{"id":191319,"date":"2024-09-24T15:30:14","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T19:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=191319"},"modified":"2024-09-24T13:03:07","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T17:03:07","slug":"josh-allen-mvp-biggest-hurdles-buffalo-bills-qb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/09\/24\/josh-allen-mvp-biggest-hurdles-buffalo-bills-qb\/","title":{"rendered":"Josh Allen: Biggest Hurdles in Buffalo Bills QB&#8217;s MVP Pursuit"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen carved up the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/jaguars\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> to the tune of 307 total yards of offense and four touchdowns on Monday night, and he didn&#8217;t even attempt a pass in the fourth quarter of the 47-10 rout at Highmark Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>Allen&#8217;s dominant display makes him the unquestioned early leader of the NFL Most Valuable Player race. The 2018 first-round pick has been a constant presence in the MVP conversation in recent years, but he&#8217;s yet to capture the league&#8217;s highest individual honor. His best finish in the voting was second in 2020.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">.<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BuffaloBills?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@BuffaloBills<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JoshAllenQB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@JoshAllenQB<\/a> is easily the early MVP of this Biz; and he is making it look easy. Coaching matters.  Power to OC; Joe Brady and a big sturdy offensive line coached by Aaron Kromer. <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BillsMafia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#BillsMafia<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BaldysBreakdowns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#BaldysBreakdowns<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4dNp1q2z1y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/4dNp1q2z1y<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BaldyNFL\/status\/1838551996955050041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 24, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>While the face of the Bills franchise is off to a near-perfect start, it&#8217;s only Week 4. A lot of challenges must still be conquered if he&#8217;s going to capture the award at season&#8217;s end amid competition from <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/chiefs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> counterpart <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/08\/21\/chiefs-mahomes-doucette-flag-football-olympics\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Patrick Mahomes<\/a>, among others.<\/p>\n<h2>Josh Allen&#8217;s Biggest Obstacles in MVP Quest<\/h2>\n<h3>Bills Schedule<\/h3>\n<p>Buffalo entered the 2024 season with the league&#8217;s seventh-toughest strength of schedule, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharpfootballanalysis.com\/analysis\/nfl-strength-of-schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sharp Football Analysis<\/a>. Allen and Co. are about to enter the teeth of that difficult slate.<\/p>\n<p>The Bills are set to embark on a three-game road trip featuring matchups against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/ravens\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Baltimore Ravens<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/texans\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Houston Texans, <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/jets\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">New York Jets<\/a>. It&#8217;s one of the toughest, if not the singular toughest stretches any NFL team will face during the current campaign.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">There\u2019s the Buffalo Bills, and then there\u2019s everyone else.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s Josh Allen, and then there\u2019s everyone else. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/D3LMdKX01e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/D3LMdKX01e<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Adam (@adampensel) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/adampensel\/status\/1838532241384763801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 24, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Their list of formidable opponents doesn&#8217;t end there, either. Allen and his teammates face road tests that include the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/seahawks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Seattle Seahawks<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/rams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Rams<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/lions\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Lions<\/a>. They also have back-to-back home games against last year&#8217;s Super Bowl combatants, the Chiefs and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/49ers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">San Francisco 49ers<\/a>, though a bye week does separate those contests.<\/p>\n<p>In other words, it&#8217;s a good thing Buffalo is stacking wins early in the season. It&#8217;s putting the team on a safe trajectory toward the playoffs, but getting the No. 1 seed will be tricky. The Chiefs are also 3-0 and face a far more favorable list of remaining opponents. So that could be an MVP edge for Mahomes.<\/p>\n<p>The Bills are still in a strong position, and having an elite QB like Allen in their corner gives them a better opportunity than most teams to survive the rugged schedule. That said, they&#8217;ve been on cruise control in the early stages of the season and that likely won&#8217;t be the case all year. There are still some ups and downs on the horizon.<\/p>\n<h3>Current and future Injuries<\/h3>\n<p>Allen suffered an injury to his non-throwing hand on a touchdown run in the Bills&#8217; Week 1 win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/cardinals\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Arizona Cardinals<\/a>. The 28-year-old University of Wyoming product has remained on the injury report ever since, but he&#8217;s been a full participant in practice and in no apparent danger of missing a game.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Cannot stop watching this <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JoshAllenQB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@JoshAllenQB<\/a> touchdown. \ud83e\udd2f<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoBills?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#GoBills<\/a> | <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BillsMafia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#BillsMafia<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xU0dd6BLOT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/xU0dd6BLOT<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BuffaloBills\/status\/1832887858320801886?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 8, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>While the hand isn&#8217;t greatly impacting his play, it&#8217;s still a factor. The <em>Monday Night Football<\/em> crew pointed out how the superstar quarterback was using his right hand on some handoffs that would typically feature the QB&#8217;s left hand. It seems like more of preventive maintenance\u2014keeping the hand out of harm&#8217;s way in a blowout\u2014rather than an inability to use the hand. The Bills aren&#8217;t going to provide any details beyond what&#8217;s listed on the injury report, though.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Sure, Josh Allen\u2019s 4 touchdowns are impressive, but how about this right-handed handoff to protect injured left hand?  <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/JCXcqJr34O\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/JCXcqJr34O<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MattParrino\/status\/1838394307792765134?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 24, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>In the bigger picture, Allen&#8217;s all-out style of play does bring more injury risk into the equation. The two-time Pro Bowler takes more hits than the average quarterback. He also isn&#8217;t afraid to initiate the contact himself while hunting a first down or touchdown.<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;s been a bit more reserved the past two weeks, sliding and running out of bounds in lieu of gaining extra yards, but those games were blowouts. What happens in a close contest when the Bills need him to put his superhero cape on? We all know the answer. Allen&#8217;s greatest strength is his fearlessness. It can also come back to haunt him at times. Injuries are the biggest downside of the latter.<\/p>\n<p>The Bills are proving they are still a Super Bowl contender when he&#8217;s on the field. They can&#8217;t afford to lose him for an extended stretch, though. An absence would also be a major blow to his MVP candidacy.<\/p>\n<h3>Lack of True No. 1 Target?<\/h3>\n<p>This one is a question rather than a definitive statement. That&#8217;s because the Bills are finding success by spreading the ball around. Here&#8217;s how many different players have been targeted by Allen in each of Buffalo&#8217;s first three games:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Week 1 vs. Arizona: 10<\/li>\n<li>Week 2 vs. Miami: 9<\/li>\n<li>Week 3 vs. Jacksonville: 10<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">if you&#39;re in line to catch a pass from josh allen, STAY IN LINE <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QTwlIo9B5l\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/QTwlIo9B5l<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; katherine fitzgerald (@kfitz134) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kfitz134\/status\/1838390153246605437?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 24, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s working. The Bills offense became stagnant last season with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/06\/07\/stefon-diggs-josh-allen-trade-bills-texans\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Stefon Diggs<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/09\/20\/jaguars-bills-preview-gabe-davis-return-buffalo-jacksonville\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Gabe Davis<\/a> eating up most of the snap share and targets at wide receiver. The team moved in a new direction with more versatility at the position, and so far it&#8217;s paying off.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps that&#8217;ll remain the case all season. The heavy wideout and tight end rotations will keep defenses off balance and Allen will continue to find the open guy.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, it&#8217;s fair to wonder what will happen as the year goes on and opposing secondaries get a better idea of how the Bills are attacking. Will the fact Buffalo doesn&#8217;t have that bona fide No. 1 weapon to target when it needs a key conversion becomes an issue? It&#8217;s possible.<\/p>\n<p>Allen and Co. have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buffalobills.com\/news\/everybody-eats-inside-the-bills-josh-allen-offensive-philosophy-in-2024-and-why-they-can-make-it-work\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">using the phrase<\/a> &#8220;everybody eats&#8221; to describe the offense. No one dominates, but everybody gets a piece of the pie. It&#8217;s far different from the Diggs Era in Buffalo. In the end, it may be the change that took the Bills offense to a new, higher level.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a question that&#8217;ll continue to hover over the unit for much of the season, though.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: [Tina MacIntyre-Yee\/Democrat and Chronicle] &#8211; USA Today Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Josh Allen took command of the NFL MVP race with a dominant showing against the Jaguars. What challenges lie ahead for the Bills quarterback?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5175,"featured_media":191344,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54,3],"tags":[7705,2599,8801],"class_list":["post-191319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorials","category-bills","tag-buffalo-bills-news","tag-josh-allen","tag-nfl-mvp"],"modified_by":"Michael Zimmelman","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/191319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5175"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=191319"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/191319\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/191344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=191319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=191319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=191319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}