In the last two weeks, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen led the team to a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback against the Cincinnati Bengals and a 21-point comeback over the New England Patriots.
Through those last two games, Allen has completed 41-of-56 passing attempts (73.2%), recorded 570 scrimmage yards, scored seven touchdowns, and has not turned the ball over. Following the Week 14 win over the Bengals, Allen earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the 18th time in his career.
On the season, the league’s reigning MVP projects to finish the regular season completing 70% of his passes, registering 4,628 scrimmage yards, and 45 total touchdowns to 15 turnovers.
During last year’s MVP bid, Allen produced very similar numbers. The 29-year-old posted a 63.6 completion percentage, notched 4,262 scrimmage yards, 40 total touchdowns, and just six turnovers.
Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye stand out as the two other contenders in the MVP race. Stafford’s on pace to finish the season completing 66.4% of passes and 4,510 scrimmage yards, while posting 45 total touchdowns to just seven turnovers. Maye paces for a completion rate of 70.9%, 4,771 scrimmage yards, 33 total scores, and nine turnovers.
In last year’s MVP voting, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson finished second as he completed 66.7% of passes, for nearly 5,100 scrimmage yards, 45 total touchdowns, and eight turnovers. At least on paper, Jackson’s numbers eclipse or, at a minimum, compare in the same ballpark as Stafford’s and Maye’s.
The number of wins and the supporting cast also played a factor in Allen’s MVP victory last year. This year, Buffalo sits at 10-4, while the Rams and Patriots are 11-3. As for the supporting cast, arguments can be made about the lack of talent surrounding Allen in the passing game; however, the Bills have the league’s top-ranked rushing attack. Stafford benefits from arguably two of the league’s best wide receivers in Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. Maye, who doesn’t have as much star talent around him, also doesn’t have the same individual results.
According to most sportsbooks, Stafford sits roughly around a -300 favorite for MVP, while Maye and Allen hover around +400 and +500.
Although it is Stafford’s accolade to lose, three weeks of football still need to be played, and if Allen can put on the Superman cape and rally Buffalo to win the AFC East, it would be very difficult for voters to deny Allen a back-to-back MVP.
Photo Courtesy: Jaiden Tripi/Buffalo Bills and BuffaloBills.com