NFL MVP has become a quarterback award, and for the 2024 regular season, the race is down to two QBs playing on wild-card playoff weekend: Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen.
While Saquon Barkley, Joe Burrow, and Ja’Marr Chase are left vying for the consolation prize of Offensive Player of the Year, Jackson and Allen stand alone as legitimate contenders for most valuable.
Jackson, who has won for the Ravens twice, including in 2023, is trying to join an exclusive all-time group of six players who have earned three or more MVPs. That will make him a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame following Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers.
Jackson is also trying to join, Brown, Favre, Manning, Rodgers, and Joe Montana as the only players to repeat as MVP. Allen, however, is positioned to play spoiler with his first such award. also hoping to become the first Bills player to win it since Thurman Thomas in 1991.
Here’s breaking down the numbers to see whether Jackson is worthier to make it three than Allen is to break through with one.
SN’S PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NFL scores | Full NFL schedule | Updated NFL bracket
Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen passing stats
| Statistic | Lamar Jackson | Josh Allen |
| Completion percentage | 66.7 | 63.6 |
| Passing yards | 4,172 | 3,731 |
| Yards per attempt | 8.8 | 7.7 |
| Passing touchdowns | 41 | 28 |
| Interceptions | 4 | 6 |
| Passer rating | 119.6 | 101.4 |
Both players started 17 games, but Jackson played in most of the Week 18 contest while Allen left after the first snap. Still, when weighing these numbers, Jackson was the better, more prolific, and efficient passer in 2024.
It’s also notable that Jackson’s positive marks are career highs, better than his MVP work in ’19 and ’23. Jackson also led the league in YPA and rating in 2023, while Burrow took home the TD and yardage crowns.
Although it’s admirable Allen threw a career-low six interceptions, none of his other marks are career bests or 2024 league-bests. When looking at the side-by-side numbers without considering to whom they belong, Jackson should have the edge. But can Allen make up ground on the ground?
MORE 2025 NFL PLAYOFF NEWS:
Leave a Reply