now has seven TDs without an interception in his last two games.
Prescott is a top-three quarterback in passing yards (1,356, 2nd), touchdowns (10, T-3rd), and quarterback rating (76.5, 3rd). But what makes his performance to start the season so impressive is the other side of the ball.
The Cowboys are ranked dead last in defense. In the team's two wins, the Cowboys scored 40 and 37, while also putting up 40 to force a tie. There isn’t a quarterback in the league asked to do more than what Prescott is currently being forced to do, yet he's found a way to do it without complaining about any obstacles he's faced.
Prescott isn’t a stranger to MVP conversation. He finished second behind Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson in 2023, also with Brian Schottenheimer as his playcaller.
While Schottenheimer deserves much credit for Prescott’s elevated play the last couple of years (when healthy), another member of the coaching staff deserves just as much: offensive coordinator Klayton Adams. The Cowboys' OC can be credited for reviving the team’s running game, while making sure the offensive line doesn’t miss a beat with injuries all over. If the 32-year-old is eventually named MVP, Adams has to be near the top of his thank-you list.
Prescott is playing the best football of his career and has looked the part of the league’s MVP. If the defense can improve even slightly, while continuing to lead the NFL’s best offense, the Cowboys should win enough games for Prescott to be a favorite for the award.
No one has been more important to his team's success, and that's what winning MVP is all about, right?