Bills’ Josh Allen Emerges As Clear MVP Favorite After Six-Touchdown Game

After a slow and uncertain start to the NFL season, an MVP frontrunner has finally emerged. With his historic six-touchdown performance against the Rams on Sunday, Bills quarterback Josh Allen is firmly leading the pack. 

Though Buffalo’s defense no-showed in the 44-42 defeat to Los Angeles, Allen almost singlehandedly carried the AFC East leaders to another win anyway. In addition to 342 passing yards and three touchdowns, he also ran for 82 yards and scored another three on the ground. In a year of relatively unproductive offensive play, it was a statement performance that will certainly earn end-of-year consideration.

Allen may have momentum on his side, but the season is far from over. The Bills quarterback is not dominating the league in any particular category but has successfully piloted Buffalo to a 10-3 season and a presumptive playoff berth. His profile is solid, but it still needs work in the final weeks of the season. 

Meanwhile, there are plenty of MVP candidates still in the running, some relying on statistical edges and others banking on building momentum like Allen has. He’s not the only one to pilot a winning team to this point. Lamar Jackson, Jared Goff and Sam Darnold all have claims as well in this area. 

Jackson, the reigning MVP, has nearly improved on his 2023 season as the undisputed leader of a historically productive Ravens offense. Goff loses some points for benefitting from a run-heavy Lions scheme, but Detroit’s success is due in large part to his efficiency. 

Darnold is the dark horse of the group, a pleasant surprise on a resurgent Vikings team that is now 11-2 and well on its way to the postseason. Before Allen’s jaw-dropping performance against the Rams late last weekend, Darnold threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns in a commanding win over the Falcons. Similar performances in the final weeks of the season could help him build a real case.

The MVP award has historically been dominated by quarterbacks, but fans have clamored for several running backs to win the award in recent years. Many have concluded that Derrick Henry was on pace to win the award in 2021 before suffering a season-ending injury. Last year, many people called for Christian McCaffrey to beat out Jackson. This year, Saquon Barkley is the backfield darling for many fans. 

In his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Barkley has redefined himself as an elite rusher in the NFL, amassing 1,623 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns. He is on pace to shatter his previous career-best performances in nearly every category and lead the Eagles back to Super Bowl contention. The odds are against him in the MVP race, but he remains the strongest non-quarterback contender by a wide margin.