By Noah Benney and Carston Hiltner
The NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is given to the player who performs the best during the regular season, factoring in individual achievements and team success. In recent years, the MVP has become synonymous with quarterbacks, and for the 2024 season, the race is down to two stars playing on Wild Card Weekend: Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen.
This debate is close for several reasons. Lamar Jackson, who already has two MVP awards (2019 and 2023), is facing off against Josh Allen, who has yet to win the prestigious honor. Team performance adds to the rivalry: Jackson’s Ravens finished the season 12-5, while Allen’s Bills posted a 13-3 record. When the two met head-to-head, however, the Ravens dominated with a decisive 35-10 victory.
Breaking Down the Stats
Lamar Jackson’s completion percentage of 66.7% edges out Josh Allen’s 63.6%. Despite having less depth at wide receiver, Jackson has outperformed Allen in several key areas. Allen has a supporting cast of Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Amari Cooper—receivers with All-Pro and Pro Bowl credentials—while Jackson has not had the same luxury throughout his career.
Yet, Jackson leads in passing yards with 4,172, compared to Allen’s 3,731. Jackson also has nearly double the number of passing touchdowns, with 41 to Allen’s 28. These statistics highlight Jackson’s efficiency and ability to thrive under pressure.
Even in the rushing game, where Derrick Henry’s dominance might seem to detract from Jackson’s MVP case, Jackson’s contributions remain impressive. Henry leads the league with 5.9 yards per carry and 16 rushing touchdowns, but Allen’s running back, James Cook, matches Henry in touchdowns and averages 4.9 yards per attempt.
A Historic Season
The Bills’ history of standout receivers has given Allen an advantage throughout his career, allowing him to take risks and boost his stats. Meanwhile, Jackson has had to work with fewer elite targets, yet he has consistently excelled. This year marked a turning point for the Ravens, as rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers became the franchise’s first All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection. With Flowers in the mix, Jackson is enjoying his best passing season yet.
The Verdict
The 2024-2025 NFL MVP race has been one of the most exciting in recent memory, with Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen trading places at the top since Week 1. However, when you dive into the stats and context, it’s clear who the real MVP is.
All information cited from NFL resources and the official NFL website.
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