Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Of course Josh Allen should win the NFL's Most Valuable Player award this season. This is a no-brainer.
The Bills quarterback is having his best season, even if it isn't reflected in his stats.
If the voters just go by stats, Allen wouldn't even be in the discussion. Going into Week 14, Allen is ranked just 14th in total passing yards, 16th in passing yards per-game, 20th in completion percentage, and has the sixth-most passing touchdowns.
In fact, some of his numbers are on pace to be the lowest since 2019, his first season as the full-time starter.
But obviously, Allen's season is about much more than what his stats are showing.
Amidst a lot of offseason change, Allen is the constant and the biggest reason why the Bills are 10-2, winners of a fifth-straight AFC East title, and in the race for the 1-seed in the AFC.
Let's do a quick recap of the player losses this past spring:
- The Bills traded No. 1 wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
- No. 2 wideout Gabe Davis left in free agency.
- Buffalo released starting center Mitch Morse.
The departures of Diggs and Davis were part of an almost complete overhaul of the wide receiver room. The wide receivers who were not back for this season accounted for 51% of receptions, 53% of receiving yards and 58% of the touchdown catches in 2023.
Diggs and Davis combined for 152 catches, 1,929 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.
The release of the veteran center Morse created two changes on the starting offensive line. Connor McGovern, who started at left guard last season, was shifted to center, while David Edwards went from a reserve player in 2023 to a starter in 2024.
Those personnel changes were minor, compared to what took place on the defensive side of the ball:
- Pass rusher Leonard Floyd, who led the team in sacks last season, left in free agency.
- Cornerback Tre'Davious White was released.
- Safety Jordan Poyer was released.
- Safety Micah Hyde did not re-sign with the Bills, and has contemplated retirement.
The Bills' best defensive player, Matt Milano, was injured in training camp. Taron Johnson, one of the best nickel corners in the NFL, went down in Week 1. Linebacker Terrel Bernard, who had a breakout 2023 season, was also sidelined in Week 2.
Despite all of that, the Bills have won seven-straight games, and are 10-2 for the first time since 1991.
Allen is still leading one of the most explosive offenses in the league.
The Bills are second in scoring, averaging 29.5 points a game. Only the Detroit Lions are better with an average of 31.9 points.
Buffalo has scored 30-or-more points in nine of their 12 games this season. If they do that one more time, it will be a franchise single-season record.
Allen has been in the MVP race before. He finished second in 2020 behind Aaron Rodgers, was third in 2022 behind Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, and finished fifth in last season's voting, but received the only first place vote for MVP, keeping Lamar Jackson from being voted a unanimous MVP once again.
There have been two main criticisms of Allen, despite his eye-popping stats in previous seasons: His ball security and decision making. He has improved in both of those areas this season, which is one reason why you can make the case Allen is playing his best ball.
Allen has thrown just five interceptions (yes, I know some of those weren't his fault), and has seven total turnovers. He is on pace for a career-low interception total.
The 28-year-old has also done a better job of taking what the defense has been giving him, as opposed to earlier in his career when he would make some risky throws in hopes of making a big play.
The seventh-year quarterback has been in complete command and control of the offense. At times, it looks effortless for him. Allen always has had answers for whatever opposing defenses throw at him.
While he is on pace for the second-lowest number of carries in a season in his career, his legs are still one of the most dangerous weapons for any quarterback in the league. Just ask the Kansas City Chiefs.
Which reminds me of another point to make for his case.
If voters look for signature moments as part of an MVP resume, how about Allen's victory-sealing 26-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-2 against the previously unbeaten Chiefs. How about his lateral play this past Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers?
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As I wrote earlier, Allen's numbers might not be as gaudy as they have been in recent seasons, but he is still on pace to have more passing yards, more passing touchdowns and more total touchdowns than Jackson did last season when the Baltimore Ravens quarterback walked away with MVP honors.
Many thought (myself included) the Bills might take a step back this season as they reset their roster due to salary cap management, but they are right back in the group of Super Bowl favorites. That's thanks, in large part, to No. 17 on their roster.
There is no question, in my mind, that Allen should win the NFL's MVP award in 2024.