Joe Burrow is closing in on Dak Prescott for Comeback Player of the Year

Watch out, Dak. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is ready to swoop in for the Comeback Player of the Year award in 2021.

It’s only fitting that the eventually winner of the CPOY wins by a comeback, no?

Throughout the 2021 season, Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott has remained the favorite to win the award, and currently, he still is. According to WynnBET, Prescott’s odds to win the award are -140.

But Burrow is right up there with him.

Joe Burrow comes in at +105, while Nick Bosa and Carson Wentz trail far behind at +5000 and +15000 respectively.

Both Prescott and Burrow suffered season-ending injuries in 2020, and both have similarly catapulted into league-wide fame this season.

The Cowboys quarterback led his team to the top of the NFC East with an 11-5 record, throwing for 4,154 yards and 32 touchdowns.

The Bengals quarterback also led his team to clinch the grittier AFC North with a 10-6 record, throwing for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns. Burrow, however, has the edge in pass completion rate having recorded a league-leading 70.4 percent.

Compared side by side, Prescott and Burrow’s 2021 seasons share quite a few parallels because their teams offensively match up pretty well. Each signal-caller has a trusty wide receiver room filled with talented targets, a workhorse running back, and a solid defense.

Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow makes a late run for CPOY award

Both merit CPOY consideration, but Burrow’s dazzling Week 17 performance against the Chiefs has allowed him to catch up to Prescott.

Taking a closer look at each quarterback’s recent games will reveal Burrow emerging as a legitimate contender for CPOY.

Prescott threw eight touchdowns in his last three games; Burrow threw nine.

Prescott was always going to win the weak NFC East, but Burrow clawed his way to the top of the AFC North while fending off worthy competitors in the Ravens and Steelers.

Burrow also threw for 446 yards and 525 yards in his last two matchups, one of which was a resolute triumph over the Super Bowl-contending Kansas City Chiefs.

Dallas beat up sub-0.500 teams comfortably, but when it came to Week 17, Prescott couldn’t rally his squad to victory against a well-organized Cardinals team.

At the end of the day, the Cowboys rule America — their fanbase, that is — and more people may be clamoring for Prescott to win the award.

But Burrow’s 2021 journey more so embodies the rags-to-riches underdog tale of an often discredited Bengals team that’s now taking a seat at the adult table.

Burrow may still not be the favorite for the Comeback Player of the Year award, but he’ll always be the comeback kid, the Joey Franchise, in our hearts.