UKBillFan

That explains why Burrow is probably out of the running. I say probably but there seems to be a push for him of sorts. The other thing which perhaps held Josh back was Dorsey's sacking. I'm not sure if any QB has won the MVP after an OC change due to poor performance.

Is it the same voters every year? My big question would be why do stats matter this year when they weren't a priority last year.

I guess it's stats against the eye test. Stats say they're doing well. The eye test suggests something different. Yes, they were pitching a shutout against the Jets but they were getting down the field far too easily. It was individual player/coaching errors which cost the Jets, plus a couple of excellent individual plays from players on the D. It feels like, particularly since the Rams onwards, teams have drove at will on the Bills, particularly in the first half. The run defense, in particular, has looked easy to get at.

I think Zappe is an upgrade on Thompson-Robinson, but still expect the Ravens to blow the Browns out.

The offense is currently the best in the league. The defense... um...

Considering how the defense has backslid from Rams onwards (it didn't even look that good against the Jets for spells, though benefited from solo plays and odd play calling from the opposition) I do fear the only way the Bills can beat the Bengals and Ravens is via a shootout. As proven, the offense can keep up in a shootout, but it becomes something of a lottery as well.

Shocked but the right result with Josh. Shame about Cook and Brown; I think both deserve to be there. Outside of that, I understand the other choices.

Yes, sorry, should have said excluding the O Line. Was thinking about the players who receive the ball.

Other than Josh, no players from the offensive side of the ball on the list. Whilst Baltimore has a WR, TE and RB. Albeit Cook should be there, interesting point to add to the discussions about Josh and Lamar's respective weapons.

True - though he has every right to tell them where to shove it, rather than being rejected in the first place.

I've been thinking this as well. In my mind, the three AFC Pro-Bowl QBs should be Josh, Burrow and Jackson without question. But the Chiefs record will get Mahomes there again, as per usual. Would be hilarious is Josh is voted MVP but is first reserve, at best, for Pro-Bowl.

I think this is part of it as well. If Josh had been given MVP last year (personally I think McCaffrey should have got it), then the groundswell would be massively behind Lamar right now. More than it is.

This year, I would. I don't think the defense is good enough for a Super Bowl appearance, let alone victory. They're more likely to see the Bills rolled in the Divisional or Championship game. That and/or more coaching issues under pressure. Josh getting the MVP will be the least he deserves after he's, in all likelihood, let down again.

I'd still prefer them to the Bengals. Though would prefer the Broncos to both.

Thanks for this. So FOX have the frontrunner in the NFC South but CBS have the frontrunner in the AFC play off battle. Whether the injury bitten Saints or secured top seed Chiefs will care that much is something else.

Josh was tapping himself on the head after a touchdown too - think it was Cooper's rather than Coleman's. Hollins march alongside it is quite something though!

I know Kurt Warner brought up this argument before, but glad others are too. And Josh missing a game of snaps due to being benched in blowouts… https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/video/josh-allen-leads-mvp-odds-over-lamar-jacksonamid-nfl-controversy

This will be a game where both teams run the ball into their own endzone.

Logically, I would have thought the story of the AFC play offs would make more sense, rather than randomly putting Browns-Ravens on Saturday night. As suggested yesterday, have Bengals-Steelers as the early game, followed by Jets-Dolphins, then Chiefs-Broncos on the Sunday. I suppose the risk would be the Bengals and Dolphins both losing, leaving Denver with nothing to play for. But if that happened they could have still promoted Browns-Ravens, as the Ravens would need to win to claim the North.

Second year in a row it's happened to the Bills. In January 2024 the Steelers played on Saturday in week 18, whilst the Bills played Sunday night. And last year it was a game that mattered to the Bills - if they had lost, then the Dolphins would have claimed the East.

Since when has the NFL been fair? All they care about is ratings. Giants-Eagles could get moved for Barkley's record attempt but I can't see Bills-Patriots being given the same courtesy. Who would want to watch it?

https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/snap-counts/qb.php If I’m reading this right, up to last week Lamar had 955 snaps compared to Josh’s 907. Think I’m right in saying this will widen after this week’s games.

Guess the argument will be the Bills can bench their starters should they want to, whilst the Bengals/Dolphins/Broncos will have to play theirs.

Maybe. Rams-Seahawks will be a primetime game, but only if the Commanders and 49ers both lose this week. If one of them wins, it opens up a slot there too. The AFC play off path may make most sense. If the Bengals win they can promote Denver on Sunday. If the Steelers (and Jets) win, promote Baltimore

That’s true, though I’m not sure if the networks will care, as they can focus on the AFC North in the early slot and NFC South in the late. I’m also not sure which game they’d move to Saturday late otherwise. Giants at Eagles to see if Barkley gets the record against his old team? They’re not on contention for the one seed. Though if the Steelers lose, that kills any drama when it comes to the third seed. It really needs to be played alongside Browns-Ravens.