ClutchPoints
After Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen won the 2024 NFL MVP award, many fans claimed Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson deserved to win more. Although the commotion didn’t result in the NFL reversing their decision, there appears to be a bit of an asterisk on Allen’s MVP.
Was it winner fatigue since Jackson won in 2019 and 2023?
The 2024 season could’ve been an even greater year for Jackson, being named a three-time MVP. However, Allen won the award, putting Jackson’s third MVP on hold for now.
Whether people love or hate the decision, that won’t change a thing.
Now, Allen had an incredible season, and he was arguably the most valuable to his team. Had the Bills been playing without Allen, they likely wouldn’t be in the position they were.
However, the Bills played in five games against teams that would go on to make the playoffs. Of their 17 regular-season games, six of them were against teams picking within the top 10 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft.
On the other hand, the Ravens played 10 games against playoff teams in the 2024 regular season. Along with that, three of their 2024 opponents have a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
So, while Allen might’ve been surrounded by less talent on the roster, the Ravens had a much tougher schedule, requiring better play throughout the regular season.
If the schedule difference isn’t enough to sway the opinion of the masses, there’s more.
Yes, Derrick Henry — one of the best running backs in the NFL — accompanied Jackson in the Ravens’ offense. However — even with Henry — Jackson accounted for 5,087 of their 7,224 total yardage — or 70.4% of their offense.
So, for those claiming the Ravens only performed better because Jackson had Henry in the backfield with him, that’s far from the truth.
Did Henry help the Ravens’ offense? Of course, he did.
But, looking at how much of the offense went through Jackson, the Ravens’ quarterback deserves his flowers, too.
Now, Allen — who had a less desirable offense to work in — accounted for 4,262 of their 6,105 total yards — or 69.8% of their offense.
So, although he had fewer weapons surrounding him, he was actually responsible for a lower percentage of yardage than Jackson was.
Even with a better offense around him, Jackson was personally accountable for more yards. So, while Henry certainly helped Baltimore’s offense, Jackson was pulling more of the Ravens’ weight than Allen was for the Bills.
Each person might have their own definition of “valuable,” but it’s hard to say Jackson wasn’t more valuable to his team than Allen after seeing which quarterback was more responsible for offensive yardage.
If that isn’t enough to prove that Jackson deserved the award, there’s another argument.
**Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson both joined NFL...
