Dak Prescott didn’t exactly light up the 49ers on Sunday.
The Cowboys quarterback completed just 23 of 43 passes for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and rushed four times for 27 yards and another score. The performance wasn’t enough for Dallas to edge out San Francisco in the wild card round as the 49ers won 23-17.
But it was enough for Prescott to earn a prestigious honor. Nickelodeon named him the game’s NVP during the showdown broadcast.
This is the second postseason Nickelodeon has broadcast a game, and the second year the award has been given to a quarterback. More specifically, it’s the second year the award has gone to the losing team’s QB.
Last year, when the Bears lost 21-9 to the Saints, Chicago quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was named NVP. Trubisky completed 19 of 29 passes for 199 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
The award is voted for by fans, which could explain why the quarterback of a winning playoff team hasn’t received it yet. It was also awarded to players during the regular season, with the vote most often reflecting the on-field success of the recipients.
Prescott has received the honor before. In Week 4 of the regular season, he was voted NVP after completing 63.6 percent of his passes for 188 yards and four touchdowns in a 36-28 win against the Panthers.
But taking home the honor in the postseason carries a bit more weight. Trubisky’s professional football reference page references him, along with his only Pro Bowl honor.
Prescott will now be able to add his NVP to the top of your page, along with his two Pro Bowl selections and the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year honor.