In a battle of two high-caliber quarterbacks on Sunday, it was Buffalo Bills signal-caller Josh Allen that was the star. Coming into the game, Russell Wilson was the odds-on favorite to win the NFL MVP. He still may be the top of the class, but it is hard to ignore the eye-popping numbers that Allen put up.
Let Josh cook
Josh Allen finished his afternoon 31/38 for 415 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. The lack of turnovers played a key role in the Bills’ 44-34 win, as Wilson turned the ball over four times himself. Going into Sunday, it seemed as if the only way the Bills would beat the Seahawks was to outpace their offense. Allen did just that. It started with a 25-yard dime to Isaiah McKenzie on the Bills’ first drive that gave Buffalo a 7-0 lead and ended 34 points later in their biggest win of the year. There’s also this number from CBS Sports.
Josh Allen for MVP?
The Josh Allen for MVP train seemed to slow down after the first four weeks of the season. But this performance may put him back in the conversation, especially with Russ struggling a bit lately. Allen now ranks 3rd in yards (2,589), is t-1st for games with over 300 passing yards (5), sixth in completion percentage (68.9%), sixth in touchdowns (19) and has thrown just five picks.
When looking at MVP leaders of the past, they often lead teams that are having a great season overall. Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Matt Ryan, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson fit this bill. Buffalo is currently 7-2 and are on pace for their best season since 1993 when they went 12-4. They are also on pace to win the AFC East for the first time since 1995. Allen has the narrative and the numbers to back it up.
Final thoughts
This is not necessarily an argument that Allen will win MVP. It is rather a commentary on many giving up on him after a couple of down weeks and him rising to the challenge, going score for score and beyond with Russell Wilson. Four of the Bills’ final seven games come against teams in the bottom half of the league against the pass. OC Brain Daboll has committed to airing the ball out for four straight quarters in similar matchups, like on Sunday against Seattle.
Right now, you can get Allen winning MVP at +2975. Those numbers seem too good to pass up, especially with no clear frontrunner. The Bills have found their franchise quarterback.
Let Josh cook.