Josh Allen, the quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, achieved a surprising victory on Thursday night at the NFL Honors show by being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2024 regular season. This win marked the first time Allen has received this prestigious award, beating out Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP winner.
Allen’s MVP Win
Throughout the season, Allen was a frontrunner for the MVP award, maintaining the best odds late into the season. However, Jackson managed to overtake him as the leader after a strong final stretch of games. The vote between Allen and Jackson was a close one, with Allen ultimately edging out Jackson by four first-place points. Other finalists for the MVP award included Saquon Barkley, Joe Burrow, and Jared Goff.
It was a fitting outcome that Allen secured a narrow victory over Jackson in the MVP race, considering the intense matchup between their teams during the AFC Divisional Round. Allen led the Bills to a close victory over Jackson’s Ravens by just two points, marking the first time in history that the winner and the runner-up for MVP faced off in the divisional round.
Despite not leading the league in stats, Allen was a crucial force for the Buffalo offense, guiding them to a 13-3 record in the games he played the majority of. His leadership and performance on the field were instrumental in the team’s success, especially after many had expected a decline following the trade of Stefon Diggs. Allen’s mantra of an “everyone eats” approach resonated with his team, as he threw for 3,731 yards, 28 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while also contributing 531 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
One of the standout moments of Allen’s season was in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he rushed for a 26-yard touchdown to secure a crucial win for the Bills. This victory marked the only game the Chiefs lost with Patrick Mahomes starting that season. Although Allen fell short in the AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, his MVP win solidified his place as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
Other Awards and Recognitions
The NFL Honors show also featured the presentation of other prestigious awards to standout players from the 2024 season. Saquon Barkley was named Offensive Player of the Year for his exceptional performance, leading the league with 2,005 rushing yards and breaking records along the way. Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II received the Defensive Player of the Year award, showcasing his prowess on the field with 45 tackles and four interceptions.
Joe Burrow was recognized as the Comeback Player of the Year, bouncing back from a wrist injury to lead the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. The Offensive Rookie of the Year award went to Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, while linebacker Jared Verse received the Defensive Rookie of the Year award for his impactful debut season with the Los Angeles Rams.
Furthermore, Kevin O’Connell was honored as Coach of the Year for his exceptional leadership in guiding the Minnesota Vikings to a surprising 14-3 record and a playoff berth. The ceremony also celebrated other notable awards, including the Salute to Service Award, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
In addition, various players were recognized for their outstanding performances, such as George Kittle, the recipient of the Salute to Service Award, and Josh Allen, who received the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. The event highlighted the talent and dedication of players across the league, showcasing their remarkable achievements and contributions to the sport of football.
