The race for NFL Most Valuable Player is hitting the final stretch with just three weeks remaining in the 2024 regular season. While Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has led our MVP rankings for most of the year, a late surge by Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen has shaken up the top of the leaderboard. Let’s dive into the current state of the MVP chase.
Josh Allen Takes the Lead
Josh Allen has exploded over the past two weeks to stake his claim as MVP frontrunner. The dual-threat Bills quarterback posted back-to-back games with 300+ passing yards and multiple TDs through the air and on the ground. His sterling play has Buffalo poised for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Allen’s current MVP odds sit at a commanding -900.
Josh Allen is doing things we’ve never seen before. If he’s not the unanimous MVP, the voters aren’t paying attention.
– Rex Ryan, ESPN Analyst
Lamar Jackson Slips to Second
Lamar Jackson has carried the Ravens offense all season with his unique playmaking ability. He ranks 2nd in passing TDs (34) and 1st among QBs in rushing (743 yards). But a couple lackluster games, coinciding with Allen’s hot streak, have caused Jackson to fall to +650 odds for MVP. He’ll need a huge finish to retake the top spot.
Can a Non-QB Crash the Party?
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley is on pace for over 2,000 rushing yards, which gives him an outside shot at MVP. However, the award has become very quarterback-centric, with a QB winning 14 of the last 15 years. At +1500 odds, Barkley likely needs to break the single-season rushing record to have a chance.
Dark Horses to Watch
- Jared Goff (+2200): Helming the Lions’ high-powered offense
- Patrick Mahomes (+10000): Carrying the 13-1 Chiefs
- Joe Burrow (+8000): Leading the NFL in pass yards and TDs
With three weeks to go, the MVP race remains fluid. But Josh Allen has surged to the pole position with his scintillating recent play. Lamar Jackson and the other contenders will need to be spectacular down the stretch to prevent Allen from capturing his first MVP trophy. Stay tuned for an exciting finish to an enthralling 2024 season!
