The NFL MVP debate has reached peak chaos, and Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown just poured gasoline on the fire. As the discourse swirls around Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, Brown couldn’t resist wading into the fray, throwing his full support behind his quarterback—but in a way that made it clear he’s more focused on being a good teammate than making an airtight argument.
“I just feel bad for a guy that’s done everything right,” Brown said of Allen. “This is his consecutive year putting up 40-plus touchdowns, and everyone’s going to say that statistically the other guy should win. If you rewind back to last year, Josh had every statistic, and still won.”
Asked Bills right tackle Spencer Brown about the MVP conversation and some of the crazy takes out there. Here's his full response @WKBW pic.twitter.com/eNikAkDo1E
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) December 27, 2024
First things first: Josh Allen had a spectacular year last season, but he did not "have every statistic." Allen had 18 interceptions and trailed Lamar in passing yards per attempt (8 to 7.4), rushing yards (821 to 524), and passer rating (102.7 to 92.2). Allen's passer rating this year is still lower than Lamar's last year.
It’s a bold take, especially given the actual numbers. Jackson didn’t just win MVP last year—he won by a landslide, receiving 49 of 50 first-place votes. And this season, his case is even stronger. Brown’s effort to dismiss Jackson’s brilliance doesn’t just miss the mark; it highlights just how special Jackson’s campaign has been.
Lamar Jackson is having one of the most special seasons in NFL history
Let’s be clear: Josh Allen is having a fantastic season, but Lamar Jackson is rewriting the record books. Jackson has 39 touchdown passes, 3,955 passing yards, and 852 rushing yards while leading the Ravens to an 11-5 record and first place in the AFC North.
He’s on pace to finish with one of the highest passer ratings in NFL history (121.6) and leads the league in nearly every meaningful passing efficiency category. He's also challenging everyone who wrote off the race earlier on in the season.
Brown’s claim that Allen has “done everything right” while Jackson benefits from circumstances falls apart under even light scrutiny.
Allen may have lost Stefon Diggs, and the Ravens’ offense may feature Derrick Henry, but that hasn’t diminished Jackson’s role as the engine driving the team’s success. Jackson’s historic Christmas Day performance against the Houston Texans—where he became the NFL’s all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks—showcased his unparalleled dual-threat ability.
By the numbers:
- Jackson has 852 rushing yards to Allen’s 514.
- Jackson has thrown four interceptions this season; Allen has six.
- Jackson has thrown 39 touchdown passes to Allen's 26.
- Jackson leads Allen in passer rating (121.6 vs. 101.2)—Jackson's 121.6 passer rating would be the second-highest in NFL history.
Brown’s attempt to frame Jackson’s candidacy as somehow less legitimate because the Bills weren't supposed to win their division is comical—the New England Patriots are 3-13, the New York Jets are 4-11, and the Miami Dolphins are 7-8 (none of them will make the playoffs). What an incredible feat, Buffalo. Way to make sure the people understand how difficult the AFC East is, Spencer.
This season isn’t just about stats, but if it were, Jackson crushes Allen in just about every single one of them. And let’s not forget: Jackson’s Ravens dismantled Allen’s Bills in a head-to-head matchup back in Week 4, a 35-10 rout that further underscored Jackson’s dominance. Also, the Ravens eviscerated the Texans 31-2, the same team Josh Allen lost to in Week 5, 23-20.
Let’s not forget that Lamar's MVP performance last year wasn't incredible (from a statistical standpoint). However, Allen finished fifth in the voting last year. It wasn’t some razor-thin contest like other years—Jackson dominated the results, taking 49 of 50 first-place votes, while Allen managed just one.
It’s fair for Bills players and fans to rally around their quarterback, especially during an MVP-worthy season like this one. But if they’re going to make a case, they should at least be objective.
Ultimately, Spencer Brown’s loyalty to his quarterback is admirable, but his argument is riddled with contradictions. It’s fine to root for your guy, but when the debate is about who deserves to be MVP, the numbers—and the performances—don’t lie. Lamar Jackson is literally in a league of his own.