Peyton Manning Reveals Thoughts On 'MVP' Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys' Playoff Odds

Dak Prescott put together an MVP campaign for the Dallas Cowboys in 2013. What does five-time MVP Peyton Manning have to say about the playoff-bound passer?

The Dallas Cowboys are a legitimate Super Bowl competitor, and they’ll head into the playoffs with an advantage, even without the top seed in the NFC. Quarterback Dak Prescott is playing MVP-level football, and – as the best quarterback in the conference – gives America’s Team a shot against any team in the league.

Overcoming the vaunted San Francisco 49ers is the final hurdle in reigning supreme over the conference, but Prescott’s post-bye hot streak gives Dallas the confidence it lacked in Week 5. Who knows if it will be enough, but Prescott’s play is reason enough to believe things can be different.

Simply put, the Cowboys will go as far as their quarterback takes them.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

On “This Is Football,” five-time MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning spoke about Prescott and what he means to this team.

“If the Cowboys play well in the playoffs it’s because Dak is doing the same things he’s done all season,” Manning said. “He’s been calm, just collected in the moment.”

It has long been known that Prescott has the character to be a franchise quarterback. Few, if any, deal with as much (mostly unwarranted) criticism and your least favorite television pundit wants you to forget how hard it is to sustain the success Prescott has.

Nevertheless, he quieted doubters in the second half of the season, elevating the offense to elite territory while – with the help of the Philadelphia Eagles’ collapse – winning the NFC East.

“Dak Prescott takes a lot of heat, heat comes his way. I think that comes with playing quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys,” Manning said. “I think he wants that. He wants that platform. He handles it so well. He handles the positives, he handles the negatives. I think Dak just stays pretty even-keel, which is the best quality of a quarterback in the NFL, especially playing in a place like Dallas … It just serves you well if you don’t go through this rollercoaster.”

Peyton Manning and Dak Prescott

He’s handled the scrutiny well, but he’s handled opposing defenses, too.

In 2023, he set career-highs in completion percentage (69.5 percent) and passer rating (105.9), while leading the league in touchdown passes (36). He’s thrown for 4,516 yards in the process and limited himself to just nine interceptions.

Part of his high-octane performance has siphoned targets to star receiver CeeDee Lamb. Creating one of the elite quarterback-receiver duos in the sport, the two are primed for a big game in Arlington on Sunday, when the Green Bay Packers visit during Wild Card Weekend.

“He’s played extremely well. He and CeeDee Lamb seem to have a special thing going,” Manning said. “I think for the two of them to keep that connection going, hitting some of those explosive plays, that plays that just shorten those drives.”

Garrett on Dak and Lamb: ‘Best QB/WR Combination in the NFL!'

Lamb finished the regular season with an astounding 181 targets for a league-leading 135 catches – good for 1,749 yards and a dozen touchdowns. If it wasn’t already clear, he’s going to set the market at receiver very soon.

Manning had plenty of praise for the dynamic duo, though he knows as well as anyone that autumn numbers, no matter how special, are futile in comparison to a Lombardi Trophy.

“I’m pulling for Dak. He’s had a heck of a year,” Manning concluded. “He’s in that MVP running, deservedly so, and I’m hoping he has a good run here in this postseason.”