NFL MVP Showdown: Who Deserves the Coveted Title?
With the NFL regular season coming to a close over the next two weeks, the conversation regarding yearly season awards has started to heat up. While certain award races seem to be locked up, such as Offensive Rookie of the Year, with Washington Commanders' 2024 second-overall pick, quarterback Jayden Daniels, seemingly closing the door on the race after the Commanders' comeback victory over the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles last week, who were on a 10-game win streak, one award remains hotly debated: the 2024 NFL MVP Award. Currently, the top three most likely candidates are Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP winner, and Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Although Allen remains the betting favorite at -250, with Jackson close behind at +160 and Barkley at +1200, all three candidates have had impressive seasons and legitimate arguments for why they deserve the 2024 NFL MVP title. With that said, let's break down the case for each.
Josh Allen
In his seventh NFL season, Josh Allen has silenced the doubters and exceeded most expectations set for both the Buffalo Bills and himself heading into the 2024-25 season. Despite the Bills suffering losses to key offensive weapons like receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis in the offseason, Allen has led Buffalo to the top of the AFC East Division once again for a fifth consecutive year, with a 12-3 record, in a division that many predicted the Jets or Dolphins would win instead. Allen's stellar season has kept the Bills’ offense firing on all cylinders, with the 28-year-old on pace to finish with over 4,000 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns. Plus, Allen has drastically improved on his previous propensity for interceptions, having thrown just six through 15 games this season.
On top of Allen’s impressive stats, the Bills’ star quarterback’s MVP case is also bolstered by multiple standout performances throughout the season, including impressive wins over the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Detroit Lions. Even in a loss against the Los Angeles Rams, Allen’s performance featured several highlight-reel moments worthy of MVP consideration, as he put up 42 points in the game. His dual-threat abilities have also been on display once again, with Allen having recorded a second straight season of 10 or more rushing touchdowns, with 11 so far. Allen’s ability to elevate his team’s performance, especially in the absence of star receivers, has further strengthened his case for winning the MVP award.
Lamar Jackson
After Allen appeared to be running away with the MVP race in the eyes of some voters, thanks to his wins over top playoff teams in recent weeks, the reigning MVP, Lamar Jackson, has reminded both fans and voters why it was premature to declare the race over just a couple of weeks ago. Following the Ravens' dismantling of the Houston Texans on Christmas Day, with a 31-2 victory, Jackson’s MVP case has regained significant momentum after yet another primetime performance, this time on Netflix, which was broadcast globally. Jackson’s 2024 season has been nothing short of remarkable, with the 27-year-old ranking third in the league in passing yards, needing just 45 more yards to surpass 4,000 for the season, a career first. He is also tied for the most passing touchdowns, with 39, and leads the league in yards per attempt at 8.9.
What sets the two-time MVP apart from most quarterbacks in the league is his potential to make even more NFL history than he already has this season, having already broken Michael Vick’s all-time rushing yards record for a quarterback against the Texans on Christmas. If he maintains his current pace in the Ravens' Week 18 regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns, Jackson could become the first player to reach both 4,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season; however, Jackson would need 148 more rushing yards to achieve this against the Browns. Additionally, Jackson’s passer rating of 121.6 is on track to be one of the best in NFL history, second only to former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ record set in 2011 at 122.5. His unique combination of elite passing and rushing abilities makes him a dual threat unlike any other in the NFL, presenting a strong case for MVP recognition once again.
Saquon Barkley
Lastly, we have Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley, who rounds out the top three contenders for the MVP award this season. While the MVP award has largely become a quarterback honor in recent years, with the last running back to win it being the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson in 2012, Barkley’s historic 2024 season demands serious consideration to break the trend. In his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles, after spending six years with the division-rival New York Giants and leaving in free agency due to stalled contract negotiations, the seven-year veteran has not only proven the Giants wrong but also helped to showcase why the running back position remains a crucial part of an NFL offense. Barkley has elevated his game-changing abilities to another level. Through 15 games, he has recorded 1,838 rushing yards, most in the league, and 13 touchdowns, tied for fourth-most.
With Barkley on pace to become just the ninth running back in NFL history to surpass 2,000 single-season rushing yards, the 27-year-old is also eyeing Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record with two games left to play. Barkley’s impact on the Eagles’ offense has been transformative. A season ago, without Barkley, the Eagles spiraled down the stretch, leading to a quick Wild Card exit. This year, with Barkley, they have achieved an 11-2 record, firmly positioning themselves as one of the favorites to win it all in Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans this February. If Barkley manages to break Dickerson’s record before the end of the regular season, it will be difficult for MVP voters to overlook his monumental achievement. His all-around abilities, adding 276 receiving yards and two touchdowns to his stellar rushing performance, make Barkley a dark-horse candidate for the MVP award.
