MVP Watch: Prescott, Goff Climb Week 5 Ladder

After four weeks of the 2026 season, this article updates its MVP power rankings based on each player's value to his team. Dak Prescott is included despite Dallas's defensive issues, and Jared Goff is noted for throwing nine touchdowns without an interception. The rankings are presented as a weekly stepladder ahead of Week 5.
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After four weeks of the 2026 NFL season, this weekly MVP stepladder weighs each candidate by his importance to his team in the current campaign. Dak Prescott sits tenth. Dallas's offense has performed well, but its defense and injured secondary have held the club back; the piece argues an ordinary quarterback would leave the Cowboys winless or nearly so. Prescott's efficient passing has kept Dallas competitive and could earn MVP consideration.
Jared Goff ranks ninth. Through four games, he has nine touchdown throws and no interceptions. Detroit's defense has struggled badly, making Goff's efficient play the main reason the Lions remain afloat. The article suggests he could enter MVP discussion if Detroit improves and wins enough, perhaps needing an NFC North title to seriously contend.
Count words? First para: After(1) four2 weeks3 of4 the5 2026(6) NFL7 season8, this9 weekly10 MVP11 stepladder12 weighs13 each14 candidate15 by16 his17 importance18 to19 his20 team21 in22 the23 current24 campaign25. Dak26 Prescott27 sits28 tenth29. Dallas's30 offense31 has32 performed33 well34, but35 its36 defense37 and38 injured39 secondary40 have41 held42 the43 club44 back45; the46 piece47 argues48 an49 ordinary50 quarterback51 would52 leave53 the54 Cowboys55 winless56 or57 nearly58 so59. Prescott's60 efficient61 passing62 has63 kept64 Dallas65 competitive66 and67 could68 earn69 MVP70 consideration71. Second: Jared1 Goff2 ranks3 ninth4. Through5 four6 games7, he8 has9 nine10 touchd