BE.Despite possessing impressive personal stats each season, Dak Prescott has yet to bring important victories to the team, causing his true value to continue to be questioned by experts and fans.
Dak Prescott’s numbers look elite, but critics say the Dallas Cowboys star still hasn’t turned his strong performances into consistent wins. Dan Orlovsky explains why Dak’s MVP value remains limited.
Dak Prescott’s Stats Are Solid, But the Wins Aren’t There
Through six weeks of the 2025 NFL season, Dak Prescott has posted numbers that would make almost any quarterback proud:
- 1,617 passing yards
13 touchdowns
3 interceptions
68% completion rate
Those stats scream MVP caliber — yet, according to former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, Dak isn’t in the league’s top five MVP candidates
“Dak is playing well. He’s making the right reads, protecting the ball… but MVPs are about impact — how much you directly influence winning. I don’t see Dak doing that enough,” Orlovsky said.
Strong Performances, But Not Enough Wins
The Week 6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons was a perfect example. Prescott completed 73.5% of his passes for 261 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions — and yet the Cowboys still lost 30-27.
Despite his clean stat line, Dallas couldn’t close out the game. Orlovsky argues that an MVP quarterback must “take over” those moments — and right now, Dak isn’t doing that.
Many fans agree. While Prescott’s efficiency has improved, he hasn’t shown the same “take-the-game-over” fire that players like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Lamar Jackson display weekly.
Is Dak Playing Too Safe?
Several NFL analysts believe Prescott is being too conservative.
He’s avoided risky deep throws in favor of short-to-intermediate passes, which limits turnovers but also caps the Cowboys’ explosiveness.
Without consistent playmaking help beyond CeeDee Lamb, and with Brandin Cooks struggling to find rhythm, the offense often looks predictable.
“Dak isn’t making mistakes — but the Cowboys’ offense feels afraid to take chances,” said one NFL Network commentator. “And you don’t win big games playing scared.”
External Factors: Defense & Play-Calling
It’s not all on Prescott, though.
The Cowboys’ defense has been banged up, with Micah Parsons dealing with nagging injuries and Stephon Gilmore not performing at his 2023 level. That’s forced Dak to shoulder more responsibility late in games.
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Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has been criticized for bland play-calling and lack of red-zone creativity — leaving Dak with limited tools to turn drives into touchdowns.
MVP Race 2025: Where Dak Stands
According to ESPN and Fox Sports analysts, the current MVP top 5 includes:
- Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
Josh Allen (Bills)
C.J. Stroud (Texans)
Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins)
Prescott ranks around sixth or seventh, depending on the outlet.
Still, analysts admit Dak can climb quickly — especially if the Cowboys string together multiple wins against Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles in the coming weeks.
Cowboys Fans Divided, But Hopeful
Among #CowboysNation, reactions are mixed.
Some fans think Orlovsky is being unfair:
“Dak can’t do it all. Give him a healthy defense and better play-calling — you’ll see an MVP-level player.”
Others agree with the criticism:
“MVPs find a way to win. Dak’s good, but not great — not yet.”
Still, inside the Cowboys’ locker room, Prescott remains the emotional leader. Teammates praise his work ethic and composure — qualities that could fuel a late-season surge.
Week 7: A Chance for Redemption
The upcoming Week 7 matchup vs. the Commanders might be Prescott’s turning point.
A dominant win could shift the entire MVP narrative and remind the league why Dak was once considered among the most clutch quarterbacks in football.
With the offense regaining health and the home crowd behind them at AT&T Stadium, the stage is set for Prescott to silence the critics.
Dak Prescott’s Value Is Still Being Written
Numbers don’t lie — Dak Prescott is playing clean, efficient football.
But MVPs are judged by one thing above all: winning.
Until he translates stats into victories, critics will continue to question his real impact. Still, as history shows, Dak thrives under pressure — and there’s plenty of time left for him to prove everyone wrong.
“You don’t need to be perfect,” one analyst said, “you just need to win when it matters. Dak’s story isn’t finished yet.”
