When you think about the NFL MVP race, two names come to mind this season: Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. They’re like the Marvel vs. DC of quarterbacks—each has their own fan club, strengths, and let’s be honest, flaws that people love to argue over. But wait, there’s a third contender sneaking into the conversation: Saquon Barkley. Let’s break it down.
The Stats Don’t Lie… Except When They Do
Josh Allen is doing what Josh Allen does best—putting up ridiculous numbers and then occasionally making you question everything you thought you knew about football. Through the season so far, Allen has amassed impressive passing yards, touchdowns, and a few too many interceptions. He’s like that kid in school who aces every test but occasionally trips walking up the stairs. With a cannon for an arm and an ability to bulldoze defenders like he’s auditioning for a spot on the Bills’ defensive line, Allen has proven why he’s a perennial MVP candidate.
Then there’s Lamar Jackson, who plays quarterback like he’s in a Madden game with cheat codes. He’s got the Ravens flying high with his dual-threat game. Passing? Check. Rushing? Double check. Dancing around defenders like they owe him money? Absolutely. Jackson’s stats may not scream “pocket passer” excellence, but his game is a symphony of chaos that leaves defenses in shambles. He’s the most electrifying player in the league, and it’s not even close.
And here comes Saquon Barkley, reminding everyone that running backs still matter in the MVP race. Barkley has been an absolute workhorse for the Giants, carrying the team’s offense on his back like he’s in a “Lord of the Rings” epic. With his ability to break tackles, turn short gains into highlight-reel runs, and dominate in both the rushing and receiving game, Barkley has made a strong case for why the MVP shouldn’t just be a quarterback’s trophy.
MVP Front-Runner? It Depends on the Day
If we’re calling it right now, Lamar Jackson might edge ahead as the MVP favorite. Why? Because he’s got that narrative juice. The Ravens have been winning close games, and Jackson’s heroics have been front and center. He’s the comeback king, the highlight reel machine, and let’s face it, voters love a good story.
Josh Allen, meanwhile, has the numbers but not always the consistency. The Bills have dropped some head-scratchers this season (seriously, how did they lose that game?), and Allen’s occasional lapses in judgment—looking at you, red-zone picks—don’t help his case. But if he goes on a tear in the back half of the season, don’t count him out. The MVP race is a fickle beast.
And let’s not sleep on Barkley. If the Giants somehow find their way into playoff contention on the back of his insane production, it’ll be hard to ignore his impact. He’s carrying the team in ways that are reminiscent of vintage Adrian Peterson or LaDainian Tomlinson seasons. Voters might just decide it’s time for a non-QB to take the crown.
Postseason Woes: The Elephant in the Room
Here’s where it gets fun—or painful, depending on which fan base you belong to. Both the Bills and Ravens have a knack for doing the NFL equivalent of leaving the stove on in the postseason. The Bills have Allen playing hero ball only to fall short when it matters most. The Ravens? They’ve got Jackson, whose postseason performances often leave fans asking, “What happened to the guy from the regular season?”
The Giants haven’t exactly been postseason regulars lately, but if Barkley drags them into the dance, all bets are off. Still, history tells us that teams relying heavily on one superstar tend to flame out. Whether it’s Allen, Jackson, or Barkley, someone’s postseason heartbreak is practically inevitable.
But What About Saquon?! So, Who Ya Got?
If you’re asking who’s better right now, it’s a coin toss. Lamar Jackson has the edge in style points and narrative momentum, while Josh Allen has the raw stats and physicality to dominate any game. And Saquon Barkley? He’s the wildcard, the guy who’s proving that running backs can still be MVP-worthy in a league obsessed with quarterbacks.
MVP? It’ll come down to who can avoid those “What was he thinking?” moments in the season’s second half. Postseason success? That’s an entirely different conversation—and one neither Allen, Jackson, nor Barkley has really solved yet.
But hey, at least we get to watch them try.
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