The NFL MVP race is heating up as we near the home stretch of the 2023 regular season. Dak Prescott has been phenomenal on the field over the past few games, but Brock Purdy has recently entered the fray with some big performances over some of the better teams in the league. Most have recognized Prescott as the frontrunner over the past month, but for all the good he’s shown us, the award isn’t his just yet. But there’s still time to change that perception.

The latest update on odds to win the award has Purdy tied (with Prescott, depending on the betting site) or leading the way after a four-touchdown, 314 yard performance against the NFC-leading Philadelphia Eagles. Against the Eagles and Cowboys this season, Purdy threw eight TDs for 566 yards and zero interceptions. The Niners dominated both NFC East teams, beating them by a combined score of 84-29.

While some point out the flaws in Purdy’s MVP candidacy, there’s also a strong argument for Prescott not getting the award. We always hear the phrase, “You play who’s on the schedule.” This is true, but it can put you at a disadvantage when you end up beating up on lesser teams and then struggling against stiffer competition. Prescott has stockpiled some impressive numbers against teams under .500 for the most part this year. Besides beating Seattle last week, who entered that contest 6-5, Prescott’s/Dallas’ resume against winning teams hasn’t been great.

Prescott played well against the Eagles last month, but it wasn’t enough to get the victory. MVPs win those close games late, no matter who they’re facing. Prescott has failed to do that when playing the better teams in the league. When the Cowboys played the Niners in October, Prescott barely topped 153 yards through the air and threw half of his INTs this season in that game. That’s a game where the “MVP” needs to show it, and Prescott wasn’t able to rise to the occasion.

Purdy’s had his share of slip-ups, but he’s also stepped up when facing some of the better teams in the NFL. He’s balled out against Philly and Jacksonville within the past month, throwing seven TDs to zero INTs in those games. The 49ers won both games convincingly. When you add wins over Dallas and Pittsburgh, both over .500, the resume for Purdy begins to really take shape.

Of course, Prescott still has time to reclaim his supposed MVP crown, with four of Dallas’ last five games coming against potential playoff teams. This week could decide the NFC East as the Cowboys take on the Eagles with Jalen Hurts’ health status up in the air. Hurts left Sunday’s loss to the Niners and was evaluated for a concussion. So, if he can’t go against Dallas this week, that’s a massive blow for Philly. He’s also a strong candidate for MVP, but if he misses time late in the season again, the results will likely be the same.

For Prescott to bring that MVP award to Big D, he’s got to have strong performances the rest of the way and beat the Eagles, Bills, Dolphins and Lions. Those four games will be the difference in Dallas finishing as the No. 5 seed and going on the road in the postseason or being the No. 1 or 2 seed and having a bye or a home game to start things off. It’ll also decide the MVP award and if Prescott can lead the Cowboys to victory over these teams late in the year, he’ll have earned the honor of Most Valuable Player.