MVP! Josh Allen Captures Coveted Award in Stunning Upset
In one of the most unexpected twists of the NFL Honors ceremony in New Orleans, Buffalo Josh Allen walked away with the 2024 NFL MVP award, beating out Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson in an incredibly tight race.
Most people assumed Jackson was the frontrunner after being named first-team All-Pro quarterback, but Allen’s incredible leadership and ability to carry the Bills to success without top-tier weapons on offense won over voters.
Breaking a Rare Trend
Allen’s win is historic. He’s the first player in 21 years to win MVP without being named first-team All-Pro. Only John Elway (1987) and Steve McNair (2003) had done that before him.
What made this MVP battle so intense was how close the final voting was. Out of the 50 first-place votes, Allen got 27, while Jackson took 23. The final points tally had Allen with 383 points and Jackson with 362—one of the closest MVP races in history.
Here’s how the voting played out:
| Player | First-Place Votes | Total Points |
| Josh Allen | 27 | 383 |
| Lamar Jackson | 23 | 362 |
| Saquon Barkley | 0 | 120 |
| Joe Burrow | 0 | 82 |
| Jared Goff | 0 | 47 |
This was the closest MVP race since 2016, when Matt Ryan barely edged out Tom Brady.
Allen’s Speech: A Humble Winner
Allen, holding the MVP trophy, made it clear that this award wasn’t just about him:
“This might be an individual award, but it’s a reflection of our team’s success. I wouldn’t be standing here without my guys.”
He also gave props to his competitors, especially Jackson:
“Every finalist had a season worthy of this award. Any of them could be standing here right now, and it would be deserved.”
Why Allen Won Over Jackson
Statistically speaking, Jackson had a better season. He threw for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns, and rushed for over 900 yards—making history as the first player ever to hit those numbers in one season.
His 119.6 passer rating was also the fourth-best in NFL history, behind only legendary MVP seasons from Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning.
So why did Allen win? It came down to his impact on the Bills despite losing key weapons. Without Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Allen still led Buffalo to a 13-4 record and an AFC East title.
His numbers weren’t as flashy, but they were still elite:
- 28 passing touchdowns
- 12 rushing touchdowns
- Only 6 interceptions
Bills coach Sean McDermott summed it up best:
“What Josh did this season wasn’t just about numbers—it was about leadership. He carried this team when we needed him most.”
Offensive Player of the Year: Saquon Barkley’s Monster Season
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley dominated the season and took home the Offensive Player of the Year award. He rushed for over 2,000 yards, nearly breaking Eric Dickerson’s all-time record.
Barkley received 35 of 50 first-place votes, with Jackson finishing second.
Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Surtain II Locks It Down
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II won Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first corner to win the award in five years.
He allowed just two touchdowns all season and held opposing receivers to only 306 yards—one of the best shutdown performances in recent memory.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jayden Daniels’ Incredible Debut
Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels had a rookie season for the ages. He took a 4-13 Commanders team from last year and led them to a 12-5 record and an NFC Championship appearance.
Daniels became the first rookie in history to throw for 3,500+ yards and rush for 800+ yards in a season. He won 49 of 50 first-place votes for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Source: Bills’ Allen wins MVP as league’s best awarded at NFL Honors
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Rams’ Jared Verse Makes an Impact
Los Angeles Rams pass-rusher Jared Verse had a huge rookie season, leading all rookies with 50 quarterback pressures and 18 QB hits.
He comfortably won Defensive Rookie of the Year with 37 first-place votes.
Comeback Player of the Year: Joe Burrow’s Resurgence
After a wrist injury ended his 2023 season, Joe Burrow came back better than ever, throwing for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns in 2024.
When accepting the award, Burrow joked:
“Winning this award once is an honor, but I’d really prefer not to be nominated for it again.”
J.K. Dobbins and Sam Darnold finished second and third in voting.
Coach of the Year: Kevin O’Connell Leads the Vikings to a Shocking 14 Wins
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell won Coach of the Year after leading his team to an unbelievable 14-3 season—despite the fact that most experts predicted they’d win only six games.
O’Connell became just the second Vikings coach ever to win this award, joining Bud Grant (1969).
Other Notable Awards
- Walter Payton Man of the Year: Jaguars’ Arik Armstead (for his work in the community)
- Assistant Coach of the Year: Ben Johnson (Lions OC)
- Salute to Service Award: 49ers’ George Kittle (for his work with the military)
Final Thoughts
The 2024 NFL Honors was a night full of surprises, but none bigger than Josh Allen taking home MVP. In a race that could have easily gone to Lamar Jackson, voters valued Allen’s leadership and ability to win despite the odds.
With this win, Allen joins Bills legends O.J. Simpson (1973) and Thurman Thomas (1991) as the only players in franchise history to win MVP.
Now, the big question is—can Allen carry this momentum into next season and bring Buffalo its first-ever Super Bowl?
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