The MVP race was always between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. Saquon Barkley and Joe Burrow received votes but Jackson and Allen couldn’t be caught.

How Close Was The MVP Race?

Josh Allen’s MVP win certainly gives him some confidence going into next season.

Josh Allen gives MVP speech

He needed to perform at a high level without Stefon Diggs, and he did. Allen threw for 3,731 yards with 28 TDs and six interceptions. He not only did damage through the air but also on the ground. He ran for 531 yards while getting into the end zone 12 times. Most notably, there was the toss back to him by Amari Cooper from seven yards out that he ran in for the score. Josh Allen’s MVP ability flashed at times, showing why he is one of football’s best.

This was always a two-horse race, and Lamar Jackson was that second horse.

Josh Allen’s MVP season doesn’t diminish what Jackson did for Baltimore. He threw for an astounding 4,172 yards with 41 TDs and only four interceptions. On paper, this should have been an easy win for Lamar. The thing is that Josh Allen lost Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, two of his top receivers, and still gave the Bills a chance to go to the Super Bowl. This isn’t to dismiss Lamar’s great season; it is simply to acknowledge Josh’s. He had fewer weapons around him and still was able to succeed.

The race ended with first-time MVP Josh Allen getting 27 first-place votes out of 50. Lamar finished with 23 first-place votes. As expected, the race was extremely close, with many people debating the winner. Some say that Lamar should have won simply based on stats. They certainly have a point, as Lamar Jackson beat Josh Allen in all major categories. Jackson would have won this award any other year, but Josh Allen proved he could do more with less.

Will Josh Allen Always Be Known As A Good QB But Not Great?

The great QBs win Super Bowls: Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, etc. Josh Allen sadly, has not won a Super Bowl in his seven-year NFL career. So is the Bills QB only going to have regular-season accolades to show for it, or will he finally get over the hump and get a Super Bowl? There certainly is evidence he has what it takes to get there. He took the Bills to the AFC Championship Game this past season, even though they lost. This is Josh Allen’s first MVP and likely won’t be his last, but he would trade that award for a Super Bowl trophy in a heartbeat.

Allen certainly is a good QB in the league, but will he ever earn the title of great or even elite? That remains to be seen, but this MVP award is a good start on the path to greatness. He is 28 years old, so he has probably 10+ years remaining in his career, which certainly enough time to win a few Super Bowls. That is easier said than done with the Kansas City Chiefs in his path. Mahomes and Allen have developed a great rivalry over the years and the former is going for a three-peat.

End Of My Josh Allen Rant

Josh Allen won the first MVP award of his career, beating out Lamar Jackson and others. He certainly deserved it with the cast of characters he had and led to the AFC Championship Game. Next year, we will see if he can take the next step and win a Super Bowl trophy. The Buffalo Bills have a good one on their hands; hopefully, they don’t let his talents go to waste.

Read More NFL News From Stadium Rant Here: NFL News