The 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player award was decided at the NFL Honors on Thursday night, with the race primarily between Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. Despite a close battle, Allen ultimately emerged victorious, edging out Jackson for the prestigious award.
Throughout the season, both quarterbacks showcased their exceptional skills, with the Bills ultimately defeating the Ravens in the Divisional Round. However, it is important to note that the MVP votes are finalized at the end of the regular season and do not take into account playoff performances.
Allen secured the MVP title with nine additional first-place votes from the All-Pro team, while Jackson lost ground with seven fewer first-place votes. Notably, one voter controversially placed Jackson fourth on their MVP ballot. In the final tally, Allen accumulated 383 points, while Jackson closely followed with 362 points in the voting system.
Jackson had an outstanding season, becoming the first quarterback to achieve 4,000 passing yards and 900 rushing yards in a single season. He finished with impressive stats of 4,712 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and only four interceptions, along with a QBR of 77.3.
On the other hand, Allen concluded the season with 3,731 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Despite his remarkable performance, the Bills fell short in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Interestingly, Jackson’s MVP snub marks a historical anomaly, as it is rare for a first-team All-Pro quarterback to miss out on the MVP award. The last instance was in 2012 when Adrian Peterson claimed the MVP title over a first-team All-Pro QB. This trend underscores the significance of Jackson’s achievement as a first-team All-Pro despite falling short in the MVP race.
Overall, the 2024 NFL MVP race between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen showcased the exceptional talent and competitiveness of both quarterbacks. While Allen emerged victorious this time, the debate surrounding the MVP award continues to spark discussions among fans and analysts.
