Josh Allen has catapulted himself to the forefront of the MVP race after a stunning performance on Monday Night Football, where he led the Buffalo Bills to a decisive 47-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Throwing for 263 yards and four touchdowns, Allen has overtaken Patrick Mahomes, now sitting as a +225 favorite for the MVP award, with Mahomes slightly behind at +260.
This season, Allen has proven to be a standout quarterback, leading the NFL in passer rating and total quarterback rating, while ranking second in completion percentage. Concerns surrounding the Bills’ offense at the start of the season, specifically about how Allen would fare without Stefon Diggs and whether his decision-making would improve, have quickly dissipated.
Despite Diggs’ absence, Allen’s ability to throw receivers open has kept the offense humming. He has effectively distributed the ball among his targets, with wide receiver Khalil Shakir leading the team with 14 receptions and running back James Cook contributing eight catches. This balanced attack showcases Allen’s versatility and adaptability as a playmaker.
Allen’s decision making has vastly improved
One of the most encouraging signs for the Bills is Allen’s enhanced decision-making. He currently boasts the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in the league, throwing seven touchdowns without a single interception.
This marks a significant improvement from the previous season, where he threw 18 interceptions, second only to Sam Howell of the Commanders. His willingness to push the ball downfield while making smart choices has elevated the overall performance of the Buffalo offense.
With a perfect 3-0 record, the Bills are positioned strongly in the Super Bowl race, holding the third-best odds at +800, following the Chiefs and the 49ers. In a league where many teams are grappling with quarterback inconsistencies, Buffalo can rely on one of the top signal-callers in the game. The Bills are averaging an impressive 37.3 points per game, underscoring their offensive firepower.
Although Allen has been an MVP finalist in 2020, 2022, and 2023, he has yet to claim the award. However, his current performance places him in prime contention once again. Other candidates include C.J. Stroud at +1300, Jalen Hurts at +1600, and Aaron Rodgers at +1800, but they lag behind the top two quarterbacks.
For Allen, Mahomes has historically been a playoff obstacle, as the Chiefs have ended the Bills’ postseason dreams in three of the last four years. However, the opportunity for Allen to secure an MVP trophy looms large, and as the season unfolds, all eyes will be on the two quarterbacks and their pursuit of the prestigious award.
