NFL MVP 2023: How do Jackson and Prescott compare?

After Week 17 of the NFL, we have an overwhelming favorite for this season’s MVP. In fact, as soon as the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins, it became quite clear. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson finished his record-setting Game going 18-for-21 passing for 321 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions and a perfect passer rating of 158.3.

Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott has been up and down in the NFL MVP race this season. Just a few weeks ago, he was the favorite, but two losses in a row to the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins set him all the way back to fifth. After the Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions on Saturday, he surged back up to second place in the race, going 26-of-38 passing for 345 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. And yet, he’s nowhere close to Lamar Jackson. Let’s take a look at how they compare.

Lamar Jackson in the MVP race

Jackson’s game against the Dolphins was his third with a perfect passer rating, putting him just two games behind the NFL record, currently held by former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who accomplished that five times. In the 56-19 victory, Jackson alone was responsible for five of the touchdowns, his fourth game with five TDs and the first since the 2019 season, when he also won the MVP title. With that victory, he not only secured his place at number one in the MVP race, but also the Ravens’ place at number one in the AFC, a first-round bye week in the playoffs, and home-field advantage throughout the AFC post season.

Jackson’s 2023 stats after Week 17

Dak Prescott in the MVP race

Although Prescott is nowhere close to Jackson in the MVP race (odds are currently -2000 Jackson and +1600 Prescott), he’s had an incredible season. As of Week 17, he’s passed for 4,237 yards and 32 touchdowns with eight interceptions, plus 55 carries for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Still, those two pivotal losses put him behind in the race and the win over the Lions put him back up. In that game, Prescott played a crucial role in the win, putting up 345 yards and two touchdowns.

With one week left in the regular season and a new chance at clinching the NFC East, Prescott does technically have the opportunity to catch up to Jackson, but it would take a lot - seven touchdowns, 400 yards, and no interceptions against the Commanders, to be exact.

Prescott’s 2023 stats after Week 17

When will the NFL MVP be announced?

The official announcement of the 2023-24 NFL MVP will happen during the annual NFL Honors ceremony on February 8, 2024 - after the regular season and playoffs have ended and days before the Super Bowl. The cerermony will take place at the Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas with the broadcast set to begin at 9 p.m. ET.