The Dallas Cowboys have clawed back into contention in the NFC East—and Dak Prescott is the reason why.

After a rough start, Dallas has won three straight games to reach 6-5-1, cutting the gap to just 2.5 games behind the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles (8-4). Prescott's steady command of the offense sits at the center of this turnaround.

The quarterback ranks second in the NFL in passing yards (3,261) and tied for second in passing touchdowns (25) while posting an impressive 102.4 passer rating. Over Dallas's three-game winning streak—which included a stunning 21-point comeback victory over the Eagles and a win over the Kansas City Chiefs—Prescott has thrown for 942 yards, eight touchdowns and just two interceptions.

A Balanced Attack Takes Pressure Off Prescott

The Cowboys have built a legitimate supporting cast around their quarterback. A young but improving offensive line drafted over recent seasons pairs with star receiver CeeDee Lamb and newcomer George Pickens, acquired via trade to bolster Dallas's receiving weapons.

But the most significant change may be on the ground. Running back Javonte Williams, rejuvenated in his return to form, leads Dallas with 955 rushing yards and eight touchdowns—sixth in the NFL entering Week 14. First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer has weaponized this rushing threat through a potent play-action attack.

The numbers tell the story: Prescott has completed 78.4% of his passes for 1,131 yards with 12 touchdowns and zero interceptions on play-action passes, per Next Gen Stats.

Favorable Schedule Sets Up MVP Push

Dallas faces a forgiving stretch to close the regular season against the Lions, Vikings, Chargers, Commanders, and Giants. The Cowboys own the third-easiest remaining schedule in the NFL in terms of opponents' winning percentage.

While Dallas cannot afford another collapse and still make the playoffs, Prescott now has a legitimate path to his first MVP award. His odds skyrocketed from +10000 last week to +1500, moving him into third place in the MVP race.

One more dimension of Prescott's excellence: he completes 70% of his passes for 981 yards with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions when facing a blitz, recording a 108.5 passer rating under pressure, per Next Gen Stats. In a 48.7% blitzed game against the Chiefs, Prescott connected on 15 of 19 attempts for 190 yards.

MVP Watch: Week 13

5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

The Vikings bottled up Smith-Njigba defensively, holding him to just two receptions for 23 yards in Seattle's easy victory. Despite the quiet output—his lowest of the season—the Ohio State product moved into the No. 10 spot on Seattle's all-time receptions list with 245 in his third NFL season.

Odds: +10000

4. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Prescott jumped from unranked to fourth in the MVP race after leading the Cowboys' three-game winning streak with elite play, especially under pressure.

Odds: +1400

3. Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns

Garrett continues his sack rampage, adding one more in Cleveland's loss to San Francisco. With 19 sacks on the season, Garrett passed Mark Gastineau (18.5 in 1984) for the second-most sacks by any player in their first 12 games of a season. Only Reggie White (21 in 1987) has more.

Garrett also holds the record for most tackles for loss in a team's first 12 games since 2000 with 28, surpassing J.J. Watt's 2012 mark of 27.

Odds: +30000

2. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams

Stafford had his worst performance of the season in a road loss to the Carolina Panthers, throwing for 243 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions—his first multi-pick game of the year.

His career-long 317-attempt interception streak ended, and he threw his 31st interception-for-touchdown in his career, second only to Brett Favre (32) in NFL history.

Odds: +125

1. Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots

Maye continues to play efficient football while the Patriots own the best record in the NFL at 11-2. The rookie leads the league with 49 passing plays of 20-plus yards and has thrown 18 touchdowns against just four interceptions during New England's impressive 10-game winning streak.

Odds: -135

Honorable mentions: Jonathan Taylor, Patrick Mahomes, Caleb Williams, Christian McCaffrey, Josh Allen