In a closely contested race, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen secured his first NFL MVP award on Thursday night, edging out Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson by a mere 21 points. Allen garnered 27 first-place votes compared to Jackson's 23, marking a significant achievement in his career after being a finalist three times previously.
This victory comes despite Allen's passing yards falling short of 4,000 for the first time since 2019. However, he led the league with a remarkable 77.4 total QBR and contributed significantly with 28 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing touchdowns. While some, like Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden, questioned the decision, suggesting Allen might have benefited from sympathy votes given Jackson's recent MVP win, Allen's performance undoubtedly played a key role in the Bills' dominant division win, even after trading away star receiver Stefon Diggs.
Jackson, the reigning MVP, had a statistically impressive season, surpassing 4,000 passing yards for the first time and throwing 40 touchdowns. This statistical dominance sparked debate about the MVP selection, especially considering Jackson received more first-team All-Pro votes. This marks the first instance since 1987 where the first-team All-Pro quarterback did not win the MVP award.
The Bills clinched the AFC East early in the season, showcasing their strength with Allen at the helm. While Allen received 22 second-place votes and a single third-place vote, Jackson secured 26 second-place votes and a fourth-place vote. This tight race highlights the impressive performances of both quarterbacks and fuels the ongoing discussion about the merits of their respective seasons.
